The event will celebrate various women leaders across New Jersey while honoring Sheila Y. Oliver's legacy of compassionate action.

NEWARK, NJ – The Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation today announced that Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, the first Black woman elected to represent New Jersey in Congress, will serve as the keynote speaker and receive a Special Award Tribute at its 3rd Annual Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Valley Regency in Clifton, NJ.

The event will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, a trailblazing public servant who made history as New Jersey’s first woman of color to serve in a statewide elected office and dedicated her career to expanding opportunity for others.

Congresswoman Coleman's participation carries particular significance. Throughout their decades of public service, she and Oliver stood among a generation of pioneering women who shaped New Jersey's political landscape. Watson Coleman served as a mentor, colleague, and friend to Oliver, and both leaders built careers defined by breaking barriers and opening doors for others.

This year's Legacy Brunch will highlight that enduring continuum of leadership while recognizing a distinguished group of women and community leaders whose work reflects the values that defined Oliver's life and public service.

"Sheila Oliver was more than a colleague—she was a trusted friend, a leader of uncommon integrity, and someone who never lost sight of the people she served,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “She brought people together, challenged us to think bigger, and approached every issue with both conviction and compassion. Her impact on New Jersey is impossible to measure, not only because of what she accomplished, but because of the countless lives she touched along the way. It is an honor to celebrate her legacy and the example she set for all of us."

"As we celebrate my aunt’s storied legacy, it is especially meaningful to honor Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman with a special award tribute and welcome her as this year's keynote speaker," said Renee Oliver, President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation and niece of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver. "My aunt believed deeply in uplifting others, and Congresswoman Watson Coleman has carried that same commitment throughout her decades-long career. Together, their stories remind us that exceptional leadership is about creating opportunities for those who come after you. Through this event, we honor women leaders who are following in their footsteps and continuing this legacy across New Jersey."

In addition to Congresswoman Watson Coleman’s special recognition, the Foundation will honor the following leaders for their outstanding contributions to public service, advocacy, education, healthcare, economic development, and community empowerment:

● Lisa A. Asare, MPH | President and Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority

● Ashley M. Caldwell | Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Graduate; Member, New Brunswick Board of Education

● Margo Chaly, Esq. | Secretary of Higher Education, State of New Jersey

● Aisha Glover | Global Head of Urban Innovation, Audible

● Fatima Heyward | President, Young Democrats of America

● Dr. Ashanti Jones-Murphy | Policy Analyst, Criminal Justice Reform, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice

● Senator Angela V. McKnight | New Jersey State Senate

● Judy Persichilli | Former Commissioner of Health, State of New Jersey

● Rev. Thurselle C. Williams | Senior Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange

The Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch promises to be a day of celebration, fellowship, engagement, and inspiration. In addition to the keynote address, attendees will enjoy entertainment, an exclusive VIP reception, and a special tribute celebrating Congresswoman Watson Coleman’s career, her relationship with Lieutenant Governor Oliver, and their enduring impact on New Jersey.

The event takes place during a particularly meaningful time of remembrance, closely following Oliver's July 14 birthday and marking nearly three years since her passing on August 1, 2023.

Proceeds from the event will directly support the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation's mission to empower underserved communities and cultivate the next generation of leaders through civic engagement, public policy, leadership development, and community advocacy.

Tickets for the Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch are now on sale, and organizations and individuals can support this important initiative through sponsorship and advertising opportunities. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.sheilaoliver.com/legacybrunch.

About the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation

The Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, committed to empowering underserved communities to achieve both economic and social success, as well as educating and developing young women of color who are interested in government, public policy, and community organizing. Learn more at sheilaoliver.com

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