jun 4, 1968 - First African-American Town Council Candidate

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On June 4, 1968, Henry Epps won the Democratic nomination for Ward 3 Town Council member through write-in votes, becoming the first African-American Town Council candidate. Ralph Jefferson, the first African-American member of the Board of Education, served as his campaign manager.

Mr. Epps was an active member of the Westfield Civic Improvement Association, vice president of the NAACP in Roselle, member of the Masonic Lodge, and former headmaster at Columbus School. He was also an engineer and laboratory directory for the AST/SERVO Systems Company of Newark.

“Beyond the fact that [Mr. Epps] is well qualified for the position, I sincerely feel that in times like these Westfield needs a Negro on the Town Council,” said Mr. Jefferson. “In addition to doing an overall excellent job as councilman he would, by his presence, bring first hand knowledge to Town Hall on the questions of race which are so vital to our community and nation.”

Mr. Epps lost the election on November 5, but he set a strong precedent for many other African-American residents to run for leadership positions in Westfield.

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