Leaders are born with a drive that can not be deterred. For it is not enough for those who are destined to greatness to only achieve in one arena, but the ongoing desire to continue to make history within their lives. Such was the life of Glenn D. Cunningham. Glenn made history by becoming the first black US Marshall in New Jersey and later to be elected as Jersey City's first African American Mayor.

His public life started many years ago as a member of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, it continued as a Councilman in Ward F and later as a Councilman at Large on the Jersey City Council where he served as President of the Council. He also served as a State Senator. Cunningham by profession was a police officer working for many years in the neighborhood he grew up in. Unfortunately God often takes our heroes away to the promised land far to soon.

His life was cut short several years ago, but the memories live on and so does the legacy, for I do not believe there was ever a person that loved Jersey City more. God has his own way of making sure that the path to eternal life is marked by those that we share our lives with. For Glenn was blessed to have met and married a woman whose class, sophistication and determination in her own right would continue the great deeds that she and her husband once planned. The Glenn D. & Sandra Cunningham Foundation officially opened its offices in the Newport Mall in Jersey City recently. The event marked the essential establishment of a permanent home and space for the work of the foundation to continue.

Many elected officials and community leaders as well as friends and family attended the grand celebration marking the official opening of the offices. The office itself is decorated with memorabilia and artifacts from the life of Jersey City's favorite son and his work. The foundation however had already been active and has been providing scholarships for young people to continue their education for some time now. There are a host of activities and projects planned for the near future, as the organization will also work to assist to provide funding for programs such as those developed to help previous offenders and provide them with a second chance in life.

Sandra Cunningham Jersey City's first African American First Lady continues on the journey that she and her husband began. When you speak with her there is compassion in her yearning to continue the trek.

She believes she must continue for the work is not done. Never has this reporter ever seen a more befitting tribute from one soul mate to another than continue to work for what they both believed in. For all of you who recall the great life of Glenn and the diligence and continued work of Sandra we urge you todonate to the foundation. Sandra may God Bless you in your endeavors and may the flame to continue your work burn forever.