Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Ryan Haygood and Charity Haygood
Date(s): Saturday, July 25, 2026
Official Street Name(s): Intersection of Parkview Terrace and Hansbury Avenue
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Ryan and Charity Haygood Way
Sponsor: Council-Member, Patrick O. Council
Additional Information:
Ceremony scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Saturday, July 25, 2026
body
WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc., for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Ryan and Charity Haygood are passionate leaders, mentors, and advocates dedicated to advancing justice, education, and opportunity in the Newark community and beyond. Ryan Haygood is a nationally respected civil rights lawyer and serves as President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. Prior to joining the Institute, Ryan served as Deputy Director of Litigation at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), spearheading their Legal Defense and Educational Fund. During his tenure, he litigated some of the nation's most significant civil rights cases, including defending a key provision of the Voting Rights Act before the U.S. Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS, Charity Haygood has devoted more than two decades to educating and empowering Newark's youth. her career as a Teach for America Corps Member at Bragraw Avenue School in Newark's South Ward, there she taught literacy, social studies, and science to middle school students for nearly a decade. With a Master's degree in Supervision and Administration, she continued to serve the many Newark Public School students as Vice Principal at Chancellor Avenue School and as Principal of Avon Elementary School. Known as a passionate, high-expectation educator, as a recipient of the Governor's Teacher Recognition Program Award in both 2004 and 2005, Charity has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to education throughout her career; and
WHEREAS, together, Ryan and Charity Haygood remain deeply committed to investing in the next generation. They serve as mentors through Newark's C.H.O.S.E.N., an organization dedicated to preparing young people for purpose-driven lives by cultivating spiritual growth, strong character, educational excellence, leadership, advocacy, and community service. Through their professional leadership and personal commitment to mentoring, the Haygood’s continue to inspire positive change in their community and beyond.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Parkview Terrace and Hansbury Avenue as “Ryan and Charity Haygood Way”.
2. The official name of said streets shall remain as Parkview Terrace and Hansbury Avenue, in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Parkview Terrace and Hansbury Avenue “Ryan and Charity Haygood Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.