December 22, 2020

Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson ’74

The community activist is in the forefront of the fight to end State control of the Newark school system, and she is not stopping her endeavors anytime soon.

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Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson ’74 is a lifelong Newark resident and a graduate of Weequahic High School and Montclair State University. She is a career educator who taught English, Theater, and Creative Writing in the Newark Public Schools for over 30 years. She is a past Legislative Representative and Vice–President of the Newark Teachers Union. Prior to her retirement in July 2010, Antoinette served as Coordinator at the Newark Public Schools Marion A. Bolden Student Center, where she developed a core of after-school classes and university partnerships for Newark’s high school students.In April of 2014, Antoinette was re-elected to a second term on the Newark Board of Education. In April of 2016, Antoinette was elected by her Board peers to serve as the Board Chair, after having had the honor of serving in that capacity twice during her first term. In July of 2016, Antoinette was appointed to the position of Chief Education Officer for the Mayor Baraka’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education.

Antoinette is a community activist who is in the forefront of the fight to end State control of the Newark school system and return governance to the Newark Board of Education.

“It is imperative, at this juncture, that all education advocates use their knowledge and wisdom to re-imagine, reshape, and reinvigorate education experiences of all of our children. For the Newark Public Schools District, this means utilizing best practices of the Community School strategy to ensure an equitable high-quality education for all. For the City of Newark, this means embracing a culture of caring for the success of every child and every family.”

Antoinette is the Project Director for Stand & Deliver, a public speaking and leadership program which serves over 700 youth at 30 sites. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Newark NAACP Freedom Fund Education Award, the New Jersey Governor’s Award in Arts Education, and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver’s Shirley Chisholm Education Award.

Antoinette is married to Wayne Richardson, Essex County Freeholder and President of Local 55, LIUNA. They have 5 children and 10 grandchildren.