Hasani K. Council, President

Hasani Council was born and raised in the South Ward of the City of Newark and he attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and graduated from University High School. From a young age, Hasani was active as a public servant and a public education advocate fighting for the residents of the City of Newark. He played and coached Pop Warner Football and Little League baseball in the South Ward. He continues to serve as a mentor and role model to others in his community.

As a student at University High School, Hasani was an active civil servant, fighting for social justice and for equality for his peers  and students across the district.  His strong belief in justice and his need to bring awareness to injustice drives his advocacy for equity and fairness.

Upon graduating from University High School, Hasani began his studies at Montclair State University, where he quickly became a student leader and dedicated himself to improving campus life. On his first day, he became actively involved in student organizations and focused on positive change for the student body. He was elected Vice President of his Hall Council and later served as Executive Vice President of the Residence Hall Association. Hasani also served as a legislator in the Student Government Association and participated on three committees, chairing one of them.

Hasani was elected to serve on the Montclair State University Board of Trustees, where he spent two years as a Student Trustee collaborating closely with the university president. He was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Red Hawk Pride Society. Hasani earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Law and Governance from Montclair State University.

He currently serves as Chief of Staff to South Ward Council Member Patrick Council and is the Democratic District Leader for the 36th District of the South Ward. Hasani previously worked as a Legislative Aide for former South Ward Council Member John Sharpe James, as a counselor with the United Community Corporation, and held several internships with both the City of Newark and the Passaic County Democratic Committee.

Hasani is also deeply involved in fraternal and community life. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as chapter president for his undergraduate chapter and served on the fraternity’s Regional Political and Civic Engagement Committee. He is a Deacon at St. John Baptist Church and remains actively engaged in church ministries.