Candidates - Bergen County Black Caucus

Meet the Candidates for the General Election 2026

Overall, the Bergen County Black Caucus plans to be a vital force for positive change, empowerment, and representation for the Black community in Bergen County. Through its advocacy, engagement, and collaboration efforts, it plans to help advance social, economic, and political progress for Black residents and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive Bergen County for all its residents.

Meet the Candidate for US Senate

Cory Booker

Meet the Candidate for Teaneck Town Council

Duane Harley, Esq

Duane M. Harley, Esq. is an entertainment attorney specializing in contract transactions. Duane Harley graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, CT in 1999. While attending law school Mr. Harley became the President of the Black Law Student Association for two (2) consecutive years. Under his leadership he helped provide mentorship to local youth within the community and began strengthening relationships between the Black student body and the university’s faculty and administration. In addition, during his final year attending law school he became the research assistant for his professor Marilyn Ford, Esq. who at the time represented superstar rap artist Keith Murray in an appeal from a criminal conviction. The efforts to overturn Murray’s conviction was successful.

Upon graduating Law School, Mr. Harley was hired by a boutique entertainment law firm located in Manhattan New York called Woods & Middleton, LLP. During his tenure Mr. Harley quickly became extremely knowledgeable of all types of entertainment contracts such as producer agreements, artist agreements, publishing agreements, and licensing agreements.

In 2002 Duane left Woods & Middleton, LLP to become the Founder of D. Harley, PC and entertainment law practice and have been providing conscientious legal representation exclusively to recording artists, music producers songwriters actors, singers, publishers and artist managers exclusively in the entertainment business. Such representation includes matters regarding copyright, trademark prosecution, right of publicity, music distribution, music recording, and music licensing. The types of client representation includes reality television personalities, corporate executives, independent record labels, record production companies, film production companies, recording artists, record producers, managers, screenwriters, musicians and publishers.

Mr. Harley is licensed to practice law in the state of New York and New Jersey and is a member of National Bar Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Law Association, the New York City Bar Association and the Bergen County Bar Association. Currently, Mr. Harley is serving as an Adult Advisor for the Teaneck Youth Advisory Board and a member of the Planning Board. The commitment to serve the community is unyielding and Teaneck will always be considered home.

Denise Belcher

Denise Stanford Belcher serves as Deputy Mayor of Teaneck, where she has established herself as a strategic and results-driven municipal leader focused on housing innovation, economic development, and community-centered policy.

During her tenure, Denise has led and shaped several transformative initiatives for the Township. She authored Teaneck’s first Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance, expanding housing opportunities and advancing affordability. As Chair of the Affordable Housing Subcommittee, she has been a leading voice in addressing the Township’s housing obligations with balanced, forward-thinking solutions. She also served as liaison between the Planning Board and Township Council during the development of the Township Master Plan, which was awarded in 2025 formal recognition from the New Jersey Planning Officials (NJPO) for excellence in municipal planning.

Denise has championed policies that protect and strengthen the community. She authored a Know Your Rights resolution to safeguard immigrant residents and has engaged in critical policy discussions related to immigration enforcement and local governance. She was instrumental in advancing Teaneck’s Film Ready Ordinance in partnership with the New Jersey Film Commission—she authored the ordinance to advance an economic development initiative designed to attract film production and create local revenue opportunities. Her leadership includes overseeing the reclamation and renovation of the Teaneck Pool, restoring a vital community asset returning it to the Township, and strengthening municipal operations through active engagement and partnership with the Never Alone Again Domestic Violence Resource Center, enhancing the township support services, and community outreach.

Beyond policy, Denise actively supports Teaneck’s cultural and civic life, including her membership with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Bergen Passaic Chapter, helping to elevate the Women representation on local advisory boards.

