History and Activities of CJNBW

The Central Jersey Network of Black Women was founded in May of 1981.  It was established to provide support to Black women in the Central Jersey area.  Diane Bradley, Kholly Vabazza, Edith Jones, Tulane Jackson, Gloria Daniels, and Jean Tidwell served as its first officers.

Originally, they met in the homes of the members, and later relocated to St. James AME Church in Hightstown.

The first years were a lot of fun as the Network began taking shape.  Several activities relevant to the Black suburban experience were sponsored.  These included seminars on coping with stress, education forums, a Network directory, and for fun, a holiday cookbook.

Over the years CJNBW has sponsored visits to Historically Black Colleges, education fairs, and a health fair.  We are presently giving scholarships to women returning to college, and Book Award scholarships to high school students.  We also have guest speakers on various topics throughout the year at our monthly meetings.

Meetings are currently held at the Hickory Corner (2nd Tues.) and Twin Rivers Libraries (1st Tues.) in East Windsor.

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Biography:   Walter T. Daniels

Walter T. Daniels, Jr., was born on January 25, 1944 to Dr. Walter T. and Dr. Virginia R. Daniels.  He was raised in Washington, D.C., where he completed his public education.  In September 1961, Walter entered Howard University majoring in Electrical Engineering.  However, in 1964 he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a degree in Political Science, his true intellectual love.

However, his college studies were interrupted by the Vietnam conflict.  Walter was drafted in 1966 and subsequently enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was a Cryptographic Communications Specialist.  Walter served tours of duty in the Florida Keys, South Vietnam, and Taiwan.  Walter was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his outstanding service in Vietnam.

After his discharge from the military, Walter returned to the University of Pittsburgh, completing his undergraduate studies.  He received his B.A. in Political Science and Certificate of East Asian Studies in April 1971.  In fact, Walter was the first African-American to receive the Certificate in East Asian Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Also in April 1971, Walter married Gloria J. Martin of Pittsburgh.  On May 21, 1972 a daughter, Niambi Denene, was born.  In September 1973, Walter accepted a management position with Johnson & Johnson in Chicago, IL.  In October 1976, J&J transferred Walter to New Jersey where he and the family began their residency in East Windsor, bringing along their spirit of community service.  (It should be noted, that his wife, Gloria, served three terms as President of the CJNBW.)

Among the many organizations and activities Walter has participated in are as follows:

         East Windsor Juvenile Conference Committee as Vice Chair

         Union Industrial Home - Board Member

         East Windsor Zoning Board

         East Windsor Commission on Aging

         HEROS Mentoring Program as Director

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.... Biography:   Walter T. Daniels  (continued)

         Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council

         Better Beginnings Child Care Development Center

         UNICEF - NJ Ethiopian Famine Relief Committee

         Recipient, Mayors'/Better Beginnings Shining Star Award

Walter is very active in the political affairs of his community, participating in various voter registration drives, and is currently serving his fourth term on the East Windsor Township Council.  He has also served as Deputy Mayor in 2000, 2004, 2006, and 2007. Further entrenched in the community, Walter has served as President of the East Windsor Democratic Club, a member of NJ League of Black Elected Officials, Acting Chairperson of the East Windsor Municipal Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, and Council Liaison to the Commission on Aging.

Faith has been an important part of Walter’s life.  He is a member and Elder of the Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, N.J., serving on the Board of Sessions – the governing body of the church. 

Walter is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi, one of the oldest African-American College Fraternities, where he concentrates his energies into the Guide Right Program.  This program embraces high school age males with the intent to develop their leadership skills.  Recently, Walter became a “Big Brother” with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Mercer County, serving as a mentor for a young male entering the 8^th grade this September. 

And despite all these activities, Walter has been a certified High School Track and Field Official for ten years!

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Biography:   Niambi Daniels

Thirty years ago Walter and Gloria Daniels moved their daughter, Niambi, to East Windsor Township, where they taught her the importance of academic achievement and community service.  Niambi understood from early in her life the responsibility of contributing to society outside the classroom. She was presented the American Legion award at her junior high school graduation, and started an organization to support diversity at her high school.  After graduating from The Peddie School, Niambi went to Greensboro, N.C., to pursue her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  While in school, Niambi received a NASA scholarship, and published her research on the effects of toxic water.  This won her several honors in science competitions. She also served as the Chair of Service Projects for NY/NJ Connection, became chapter president of the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE), and helped start an organization named Project Reach to educate students on campus about HIV/AIDS.

After graduating from college, Niambi returned to East Windsor. While starting her career in the pharmaceutical industry, she became a committee member of the East Windsor Township Environmental Commission and started the D.P. Investment Club of Middlesex County. She went on to complete her masters degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Supply Chain and Strategic Management at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Management. In her last year of graduate school, Niambi won the Dr. Harold B. Davis Award in Business Ethics.  After graduation, Niambi received her Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) certification from the American Society of Quality and Green Belt Certification from the Six Sigma Academy. All of these led Niambi to her current position as a Quality Assurance Manager at Daiichi Sankyo Pharma Development located in Edison, N.J.

Believing that the youth are our future and are in need of our support, Niambi continues to serve the New Jersey community. As a member of Jehovah-Jireh Praise and Worship Church Center located in Newark, N.J., she serves in both the Youth and Educational Ministries of the church.  These social ministries aim to stimulate the intellectual curiosity of the members and successfully prepare youth for college and the world beyond.

Additionally, Niambi serves as a member of the Juvenile Conference

Committee (JCC) of East Windsor Township (Mercer County Court).  The JCC represents a partnership between the Judiciary and the citizenry of

New Jersey providing expanded services to youth at risk.   Just recently,

Friends of CJNBW, Inc. (Additional Support)

Liston & Joyce Abbott

Eric & Betty Dawson

Gerald & Karen Delk

Hibbert & Lois Duncan

Lisa Evans

Joan Gordon

Larry Gunnell

Bill & Maria Hoogterp

Dave Jackson

Wilfred & Ondina Jeffers

Marilyn Leonard

Victoria Mack

Mayor Janice S. Mironov

Mayor Robert & Kathy Patten

Dr. & Mrs. Randal Pinkett

Kevin & Regina Quince

Douglas & Linda Rivers

Chief William Spain

Martin & Ruth Timins

Marsha Walton

Alexander & Wendy Whitney

Bettie Witherspoon