Guest Panelists for February 13th

Introducing our distinguished panelists for our Zoom Webinar

Our Moderator, Congressman James Clyburn

James E. Clyburn is the Assistant Democratic Leader in the United States House of Representatives and Chairman of the Democratic Faith Working Group. He previously served in the post from 2011 to 2018 and served as Majority Whip from 2007 to 2010 and 2019 to 2022, making him the first African American to serve multiple terms as Majority Whip. A native son of South Carolina, Clyburn has represented the state’s Sixth Congressional District since 1993.

Congressman Clyburn’s humble beginnings in Sumter, South Carolina, as the eldest son of an activist, fundamentalist minister and an independent, civic-minded beautician, grounded him securely in family, faith, and public service. A 1961 graduate of South Carolina State he began his professional career as a public-school teacher in Charleston, SC.

He later served as an employment counselor, and director of two youth and community development programs. In 1971, he joined the staff of Governor John C. West, becoming the first African American advisor to a South Carolina governor.  In 1974 Governor West appointed him South Carolina Human Affairs Commissioner where he served until 1992 when he retired from state government to run for Congress.

When he came to Congress in 1993, Congressman Clyburn was elected co-president of his freshman class. He was subsequently elected Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Vice Chair, and Chair, of the House Democratic Caucus. From 2011 to 2018, he served as Assistant Democratic Leader. In addition to serving as Whip, Congressman Clyburn chairs the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.

Congressman Clyburn has led efforts to preserve and restore historic buildings on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).  He sponsored legislation creating the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the Congaree National Park, the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park and expanding the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site to South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, DC.

Dedicated to making America’s greatness accessible and affordable for all citizens, his 10-20-30 federal funding formula – initially applied to three programs in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – has been expanded to 15 accounts of the appropriations bills. Additionally, his Rural Energy Savings Program provides loans to families and businesses to implement durable, cost-effective energy efficiency measures. His “Accessible, Affordable Broadband for All” bill was included in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill and is funded at a level of $65 billion.

The recipient of 36 honorary degrees, Congressman Clyburn numerous awards including: the Lyndon Baines Johnson Liberty and Justice for All Award in 2015; the Harry S Truman Foundation’s Good Neighbor Award in 2021; and the NAACP’s highest honor – the Spingarn Medal – in 2022. His endorsement of Joe Biden for president in 2020 is credited with boosting him to an overwhelming victory in the South Carolina and subsequent primaries and setting Biden on path to the presidency.

Congressman Clyburn and his late wife, Emily England Clyburn, met as college student protestors in an Orangeburg, South Carolina jail in 1960. The encounter led to a 58-year marriage, and they became parents of three daughters, grandparents to four grandchildren, and great grandparents to one great grandchild.

Justice Gary S. Stein

The Honorable Gary S. Stein joined Pashman Stein Walder Hayden in 2002, after serving on the New Jersey State Supreme Court for more than 17 years. During his tenure, the sixth-longest in the state Supreme Court’s history, Justice Stein wrote more than 365 published opinions. Before his tenure on the bench, Justice Stein served as director of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Planning from 1982 to 1985, during the administration of Governor Tom Kean.

Justice Stein has also written and published numerous articles about other high-profile election law issues, including gerrymandering and the Voting Rights Act. He helped lead the New Jersey State Bar Association’s efforts to assure that the tenure reappointments of Supreme Court justices and judges were processed in a manner consistent with the judicial appointments provisions of New Jersey’s Constitution. In 2016, Justice Stein was instrumental in organizing the New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that has since spearheaded the filing of a major public interest lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s extreme racial and socioeconomic segregation of its public schools as unconstitutional. He is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the ACLU of New Jersey and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Education Law Center.

As special counsel to Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, Justice Stein has focused his practice on mediation, arbitration, and assisting other law firms with significant appellate matters. His practice has included a multiyear appointment by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission as the operating trustee of the Tropicana Casino. In addition, Justice Stein served as Paramus

Borough attorney and counsel to the New Jersey Election Law Revision Commission. He is a former counsel to the Teaneck Board of Adjustment, former chairperson of the Bergen County District Ethics Committee, and former chairperson of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution.

Justice Stein is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, as well as a member of the Bergen County and New Jersey State (including a previous position as chairperson of its Committee on State Legislation) Bar Associations. He earned both his BA and JD degrees from Duke University.

 PROFESSIONAL/CIVIC ACTIVITIES

  • Member, Board of Trustees, Educational Law Center
  • Member, Board of Trustees, A.C.L.U. New Jersey
  • President, New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools, Inc.

Reverend Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain

The Board of General Ministries of American Baptist Churches USA has affirmed the call of the Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain to be the next General Secretary of the denomination. Dr. Jacobs-Strain’s term of service will begin on February 1, 2024.