Professionally, Denise is a nationally experienced real estate broker, educator, and business leader. She is the Broker/Owner of XCEED Realty LLP and Director of the School of Real Estate Studies, a state-licensed real estate education provider. Licensed in both New Jersey and New York, she has overseen numerous residential, commercial, and investment transactions. She also leads workforce development initiatives that provide training and career pathways for unemployed and underemployed residents.

Denise Stanford Belcher’s leadership is defined by a commitment to thoughtful governance, economic opportunity, and sustainable community growth, meaningful, lasting impact for the residents of Teaneck and beyond.

Denise is a mother to 2 extraordinary adult daughters who she loves to spend time with. Enjoy traveling, cooking, reading, the theatre and great adventures.

Meet the Candidates for Teaneck Board of Education

Eric Rhea, Liza Fernandez, & Marcelo Venegas

Eric Rhea

Eric Rhea is the owner and founder of Furnish My Space, an interior design and furnishing services company. He received his BS in Political Science from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1994 and later earned an interior design certification in NYC. Eric is the youngest of three children whose parents, though they did not finish college themselves, were deeply committed to education — putting Eric and his siblings through Howard University, Wesleyan University, Columbia University (Masters in Journalism), and Harvard Business School (MBA). It is this access to quality education, and the knowledge of where it can take any child, that drives Eric’s commitment to ensuring kids receive the best public school education possible. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Hoods To Woods Foundation, a NYC-based outreach program that mentors kids from underserved communities and takes them snowboarding in the winter to expose them to new experiences. Eric is the proud, involved father of a 4-year-old daughter currently enrolled in Pre-K 4 in Teaneck public schools. He has participated in reading to the kids at her school and volunteered for activity days on multiple occasions.

Liza Fernandez

Liza Fernandez moved to Teaneck with her Dominican family in 1992 as the eldest of five siblings. All five of them attended Teaneck Public Schools. She has been a Teaneck resident for over three decades, owns a home in Teaneck, and co-owns a local family business with her husband George, The Well Purified Water. She stays involved by volunteering at the schools, organizing school fundraisers, as a PTO member, serving as three-term chair at Teaneck Charter School Community Organization, and as acting President of the Teaneck Road Business Community Alliance. Liza is a Sunday School Teacher at The Summit Church of Bergen County in Hackensack. She believes that meaningful change begins when ordinary people are willing to step forward and serve. She is a First Grade Teacher at Bergen County Christian Academy with a master’s in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University. She earned her degree while raising three boys alongside her husband, George Fernandez, Jr., and all three attend Teaneck Public Schools. Her son at Teaneck High is also enrolled in the first cohort of the dual enrollment program at Bergen Community College and will graduate in June 2027 from the college and the high school simultaneously. Liza has worked alongside teachers, parents, local businesses, faith leaders, and volunteers to support the community and build partnerships. Her hope is to continue building bridges across the Teaneck Public School District by inspiring others to join in creating a brighter future for Teaneck students.

Marcelo Venegas

Dr. Venegas-Pizarro is a Physician, HIV and Hepatitis Specialist, Health and Social Justice Activist, Urgent Care Specialist, and Social Entrepreneur. He attended medical school at the University of Illinois in Chicago and completed his residency in Social Medicine and Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. He has held HIV leadership positions at Promesa Inc, HousingWorks, and Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, where he served as Director of HIV and Hepatitis Services. He is the Regional Medical Director for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), supervising over 20 clinics across the Northeast, DC, and Midwest, and has provided relief work in Mexico, El Salvador, and Haiti. A volunteer attending at NYU Langone Medical Center and member of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Venegas has dedicated over 20 years to HIV care and expanding access to health services for underserved communities. He has three daughters and lives in Teaneck, New Jersey, where his youngest daughter attends Teaneck public schools.

