Jessie has been a proud resident of Asbury Park for over 56 years. Having spent her entire adult life as a resident of Asbury Park Jessie has been deeply committed to the betterment of our community and schools. Jessie’s connection to the Asbury Park School System runs deep, having been employed within the district for 23 years at the Asbury Park Middle School and the Dorothy L McNish Parent Center. During those 23 years she worked as a District Wide Community Liaison/Coordinator and a Truant Officer. As a Community Liaison she was supervisor for all building based liaisons. As a parent resource person, she coordinated parent engagement activities and workshops, created and distributed quarterly newsletters to parents and community, and served as advisor to the Parent Advisory Council (PAC).

Jessie is honored to currently serve as a member of the Asbury Park Board of Education, Jessie looks to continue the great works she has done since her January 2021 swearing in.

Jessie has contributed in several ways to the Asbury Park School District:

• Contributing and helping organize the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO);

• Contributing and helping organize The Parent Advisory Council (PAC);

• Contributing and helping organize the High School’s Booster Club.

Most notably, Jessie was instrumental in naming the Dorothy L McNish Parent Center in 2003, and was a member of the PTO when the School District purchased the Bradley School and the Middle School marquee. Her connection to the Asbury Park School System runs deep. Her husband and his family are graduates of the school district as well as her children.

Jessie’s commitment to civic engagement extends in other ways:

• Jessie is an elected member of the Asbury Park Democratic Committee, representing District 9, where she held the position of Parliamentarian. She has been an active participant in the democratic process, contributing to the growth and well-being of our city'.

• Jessie served 17-years as a Commissioner for the Asbury Park Housing Authority. During her tenure, she served as chairperson and vice chairperson, playing a crucial role in addressing housing needs within our community.

• Member of the Asbury Park Rent Leveling Committee as a homeowner since May, 2021.

• Member of the Asbury Park Recreation Advisory Committee.

• Served on various committees throughout the city, such as the Homelessness Committee under former City Manager Anthony Nuccio, and the Brookdale Asbury Park Advisory Committee.

Jessie has been recognized for her dedication to our community in the following ways:

• Honored by the city of Asbury Park's Black History Month Celebration and presented a Community Service Award;

• February 28, 2024, was declared Jessie M. Ricks Day in Asbury Park by the Mayor and City Council;

• Received a Joint Legislative Resolution from State Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblywomen Peterpaul and Assemblywomen Donlon on February 28, 2024;

• Received the Wilbur Ray Scholarship for Community Service Award; 

• Received the Brookdale Community College Distinguished Alumni Award.

"I SHORE love Asbury Park," and this sentiment guides Jessie’s every step as she continues to move about this beautiful city. She is dedicated to volunteering and advocating for positive change, encouraging parent and community engagement in raising the educational bar for our students wherever and whenever she can.