Former regional campaign director for the NJ Democratic Committee during the 2025 cycle Akeem Cunningham joined the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as the Chief of External Affairs and Strategic Initiatives effective February 9, 2026.

According to the department, Cunningham is leading DCA's community engagement efforts across housing and local government initiatives. His work includes outreach related to homelessness prevention, rental assistance, affordable housing programs, and supportive housing efforts, among other DCA initiatives.

He will serve as a primary liaison with residents, landlords, advocates, and stakeholders, organize public forums and listening sessions, and translate feedback into policy recommendations and planning strategies. Additionally, he will support grant development, planning, and collaboration across DCA divisions to strengthen how we design and deliver programs, so they are accessible, responsive, and guided by community input.

Cunningham last year critically helmed Mikie Sherrill's Youth Get Out The Vote initiative that redefined civic engagement across Essex County.

The program was born out of Cunningham’s own experience running for office at just 22 years old — a journey that opened his eyes to how few young people were represented in the political process. Determined to change that, Cunningham built a team committed to empowering the next generation of leaders. 

A proud firefighter from East Orange, Cunningham worked with more than 60 high school students who have collectively knocked on over 55,000 doors throughout Essex County in just five weeks. These students educated voters, sparked meaningful conversations, inspired civic participation, and inspired Cunningham to expand the program’s reach.

He also proved a critical liaison for the Sherrill Campaign with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who impressed on Sherrill the need for more and better affordable housing in the Garden State.

When Cunningham presented the idea for Youth Get Out The Vote to New Jersey, Democratic State Committee and Essex County Committee Chairman, Leroy J. Jones Jr., the Chairman didn’t hesitate. He embraced it immediately.

“Akeem understands the mission, and that mission is to create and nurture a new generation of voters. But this program is about more than just getting young people to vote – it’s also about creating and nurturing a new generation of leaders. Akeem’s program has yielded extraordinary results, ensuring that these students are not just watching elections from the sidelines, but they’re seeing democracy in action. These students have canvassed for and met elected officials at all levels of government. They have learned about policy. They have talked about the issues that affect their communities and their futures. And while the scope of this program started small, it is a blueprint that can be scaled in any community in this country,” Chairman Leroy J. Jones, Jr. said.

On Election Night, Sherrill - who routinely referred to her campaign in Essex County as "Team Alkeem" - praised Cunningham from the victory stage.

Now her Essex County ally has another critical mission at DCA.