Quinton Law made Moorestown history on two fronts at the Jan. 27 township council meeting. Upon his official swearing in, he became the first Black and youngest person appointed to town council.
Law was appointed to fill the seat left vacant by former Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly. Sen. Cory Booker was in virtual attendance at the meeting to administer the official oath of office. He thanked council for inviting him to attend and congratulated Law on twice making Moorestown history. He stressed that Quinton is a “rising star,” not just in the state but in the nation.
“He is somebody that inspires me: His love of community and his willingness to serve truly show what’s the greatest calling of any human being, which is to serve others,” Booker said.
Law thanked fellow council members and town hall staff for making his transition a smooth and welcoming one.
“I’m ready to serve my community and to get to work,” he said.
Mayor Nicole Gillespie said she looks forward to working with Law in the year ahead.
“We’re really happy to have you on the team,” she noted.
The 23-year-old has already made an impact as a Moorestown community leader. This summer, Law became one of the founding members of Moorestown Alumni for Racial Equity & Inclusion (MAREI), a multicultural group of past graduates who advocate for racial equity and inclusion in the Moorestown school district.
In July, the group outlined goals for the district and met with stakeholders at all levels to discuss how to make them a reality. In October, MAREI co-hosted the district’s first community forum on race, Exploring Race and Racism at Moorestown Township Public Schools. Law was in attendance as MAREI’s representative and discussed the group’s commitment to identifying long-standing issues within the schools and generating solutions.
“The essence of our mission is to reveal the painful realities of racism and inequality within our district, and to do what we can to remedy them,” Law said at the time.
Earlier this month, he was also sworn in as one of the new officers of the Southern Burlington County NAACP and will serve as the chair of the group’s education committee. Gillespie administered the new officers’ oaths.
“Quinton, you’re going to be a busy guy, but you’re up to all the jobs, I’m sure,” she said.
Law will also play a role in the township’s equity efforts. Deputy Mayor Sue Mammarella has been engaged in conversations with Law about creating an equity and inclusion committee or group in the township. She said they generated some good ideas, but asked that council make the committee part of its Feb. 8 council discussions.
“Creating this committee would represent an important step forward in Moorestown, and I’m excited to talk about it more,” Law noted.
Council’s next virtual meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m.
