Victoria Lenga 
Bergen County is home to many who are determined to make a change with every step they take. From nonprofit executives expanding essential services to artists preserving cultural history through multimedia storytelling, these leaders are creating meaningful impact across Bergen County. Every community leader is dedicated to uplifting their city and above all, bettering the lives of those in their community. In honor of Black History Month this February, The Bergen County Girl will highlight 10 Black Community Leaders in and around Bergen County. Read on to learn more about these locals and their empowering organizations.
Brigitte D. Johnson | CEO + President of CarePlus NJ
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Compassion for mental health, addiction recovery, and community-based wellness are the values held by CarePlus NJ. To uphold these values, they offer a range of holistic wellness services, from family care to individual addiction recovery. In 2022, Brigitte D. Johnson took over as CarePlus NJ’s CEO and President, and she remains committed to branching out these services. She’s expanded CarePlus NJ’s open-access mental health walk-in services in Bergen and Essex Counties. In addition, Brigitte has worked hard to create initiatives that establish a diverse and inclusive culture within the organization.
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Courtnay Johnson Suffern | President of NAACP of Bergen County
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Established in 1909, the NAACP has expanded greatly on a national scale. Courtnay Johnson Suffern, president of the NAACP’s Bergen County branch, remains dedicated to her role in protecting the civil rights of all individuals and promoting social justice, especially in her role in expanding voter education among Bergen County citizens, easing food insecurity, and offering senior care to disadvantaged communities.
Dr. Christine W. Thorpe | President of YWCA Northern New Jersey
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Dr. Christine W. Thorpe is the president of Northern New Jersey’s YWCA. The YWCA is a long-standing organization committed to eliminating racism, advancing gender equality, and promoting community understanding. Dr. Thorpe has hosted numerous community-based events that empower women in various demographics. Under her guidance, she’s hosted coffee chats that assist women in gaining financial independence, offered aid to women veterans, and completed a partnership with Ulta Beauty in order to inspire young women through means of STEM and wellness.
Menen Mathias-Fredericks, MD | President of Center for Food Action
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Since its founding in 1976, the Center for Food Action has served its community well. The organization has offered services that provide food, housing, utility, and heating assistance. Menen Mathias-Fredericks, MD, serves as the current president of CFA-NJ, and she’s expanded these services to other counties across New Jersey. She’s also engaged in community-based events by inviting Ramapo College’s social work majors to undergo hands-on experience in Mahwah’s food pantry.
Nahshon Bolton | President of JON-J’s Bergen County Chapter
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The Jamaica Organization of New Jersey works hard to empower Jamaicans and their cultural identity. JON-J holds donation campaigns to Jamaica, sending relief essentials to communities impacted by October 2025’s Hurricane Melissa. Nahshon Bolton is the current president of JON-J’s Bergen County chapter, and he’s remained committed to his community by speaking at memorials, celebrating Caribbean heritage, and participating in career fairs that offer free health screenings.
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Nkem Michelle Okolo | President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
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Through advocating for policies that promote gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women remains committed to its mission of affirming Black women and girls’ socioeconomic equity. The Bergen and Passaic County chapter is run by Nkem Michelle Okolo, and she’s remained faithful to her goal of fostering sisterhood and advocacy within her community. Under Okolo’s direction, she’s provided Black girls with a mentorship committee that encourages career exploration and leadership development.
Samuel Lee | Founder of Encounters in Black Traditions
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Encounters in Black Traditions is a multi-media project dedicated to celebrating African American history. This project is filmed through a lens focusing on first-generation inner-city residents and descendants. The founder, Samuel Lee, has a background concentrated in film-making and production. His project preserves pieces of history that often go unrecorded, putting African American culture in the spotlight.
Shavonda E. Sumter | President + CEO of Children’s Aid and Family Services
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The empowerment of multiple individuals leads to a healthier community, and the Children’s Aid and Family Services incorporates this vision into its mission. The Children’s Aid and Family Services offers various programs to support families through parenting workshops, reunion services, adoption resources, and family therapy. Shavonda E. Sumter is the President and CEO of this organization, and she’s organized support services and increased access to life-saving medication around key locations in Bergen County.
Suzanne Mullings | President of Bergen County Black Caucus
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The Bergen County Black Caucus is dedicated to amplifying Black voices by advocating for policy reformation, progressive initiatives, and socioeconomic equity. The Bergen County Black Caucus was founded to champion the rights and interests of the Black community in Bergen County and has accomplished its goals through community outreach. The president, Suzanne Mullings, has remained dedicated to their vision by organizing events that focus on peer-to-peer engagement that empower the voices of their community.
Tara R. Edmonds | Bergen County Chapter President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
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In 1913, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was established with the vision to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. Since its founding, it has achieved more than 350,000 initiated members and over 1,050 chartered chapters worldwide. The Bergen County Alumnae Chapter is run by Tara R. Edmonds, who carries on the sorority’s vision by utilizing sisterhood to serve her community. Tara engages with her community by connecting with local high schools and offering scholarships, highlighting artists and writers, and creating numerous programs for youth that uplift the Delta Sigma Theta’s goals.
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