About Council Member
Charles A. Bell

Contact: (973) 733-5870

The life story of Charles A. Bell reveals a career of accomplishments dedicated to human welfare. Charles was born and raised in Craven Terrace Public Housing Projects in New Bern, North Carolina. He comes from a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Charles was a well known young man who made deliveries of medicines from the drug store and groceries from the market on his bicycle. Despite his longing to play basketball, baseball or football, working to help support his family was his daily chore. He accepted the responsibility proudly and wholeheartedly.

It was in high school that Charles’ leadership skills were groomed and developed. He served as President of the Student Council of New Bern High School, President of the Science Club, Captain of the Debating Team and a member of the National Honor Society. His daily schedule year after year was work and study, study and work.

As racial encounters and confrontations developed in the South, Charles became more active in the civil rights movement. He became very active in the NAACP Youth Council in New Bern, North Carolina, of which he was President. Upon graduation, he decided to move to New York City. In Harlem and in the Bedford-Stuyvesant district, he participated in freedom marches, mass demonstrations, and boycotts.

The innate drive for scholastic achievement, advanced education, creative and innovative experience has been an integral part of the genetic endowment of Charles A. Bell. He continued his study of chemistry at Brooklyn Community College and later at the Newark College of Engineering, specializing in Organic Chemistry. The Continental Chemical Company elevated him from the position of Chemist to Supervisor of the company. His vocational growth on his career ladder was an undeniable tribute to sheer work and study.

In 1964, the City of Newark beckoned Charles. The Troy Chemical Company invited him to be their Quality Control Chemist. He was in charge of research and development of organic compounds and chemical additives used in food. The tasks and responsibilities of such a position were indeed most exacting.

The year of 1968 was a momentous period in the life of Charles A. Bell. The scholarly Charles plunged headlong into problems of civil rights, community services and labor relations. He matriculated at Rutgers University for courses and workshops in contemporary urban problems. For the next three years, he delved into the complexities of jobs, wages, working conditions and managerial policies. Creative thinking, innovative changes and the guts to implement them were but a few characteristics Charles exemplified daily. The transition from the chemical lab to total involvement in the social, political, and economic turmoil tested his stability and force of character. This was our Charles A. Bell.

Once again, he returned to the classroom- this time to Seton Hall University, the Universities of Maryland and Missouri to update his knowledge and be trained in community organization and collective bargaining. Charles had to delve into the tumultuous problems of racism, prejudice, deprivation in health and education, unemployment, strikes boycotts, job actions, and acts of violence.

Charles was Director of Education for the AFL-CIO where he worked unceasingly in labor workshops and conferences. He opened doors for the economically deprived to enter health occupations and civil service jobs. He was aware of the age old injustices of business and industry in the treatment of Black People of America. He organized a series of educational and remedial programs for union members and construction workers.

He became Director of the Newark Housing Council. With his engineering staff, he developed policy and plans for new housing units throughout the city. His administrative skill was duly respected by many.

Charlie has always been an advocate for quality education. He proudly served on the Newark Board of Education for over twenty five years, under four superintendents. He is Co- Founder and Former President of Project Pride, which raised millions of dollars in scholarship aid for Newark area students. Under his leadership, the Newark Housing Authority Scholarship Association raised over five hundred thousand dollars in scholarship money for public housing students.

As Director of the Affirmative Action Division of the Newark Housing Authority, Charles got thousands of jobs for Newark residents by enforcing HUD Section 3 and MBE requirements. He also created contracts and opportunities for Newark businesses.

During his tenure as Central Ward Councilman and Chairman of Newark Municipal Council’s Affirmative Action Committee he created a bridge between local unions and construction trade programs and successfully opened the door of opportunity for skilled laborers to gain employment. He empowered Newark residents by hosting community meetings throughout the city in a collaborative effort with the Newark Police Department to take back our streets and fight crime, block by block. He is the mastermind of the “Food For Thought” Initiative which provides fresh meats, vegetables, fruits and canned goods to housing complexes and senior citizen communities throughout the city.

In addition to all of his accomplishments, Charles is a family man. He is the proud husband of Lillie V. Bell of 46 years. Together, they have three daughters, Cynthia, Myriam, and Kelli; and five grandchildren, Charles, Heaven, Melodee, Ayrielle, and Jaleem.