Demetrius Terry is seeking the Jersey City Board of Education seat vacated by Angel Valentin, and sent a letter to JCBOE President Sudhan Thomas and the board requesting consideration:

July 28, 2018

Jersey City Board of Education

346 Claremont Avenue

Jersey City, New Jersey 07305

Board President Sudhan Thomas and Members of the Jersey City Board of Education,

I am saddened to hear Board Member Angel Valentin will be resigning from the board of education due to health concerns. For over 15 years, Angel Valentin has been an advocate for our children in the City of Jersey City and he will be missed. I am submitting a letter of interest to fill the remainder of Angel Valentin’s term.

My involvement in public service began the moment Senator Barack Obama entered the race for the United States Presidency. At just 15 years old, I got involved by volunteering to get out the vote by knocking on doors and making phone calls. The positive energy I received in Jersey City, inspired me to stay involved in public service so I could make a difference. My desire to serve has grown over the years and contributing as a member of the Jersey City Board of Education has been a personal goal of mine. As a lifelong resident of Jersey City, I made it my mission to be an advocate for my community.

Growing up impoverished, and in an underserved community, I understand the important responsibilities which lie ahead. These are critical times for public education with many challenges. I am always heads-on when it comes to confronting tough challenges and working collegially to overcome them.

I believe I hold many valuable attributes to hold this seat, such as:

• Community Participant- Enjoy meeting individuals, and identifying the community’s key communicators and reaching out to the community
• Decision Maker- Able to recognize others’ decision-making styles, can support group decision-making that is in the best interest of the collective whole
• Information Processor- Organize priorities and schedules to handle a lot of verbal and written information
• Effective Communicator- Able to describe both what I want and what others want; a good listener
• Leader- Willing to take risks, be supportive of board colleagues, community leaders, and students
• Proven Background- Previously served over 250,000 college students in the State of New Jersey by giving them a voice and helping to pass meaningful legislation which is law today
• Team Player- Will help promote the board’s vision and goals

It’s also important to understand children are the primary focus. I will work with other board members to create a shared vision for work and learning; build strategic partnerships; sustain the district’s progress through continuous improvement; adopt and maintain current policies; maintain strong ethical standards, and objectively seek answers to questions and challenges as they arise.

With my strong background in public service and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology, I understand first-hand, the study of development, structure, and social problems. As Jersey City is one of the most diverse cities in New Jersey and the United States, I believe we should continue to reflect the diversity on the board. Currently, our board is represented by many races and religions. As a district that has the largest LGBTQ community, I would continue to add to the diversity in our district which results in inclusion as an openly gay African American male.

In closing, I strongly believe every student deserves access to a top-notch quality education. I will work with the Superintendent, board members, teachers, parents, and our students to ensure we have a balance of input and our district becomes a national model of educational excellence.

Sincerely,

Demetrius M. Terry, B.A

Awards/Acknowledgements:

2016:

• Recipient of the “Rising Star Award” by Urban League of Hudson County
• Featured as One of New Jersey’s Youngest Political Talents” by Observer NJ.

2017: 

• Featured in African American Power List by Insider NJ
• Recipient of Outstanding Millennial Award by Union County Juneteenth Committee of NAACP
• Iron Sharpening Iron Award by National Action Network of North Jersey
• Jersey City Community Mogul Award 40 under 40
• Featured on Insider NJ’s 50 Millennial Up and Comers in New Jersey Politics under 30.

2018:

• Honorable Mention in African American Power List by Insider NJ
• The 2018 InsiderNJ List (Top 100 Millennials in New Jersey)