The Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation hosted its 3rd Annual Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch on Saturday, July 25, at the Valley Regency in Clifton, New Jersey. Nearly 300 elected officials, business leaders, nonprofit professionals, students, and community advocates gathered to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver while recognizing a distinguished group of women leaders whose work continues to shape New Jersey for the better.

Held just days after what would have been Oliver's birthday and shortly before the third anniversary of her passing, the annual event celebrates her enduring commitment to public service while inspiring the next generation of leaders to carry her legacy forward.

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

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, the first Black woman elected to represent New Jersey in Congress, delivered the keynote address and received a Special Award Tribute recognizing her decades of trailblazing leadership, public service, and lasting friendship with Lieutenant Governor Oliver.

"Sheila Oliver devoted her life to opening doors for others, and she challenged each of us to lead with courage and conviction,” said Watson Coleman. “It was a blessing to work alongside her in the Assembly. It’s an honor to celebrate her remarkable legacy and to recognize these extraordinary women, whose leadership reflects the same commitment to lifting communities, expanding opportunity, and inspiring the next generation of public servants.”

"Each year, this brunch reminds us that my aunt's legacy is not confined to history—it lives on through leaders who continue to serve with purpose, compassion, and integrity," said Renee Oliver, President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation and niece of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver.  "Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and this year's honorees exemplify the values that Lt. Governor Oliver championed throughout her life. Their leadership ensures that her vision for a more compassionate and inclusive New Jersey lives on."

The Foundation honored the following women leaders for their outstanding contributions to public service, education, healthcare, advocacy, 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
• 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
• Thurselle C. Williams | Senior Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church of East Orange

In addition to the award ceremony and special tribute, the program featured musical entertainment, recognition of student scholarship recipients, an address from Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, and a silent auction featuring Lieutenant Governor Oliver's personal accessory collection.

"Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver transformed New Jersey through both her groundbreaking achievements and the countless people she mentored along the way,” said Lt. Gov. Caldwell. “This annual gathering is a powerful reminder that her legacy continues to shape our state through leaders who are committed to service, equity, and creating opportunities for others."

Event sponsors included:

• United Airlines
• NJ Legislative Black Caucus Foundation
• PSEG
• Audible
• Johnson & Johnson
• North Jersey Federal Credit Union
• Parker Health
• PSC (Princeton Strategic Communications)
• Rutgers University - Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America
• Rutgers University - Center for Health Excellence and Community Empowerment
• Rutgers University - RWJ Medical School
• Victoria Foundation

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