Youngest Member Currently Serving and Youngest Woman Ever Elected to the Board

Newark, NJ — In a historic and deeply moving ceremony at the Essex County Hall of Records, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas was unanimously elected Vice President of the Essex County Board of Commissioners, becoming both the youngest member currently serving and the youngest woman ever elected to the Board.

Murray-Thomas, a Newark native and founder of the nationally recognized girls’ leadership organization SHE Wins! Inc., was joined at center stage by two SHE Wins! Scholars — Yasmina Ouedraogo, a pre-med and nursing major at Seton Hall University, and Maeko Jordan of Drake University — along with her mother, grandmother, and aunt as she was sworn into office. Their presence symbolized the intergenerational legacy of women who have shaped her journey and the young women she continues to uplift.

Former Board President and fellow Commissioner Wayne Richardson praised Murray-Thomas’s unwavering commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities across Essex County. Commissioner Robert Mercado celebrated her as “a welcome and positive new energy on the Board” and expressed pride in his fellow Newarker. Former Vice President Tyshammie Cooper formally nominated Murray-Thomas for the leadership role.

Reflecting on the honor, Murray-Thomas shared,
“I am thankful that my board colleagues thought enough of me for this position. Their confidence strengthens my resolve to serve with integrity, courage, and a deep love for our community.”

She also spoke tenderly of her grandmother in South Carolina, Hattie, who recently overcame cancer and was unable to attend the celebration. Murray-Thomas credited her grandmother’s resilience as a source of inspiration that guides her leadership.

The ceremony drew an impressive roster of distinguished guests, including New Jersey State Democratic Chair Leroy Jones, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, and First Lady Tammy Murphy, each offering words of support and admiration for Murray-Thomas’s trailblazing service.

The Hall of Records was filled with well-wishers, community leaders, and young people whose lives have been touched by her work. SHE Wins! Scholar Yasmina Ouedraogo shared,
“A’Dorian has been an incredible mentor to me and so many girls. She took me on some of my first college tours, and she has always shown up for us. Her leadership is the reason so many of us believe in our own futures.”

Speaking to a group of other millennial leaders after the ceremony, Murray-Thomas reflected on the evolution of the title “Commissioner,” formerly known as “Freeholder,” noting the significance of this change for representation and equity. “When this role was created, it was not written with me in mind. The original freeholders were white, land‑owning men —  my ancestors were never allowed to be. The shift from ‘Freeholder’ to ‘Commissioner’ reflects a more inclusive future, one where young women like me can lead boldly. I am indeed my ancestors’ wildest dreams.”

Murray-Thomas’s election marks a powerful moment for Essex County — one that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the next generation of leaders.

About A’Dorian Murray-Thomas

A’Dorian Murray-Thomas is the founder of SHE Wins! Inc., an award-winning leadership and mentoring program for girls affected by community violence. She has been recognized nationally for her advocacy, youth development work, and commitment to educational equity.

Closing Statement

As Vice President of the Essex County Board of Commissioners, A’Dorian Murray-Thomas steps into her new role with the same passion, purpose, and people-centered leadership that have defined her career. Her historic election stands as a testament to what is possible when community, courage, and generational hope come together.