Segregation and Reparation
Read The Jersey Bee’s award-winning reporting to learn about segregation and solutions to inequity in the Garden State.
About our reporting
New Jersey was referred to as the “slave state of the North” and home to more than two-thirds of all of the enslaved people in the Northern United States by the 1830s. While slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865, the legacy of slavery and unequal treatment continues in New Jersey’s housing, education, healthcare, and other systems today.
This reporting was produced to help local residents understand the history of segregation and impact of systemic racism on life in Essex County. In 2025, it was recognized with an Excellence in New Jersey Local News Award from the Center for Cooperative Media and NJ News Commons.
HISTORY OF SEGREGATION
Community conversations center segregation and reparations in Essex County suburbs
Attendees at events in Maplewood and Montclair discussed the impact of redlining, systemic discrimination, and reparations at forums hosted by The Jersey Bee.
In Essex County, New Jersey’s history of segregation persists
The Jersey Bee is launching a project with Next City to explore segregation in Essex County and New Jersey. Here is what we know about the former “slave state of the North” and what you can do to help us report.
ABOUT REPARATIONS
Advocates will propose a reparations plan for New Jersey. Here is what residents should know
In 2025, a committee of advocates will propose how New Jersey can implement reparations for Black people. Here is what we know so far.
ALL REPORTING
Los candidatos a la gobernación de Nueva Jersey en 2025 responden preguntas sobre segregación y equidad
The Jersey Bee preguntó a 12 candidatos a la gobernación de Nueva Jersey cuáles eran sus planes para un estado más justo y equitativo. Seis respondieron. Esto es lo que contestaron.
‘Everybody needs a village’: In New Jersey, a community of health providers redesign care for Black mothers
Black women are nearly seven times more likely to die than white women from a pregnancy-related death in New Jersey. A number of promising programs – designed by and for Black women – could change that.
N.J. 2025 governor candidates answer questions on segregation and equity
The Jersey Bee asked 12 candidates for governor in New Jersey their plans for a more just and equitable state. Six responded. Here’s what they said.
New N.J. affordable housing guidelines call for 3,700 more affordable homes in Essex County by 2035
New housing law could bring more than 84,000 new affordable housing units across New Jersey by 2035, with half reserved for low-income families.
Community conversations center segregation and reparations in Essex County suburbs
Attendees at events in Maplewood and Montclair discussed the impact of redlining, systemic discrimination, and reparations at forums hosted by The Jersey Bee.
Centros antiaborto aparentan ser clínicas de salud y se enfocan en quienes buscan atención de aborto en New Jersey
Hay casi el doble de centros antiaborto que la cantidad de clínicas de aborto en Nueva Jersey. Con frecuencia respaldados por grupos religiosos, se asemejan a las clínicas de salud y se enfocan en personas de bajos ingresos, inmigrantes y comunidades de color.
Anti-abortion centers take on appearance of health clinics, target people seeking abortion care in New Jersey
There are almost twice as many anti-abortion centers as actual abortion clinics in New Jersey. Often backed by religious ministries, they resemble health clinics and target low-income people, immigrants, and communities of color.
Newark residents build power to shape city’s redevelopment
Newark groups launch “development watch” to inform residents of property development in their neighborhoods and train them to help shape zoning and land use decisions.
El 25% de los inquilinos en NJ no pueden pagar el alquiler de su vivienda. ¿Qué pasará cuando entren en vigor las nuevas normas sobre vivienda asequible?
Durante la conferencia del gobernador sobre vivienda de 2024, los responsables de crear las normas y políticas debatieron sobre la expansión en la creación de viviendas multifamiliares y la construcción sostenible, pero prestaron poca atención a la búsqueda de soluciones al problema de segregación.
25% of N.J. renters can’t afford housing. What’s next as new affordable housing rules take effect?
Policymakers discussed expanding multi-family housing and building sustainably at the 2024 governor’s conference on housing but paid little attention to remedying segregation.
La mayoría de los inmigrantes latinos dijeron que no sabían que el aborto era legal en NJ. Conoce el grupo que ayuda al estado a entender por qué
Un modelo de salud comunitaria muestra potencial para ampliar el acceso a la atención de salud reproductiva para los inmigrantes latinos del estado.
Most Latinx immigrants said they didn’t know abortion was legal in New Jersey. Meet the group helping the state understand why
A community health model shows potential for expanding reproductive health care access for the state’s Latinx immigrants.
Advocates will propose a reparations plan for New Jersey. Here is what residents should know
In 2025, a committee of advocates will propose how New Jersey can implement reparations for Black people. Here is what we know so far.
Urban farms are a lifeline for food-insecure residents. Will New Jersey finally make them permanent?
Urban farms in Essex County, New Jersey are calling on municipal and state governments for long-term investment to combat food insecurity.
En el condado de Essex, persiste la historia de segregación de Nueva Jersey
The Jersey Bee ha iniciado un proyecto con Next City para explorar la segregación en el condado de Essex y en Nueva Jersey. Esto es lo que sabemos sobre el antiguo “estado esclavista del Norte” y lo que puedes hacer para ayudarnos a reportar sobre este tema.
In Essex County, New Jersey’s history of segregation persists
The Jersey Bee is launching a project with Next City to explore segregation in Essex County and New Jersey. Here is what we know about the former “slave state of the North” and what you can do to help us report.
