Acting Attorney General addresses NextGen class at NAACP Convention
The NAACP NextGen Leadership program celebrated its graduating classes of 2019 and 2020 during the 113th annual NAACP Convention in Atlantic City.
ATLANTIC CITY — Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin is the youngest person in the country to hold a state’s highest law enforcement office.
“It’s OK to be a little bit bold,” Platkin told a crowd of young professionals at the NextGen Leadership Program breakfast meeting at Kelsey’s restaurant during the 113 th annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
The programs Platkin is establishing are just that — bold. He highlighted several initiatives during the breakfast meeting, a community information session hosted by the NAACP and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and in subsequent interviews.
New Jersey will have the strongest police licensing program in the country, he said.
“Are you a member of a hate group? Are you posting things on social media that indicate you’re a member of one of those groups or harbor those views?” Platkin asked rhetorically. “You’re not going to have the privilege of carrying a gun and wearing a badge.”
Platkin said he is also working to implement the “Arrive Together” program statewide, which facilitates mental health professionals being dispatched with police officers in unmarked vehicles at certain calls. The program was launched in Cumberland County in December of 2021 as a way to better serve when addressing mental health or emotional distress calls. It has been so successful that it is being expanded, he said.
“We can produce better outcomes,” Platkin said. “We’re building trust with the community.”
Yolanda N. Melville, of Cooper Levinson law firm who chairs the national NAACP NextGen Leadership program and is also vice president of the NAACP Atlantic City branch, said the breakfast was a combination celebration for the classes of 2019 and 2020.
The NextGen program offers leadership and advocacy training to young adults from 21-40 years old. Program members are encouraged to network with one another and develop a better understanding of “issues impacting the Black community,” according to the NAACP program description.
Platkin said he hoped the young people would develop their networks and learn as much as possible from the people they work for and work with.
“You have a lot of friends in New Jersey,” Platkin said. “Keep growing. Keep fighting.”
Atlantic City Focus
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Mark Tyler graduated from Atlantic City High School and went on to Columbia Union College, in Takoma Park, MD, which is now Washington Adventist University.
Mark earned a BA degree in Journalism. His major was Journalism/Publications. His minor was Communications. Upon graduation, he accepted a three-month internship with his hometown paper The Press of Atlantic City. That three-month internship was extended to six months and in the fifth month he was hired as a professional Staff Writer.
Mark worked as a Staff Writer for The Press for approximately six years before also being given responsibilities as a Weekend Assignment Coordinator.
During his 10 years at The Press, he won the following awards:
New Jersey Press Association Better Newspaper Contest
Responsible Journalism First Amendment
(The Art Weissman Memorial Award)
Local School Boards Rack Up Travel Expenses
3rd Place, Daily over 60,000
2002
New Jersey Press Association Better Newspaper Contest
Reporting and Writing, Community Home Run Award
Her Kitchen Long on Love, Short on Funds
3rd Place, Daily Over 60,000
2002
Garden State Association of Black Journalists
Features Award
Big Ben
2nd Place, Daily Over 60,000
1998
Mark prides himself on upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and has been working tirelessly to make this website a respected source for local news, events, business listings and discussion!
RELIGION
Mark has been a life-long Seventh-day Adventist Christian. He observes the Sabbath from sunset on Friday evening until sunset on Saturday evening so if you reach out to him and he doesn’t respond immediately please don’t be offended. He is observing his faith.
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