Rutgers dedicates center in honor of late NJ Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver

NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11)-- Sheila Oliver was New Jersey's first Black female Lieutenant Governor and New Jersey's first woman of color to hold a statewide public office.

Even though Oliver is no longer here, her legacy endures in many ways. The latest example: as the namesake of Rutgers-Newark's Center for Politics and Race in America.

A 'fact-tank' where students study the links between race and politics, the late Lieutenant Governor's niece, Renee Oliver, was honored to help dedicate it in her Aunt's memory.

"It's seven months today since she passed," said Renee Oliver. "She passed on August 1st last year. We're still reeling in the loss. But it's through these honorings that we're able to continue to keep her legacy alive and push it forward.

"On the drive over, the sun is shining, we know Aunt Sheila is shining down on us. She's with us here today, smiling with pride and joy," she continued.

The legacy and the spirit of the trailblazing Lieutenant Governor were felt all over the room, not just by her family, but students.

"The late Lieutenant Governor was a mentor to me, she was like a sister, she was like a mom," said Safanya Searcy, a justice and political science student at Rutgers-Newark who will be applying for a scholarship in Oliver's name who was announced Friday with Johnson & Johnson.

"It was her guidance that I sought in every phase of my career up until the moment she wasn't able to anymore," said Searcy. "She was just influential."

For economics major Kai Cobbs, seeing Oliver's long list of accomplishments inspires him. "It's really impactful to see people who look like me in positions of power like this," said Cobbs. "It gives me hope that more of us will get through the door so we can really tackle important issues."