Black leaders this afternoon convened a Black Agenda Press Conference in Atlantic City to punctuate their community's expectations for the lame duck session and for the incoming Sherrill Administration.

The Rev. Pastor Charles Boyer of Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church joined Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Ryan Haygood of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice at St. James AME Church to underscore priorities for Democrats they helped elect on Nov. 4th.

Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill trounced Republican Jack Ciattarelli 56-43%, while racking 94% of the Black vote compared to 5% received by Ciattarelli. Democrats in the Assembly scored a supermajority.

In a phone interview with InsiderNJ, Pastor Boyer laid out what he and fellow black leaders want for the African American community.

He said he has a very hopeful sense of the sincerity of the incoming governor and the lieutenant governor-elect.

"Every indication I have received when I have talked to the gov-elect personally and her chief people, is that I don't think I'm being patronized," Boyer said. "I feel like another thing they did, which was a major positive signal is they put Dale Caldwell in as head of the transition team. From every indication I have, it doesn't feel merely ceremonial. I am cautiously optimistic.

"We have given a lot of support to the campaign and how we got here - we have worked vigorously, with initiatives like Souls to the Polls," he added. "We worked on getting Black folks to understand the power and necessity of civic engagement."

The end results, the reverend said, "were not a fluke. Not a mistake. This was very intentional."

Priorities include:

Passage of A-4175, which requires the Attorney General to review the Statewide use of force policy applicable to law enforcement officers every two years, or in such shorter time frame as the Attorney General may deem appropriate and revise it as need may require.

Advancement of the so-called second look bill to protect elderly incarcerated inmates.

Advancement of the John Lewis voting bill.

Advancement of the jury selection bill.

Eradication of the youth waiver bills, seen as very punitive.

Recognition by lawmakers of a mandate against Ciattarelli's so-called tough-on-crime policies.

"Black folks showed up in a big way and we expect black folks to be represented in the transition and appointments," said the pastor. "We are calling on a convening at least twice a year of black leaders and the administration to move issues forward."

The Black leaders want a state budget that augments fund for summer youth programs, and for first time homebuyers. They want to see passage of Senator Troy Singleton's Faith in Housing legislation, which would empower churches and nonprofits to turn unused land into affordable housing. "With over 230,000 affordable homes needed statewide, this bill makes it easier for faith-based and nonprofit organizations to create safe, stable, and affordable places families can call home - without unnecessary red tape."

Boyer said the leaders would like to see convened action groups around economic development in Trenton and Newark.

They want greater support for maternal black health.

They would like a working group convened to examine ways to close the racial wealth gap.

Environmental justice issues.

Education equity housing.

Economic issues.

Protections for black members of the LGBTQ community.

A New Jersey apology issued for the original sin of slavery.

Full funding for the Amistad Commission.

InsiderNJ asked the pastor about the office of Attorney General.

"Matt Platkin has been an outstanding attorney general in this moment defending New Jersey from the wiles of Donald Trump," Boyer said.

Of course, he noted, it is up to Sherrill to choose her own Attorney General.

"If not Matt Platkin again we certainly need a strong civil rights-oriented powerful leader that has national civil rights bonafides, who is not afraid of someone like Donald Trump. This is not a time for some kind of moderate person who acquiesce to that kind of power. We need someone to push the levers and push back against this administration and build on the restorative justice pieces put in place here in the State of New Jersey."

Anyone in particular?

"If I had my way, I'd go with Ryan Haygood" - the nationally respected civil rights lawyer, and President

and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.

The next AG needs to consistently stand up to Trump, the way Platkin did.

The pastor reflected on what ultimately drove Black turnout toward Sherrill in the aftermath of the Democratic Primary in which Newark Mayor Ras Baraka came in second after running a progressive campaign with heavy Black community accent notes.

"The number one thing that drove people out for the Sherrill-[Dale] Caldwell ticket were the fight against MAGA and Trump," said Boyer. "That was the rallying cry. Black people understand that we are under assault from Washington and the Maga movement. Jack [Ciattarelli] clearly showed he was on the side of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. The endorsement by Trump not only reflected the closeness between him and Trump, but his policies showed where he stands."

It became strikingly clear to Boyer that he and his fellow faith leaders needed to issue a strong endorsement of support for Sherrill, as Baraka had earlier in the general election season.

Now, the needs "really come down to the Democrats as a whole and the incoming administration."

"It has to do with really the lame duck priorities - these are things we know they can move on. Transitions and appointments. We're not looking for every position, but we should be reflected," the pastor said.

Added the Rev. Pastor Ronald Slaughter of Saint James AME Church:

"Just about every poll in New Jersey's Gubernatorial race indicates that Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and Lt. Governor-Elect Dale Caldwell received 94% of the Black vote. Sherrill actually lost the white vote to the Republican candidate. Those types of results demonstrate a clear mandate for the incoming administration. It's time to close the wealth gap, educational gap, and housing gap in this state. People of color deserve a shot at the pursuit of happiness.

"The great Shirley Chisholm once said, 'If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.' After the turnout for Sherrill by Black people in New Jersey, it is my hope that a folding chair will not be needed because a seat will be prepared and occupied at the table for our voices and concerns to be heard. I wholeheartedly endorse and support the recommendations by the Black Agenda led by my Mayor, Ras J. Baraka, my colleague, Dr. Charles Boyer, and the voice against injustice, Attorney Ryan Haygood."