About the New Jersey Reparations Council
New Jersey has been called the “slave state of the North” for its deeply embedded history of slavery, and as such, the New Jersey Reparations Council was established as a state-level body responsible for studying and developing recommendations for reparations to address the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council was established by the New Jersey Legislature in 2021 under the New Jersey Reparations Act.
“The first-of-its-kind New Jersey Reparations Council was convened by the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice on Juneteenth 2023 to finally confront and repair the deep and often overlooked history of slavery in New Jersey and its lasting impact on the contemporary life of Black people in the state.”
Mission
The mission of the New Jersey Reparations Council is to develop a comprehensive plan for reparations to address the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council will consider the historical, social, and economic impacts of slavery on African Americans in New Jersey and will make recommendations for reparations that are fair and equitable.
Membership
The New Jersey Reparations Council is composed of 15 members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of New Jersey. The members of the council include:
- Nine African Americans who are descendants of enslaved people in New Jersey
- Three representatives from organizations that advocate for reparations
- Three experts in the fields of history, sociology, or economics
Work of the Council
The New Jersey Reparations Council is currently in the process of gathering evidence and hearing testimony from stakeholders. The council is also conducting research on the historical, social, and economic impacts of slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council is expected to issue a final report with recommendations for reparations by the end of 2024. The council recently announced its “Promise of Juneteenth: New Jersey Repartitions Council Year One” panel discussion on June 19, 2024 at 7:00PM.
The New Jersey Reparations Council is a significant step toward addressing the harms caused by slavery and its legacy in New Jersey. The council’s work could have a major impact on the lives of African Americans in New Jersey and could help to create a more just and equitable society
