Africa-Press – Liberia. An entrepreneur, community organizer, and mother of five—who has also fostered more than 20 children—Collins-Colding brings a legacy of compassion and leadership to her campaign.
Liberian-born Jane Collins-Colding has secured the Democratic nomination for the Maplewood Township Committee, winning a closely watched primary race that sets her on a clear path to victory in the November general election.
With all 21 districts reporting, Collins-Colding garnered 3,541 votes (63.45%), defeating her opponent Maxwell Jacob Kravitz, who received 2,040 votes (36.55%). No candidates contested the Republican primary, making Collins-Colding the presumptive favorite in the fall election.
Following her victory, Collins-Colding expressed gratitude and a spirit of unity.
“I am honored to have been selected as the Democratic nominee for Township Committee, and I am excited to appear on the ballot with other Democrats in this crucial general election,” she said in a statement. “To those who did not vote for me, I hope to earn your trust. Congratulations to Max Kravitz for running a strong race. I vow to serve all residents of Maplewood, and I look forward to collaborating with the other members of the Township Committee to keep Maplewood affordable, safe, and strong.”
A Life of Service
An entrepreneur, community organizer, and mother of five—who has also fostered more than 20 children—Collins-Colding brings a legacy of compassion and leadership to her campaign. For nearly two decades, she has lived in the South Orange-Maplewood (SOMA) community, where her children and foster children have attended every school in the district. She has remained a dedicated parent and community participant, especially at Tuscan, Montrose, and Maplewood Middle Schools.
Her service extends beyond her immediate community. After Hurricane Sandy, she coordinated relief efforts with Morrow United Methodist Church, delivering meals to seniors. She also founded Feed 2000, a nonprofit that fights hunger locally and abroad. Through the organization, she has organized food and toy donations for shelters like Turning Point in Irvington and Isaiah House in East Orange, and helped send school supplies to children in Africa, where she also built a school that continues to serve students today.
Leadership and Civic Engagement
Collins-Colding is actively involved in civic life. She serves as a District Leader on the Maplewood Democratic Committee, is a member of the Maplewood Senior Advisory Committee and the Hilton Neighborhood Association, and is the Co-Founder and Chair of the New Jersey Black Empowerment Coalition (NJBEC). Through NJBEC, she works with the Governor’s Office to expand youth voting rights and reform parole policies to reduce recidivism.
She also sits on the Steering Committee of the We The People coalition and the Governance Committee of EQUIP NJ, both of which promote democracy and social justice statewide.
In 2024, Collins-Colding was instrumental in fundraising and get-out-the-vote efforts for Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic candidates.
A Vision for Maplewood
If elected in November, Collins-Colding pledges to bring an “ethic of service” to the Township Committee. At a recent candidate forum hosted by the Hilton Neighborhood Association, she emphasized her commitment to engaging the community on contentious local issues such as development, the future of the former movie theater site, and bike lanes.
She identified affordability as a key priority.
“I know what it means to struggle with rising taxes, utility bills, and housing costs,” she said. “I will work to ensure Maplewood remains livable for families, seniors, and those on fixed incomes.”
Safety is also at the forefront of her agenda. She supports expanded traffic-calming measures to protect children and pedestrians, and reaffirmed her commitment to defending immigrant and LGBTQ+ residents from potential federal overreach.
A Leader for Challenging Times
With potential federal budget cuts looming and progressive values under threat, Collins-Colding believes her experience uniquely positions her to lead. She has raised over $1 million in nonprofit grants, managed complex budgets, and has a proven history of mobilizing voters and advocating for vulnerable communities.
“This is a pivotal moment for inclusive communities like Maplewood,” she said. “We must protect our values, invest wisely, and uplift every resident—especially the most vulnerable.”
As Maplewood prepares for November’s general election, Jane Collins-Colding’s victory in the Democratic primary positions her as a formidable and community-rooted candidate ready to bring vision and dedication to local government.
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