Meet the Candidates for Englewood Board of Education

Ignacio Acosta-Thompson

Ignacio Acosta-Thompson is running for Englewood Board of Education. He is a father of three, an Englewood homeowner, and a Certified Public Accountant with 15 years of experience, including auditing one of New Jersey’s largest school districts. He comes from a family of public servants and teachers. He is running for one reason: to make sure every dollar the district spends reaches our classrooms and our students. Better outcomes for students, better oversight of every dollar.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Early voting and vote by mail are also available. However you vote, the Board of Education is the last race on the ballot, and you get three votes. VoteAcostaThompson.com

Vernedra Williams

Vernedra Williams is a 40 year resident of Englewood and mother to a 3d grader at John D. Greico Elementary. In her youth, Vernedra attended Englewood public schools from Pre-K to 12t grade, after which she graduated and attended Syracuse University where she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Management and Technology and a Master’s in Public Relations.

Professionally, Vernedra works as a consultant to franchisees of one of the world’s top Fortune 500 Global retailers, helping them establish world-class process, policy, and procedures for their franchises totaling to over 16B in revenue.

While her career has taken her to various places internationally, Vernedra has always prioritized her community and its members, placing top-notch education at the forefront.

Excellence in Academics

Every child in Englewood deserves an education that challenges, them for what’s next, and holds our schools to the highest standard. I will push for rigorous curricula, strong teacher support, and real accountability for results because our students can, and should compete at the highest level.

Agency Through Diverse Experiences

Education isn’t one-size fits all. I believe in giving our children exposure to a wide range of experiences like arts, STEM, athletics, career pathways, and cultural programming so they can discover their strengths and make real choices about their futures. Agency means preparing kids to not just pass a test but to lead.

Transparency

Parents and taxpayers deserve to know decisions are made, how dollars are spent, and how our schools are performing. I will fight for open communication, accessible board meetings, and clear reporting so our community is never left in the dark.

Representing Your Interests

This seat belongs to the families of Englewood, not to any single agenda. I will listen first, engage often, and make sure every decision reflects what our community actually needs not what’s convenient for the district administration.

William Feinstein

I was born and raised in Englewood, attending the Englewood Public Schools K-12. For the past six years, it has been a privilege and honor to serve on the Englewood Board of Education. During that time, our district has faced significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a cybersecurity attack, and difficult budget years. Through each challenge, I have remained committed to educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and responsible leadership.

My guiding principle as a Board member has always been simple: Is this in the best interest of our children? I believe our schools must continue to focus on student achievement, recruit and retain outstanding teachers and staff, operate with transparency and accountability, use taxpayer dollars wisely, and build strong partnerships with families and our community.

Experience matters when serving on a Board of Education. Effective leadership requires thoughtful decision-making, careful oversight, and the willingness to make difficult decisions based on facts—not politics. I have approached this responsibility with integrity, independence, and respect, while working collaboratively to strengthen our schools and community.

Looking ahead, I remain committed to putting children first. I will continue supporting strong academic programs, investments in technology and learning resources, safe and welcoming schools, meaningful parent engagement, responsible budgeting. My commitment remains focused on providing the leadership and results Englewood’s children deserve.

I respectfully ask for your vote to continue to serve our community and fight for our children.

Vote William FEINSTEIN, Column D

Meet the Candidates for Glen Rock Board of Education

Dr. Damali Robinson, DNP, CRNA, is a mother, wife, Army veteran, nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and community leader who calls Glen Rock home.

The daughter of Jamaican immigrants, Damali’s path began with an associate degree in nursing and continued through military service and earning a doctorate in nurse anesthesiology. Her 17 years of Army service and healthcare leadership have shaped her commitment to service, thoughtful decision-making and remaining steady under pressure.

Damali practices at local and regional healthcare facilities in NJ. She has served on the Glen Rock Board of Education since 2020, including as Vice President and now in her third year as President. Her experience spans multiple school budgets, contract negotiations, a superintendent selection process and the difficult decisions that shape our schools.

Outside of work and public service, Damali enjoys gardening, growing food and building community. Across her roles, her approach is thoughtful, steady and grounded in service: listen carefully, ask difficult questions and keep students at the center.