In announcing the call of Dr. Jacobs-Strain, ABCUSA President Jim Wolfe noted that Dr. Jacobs-Strain was the unanimous choice of the search committee. “The committee committed itself to prayer and the discernment of God’s will in this process. We believe Dr. Jacobs-Strain is the person that God has chosen to lead our denominational family. She has the academic background, professional and personal skills to lead this diverse family into the mission that God has prepared for us.”

Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain’s devotion to the Lord began in her elementary school years when she committed her life to Christ. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Director for American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches USA.

Under her guidance, ABWM introduced the AB GIRLS program, “Building Bridges and Gateways to Girl’s Future/Hie-STEAM,” an initiative connecting AB GIRLS Christian Curriculum with local STEAM providers, empowering girls to recognize God’s creative potential within them. ABWM has also broadened its Beloved Community and Domestic Violence ministries and now offers seminars and webinars tailored for young adult women nationwide.

Dr. Jacobs-Strain has held various pastoral roles including Transitional Pastor at First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, N.J., Interim Pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABC-NJ), and serves as an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, N.J.

Rev. Jacobs-Strain has been invited as a guest preacher/lecturer at institutions such as Drew University Theological School, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, ABC-NJ Academy, and the Wellness Lounge Webcast. She also contributed to the “Testify: ABC-NJ Devotional” book, published in 2015. In 2016, she co-launched the Christian Education Workshop Series, “Leading Interactive and Engaging Bible Studies (L.I.B.S. TM)” at the ABC-NJ annual Church Officers and Leaders Conference (COAL). In 2017, she initiated a conversation series, “The Intersection of Leadership and Healing.”

Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree from Drew University’s Theological School. She was also honored with the Old Testament Studies Scholar Award from the Biblical Studies Department. In 2015, she received a Certificate of Excellence from Palmer Theological Seminary & ABC-NJ Academy, and in 2017, she completed the Nehemiah-Leadership Program. In May 2020, she attained a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University. She is married to Clifton Strain, and together they have three sons. They currently reside in Morristown, N.J.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.

Nathaniel Briggs

Nathaniel Briggs was born in October 1947. He was the son of Harry and Eliza Briggs of Clarendon County, South Carolina. His older brother, Harry Briggs Jr., was the center of the first case to be argued in favor of desegregating schools not only in his native Clarendon County and all of South Carolina and the nation. He married Octavia Hilton, the daughter of a fellow plaintiff on the Briggs v. Elliott case. Briggs worked for over twenty years on the Ford assembly line in Teaneck.

Willard Ashley, Sr., Licensed Psychoanalyst, MDiv, DMin, SCP, NCPsyA, CGP

Willard Walden Christopher Ashley, Sr. is a retired professor of theology. July 2012 Ashley was granted tenure and appointed by President Gregg Mast as the first African American Dean of the Seminary in the 228-year history of New Brunswick Theological Seminary (NBTS). Ashley is the CEO of Dr. Willard Ashley, Sr., LLC, Montclair, New Jersey. Under this umbrella, Dr. Ashley conducts webinars, consults, counseling, and coaching. Willard Ashley is a vocational coach with the Center for Career Development and Ministry. He is also the President of Unity with Diversity, a charitable think tank on diversity, race, and racial inequalities.

Ashley is the founder and senior pastor of the Abundant Joy Community Church, Jersey City, New Jersey. Reverend Ashley has served for 41 years as the pastor at various congregations. He is on the Advisory Board of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School, Vice Chair, Bergen County Human Relations Commission, New Jersey State Certified, and a Nationally Certified Psychoanalyst. Rules for 21st Century Radicals is Ashley’s fourth book. Dr. Ashley has taught multiple graduate and certificate courses. Willard Ashley served as the co-chair of the Anti-Racism Coalition of Faith, Ethical and Spiritual Communities, under the umbrella of the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and also serves as an Anti-Racist Trainer. Ashley gained national attention as a leader in the Interfaith Community Organization (ICO) which grew into Jersey City Together.

Willard Ashley had an impressive media presence: hosting a weekly program on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and a regular on New York City radio. Ashley was also the staff psychotherapist at The Riverside Church, New York City. Dr. Ashley works with senior-level executives to undo racism within their organization. Following the tragic events of 9/11, Willard Ashley designed and implemented the “Care for the Caregivers Interfaith Project, A Ministry of the Council of Churches of the City of New York.” Memberships include the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis, the American Association of Marriage Family Therapists, and the American Group Psychotherapy Association.

Find Ashley listed in Marquis Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. He is a lifelong NY Yankees fan. Willard Ashley is the proud father of one adult son, Chris. Serafina an 11-pound Shih Tzu keeps him fit and bring Will great joy.