Rice served at various levels of government for 40 years
Former state Sen. Ron Rice has died at the age of 77. Rice, a longtime civil rights icon and a well-known Newark Democrat, served at various levels of government for 40 years, including 36 years in the state Senate.
Rice, a former U.S. Marine, was one of the state’s longest-serving legislators before resigning from his position last year, two years after the death of his wife Shirley in August 2020. He is survived by his two children.
Raven Santana is an award-winning journalist with a passion for serving New Jersey’s diverse communities and a highly respected member of her own. Santana has served as correspondent/sub-anchor for NJ Spotlight News since 2018. She’s reported on the state’s business climate, health care issues, undocumented workers legislation and more. She also hosts New Jersey Business Beat with Raven Santana on NJ PBS. The first woman of color in that role, she has made it a mission to focus on often-overlooked aspects of business, from BIPOC ownership to gaps in equity and inclusion. Her recent accolades include being recognized in 2023 as part of COLOR Magazine's Power 40 Under 40 list, and in Perth Amboy Free Public Library’s 2nd Annual Women’s History Month Celebration, where she received a mayoral citation and the NJ Senate/General Assembly presented her with a Joint Legislative Resolution. She also serves on The WNET Group’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion council and is vice president of The Second Street Youth Center, based in Plainfield.
