On today's episode of Humans of Montclair, Anna sits down and speaks to Congressowman Mikie Sherrill, one of Montclair's congressional representatives. Mikie Sherrill represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of Montclair, as well as parts of  Morris, Sussex, and Passaic county.

Mikie is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and spent almost 10 years as a helicopter pilot, where she flew missions throughout the Middle East and Europe. She worked on the Battle Watch Floor in the European Theater during the Iraq invasion, and served as a Flag Aide to the Deputy Commander in Chief of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Congresswoman Sherrill also served as a Russian policy officer and worked on the implementation of our nuclear treaty obligations and oversaw the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Russia’s Navy.

Mikie won her election to the house of representatives in 2018, and is running for reelection in this year's 2022 midterm elections. 

To say that Michael Callejas is involved with Montclair's community is an understatement. 

He knows everyone. He's a kind, compassionate, approachable member of our community. He is also a rising sophomore at Montclair State University and an incredible photographer. 

Michael has been taking photos for a very long time. At first, it started just by taking photos with friends or alone, just for the joy of doing it. But it was when Montclair High School's student body hosted its June 2020 Unity Walk, a peaceful protest in response to police brutality and the death of George Floyd, that Michael realized how much photography meant to him. It became more than something he enjoyed, but rather a passion, something he was willing to pursue. Since then, he's taken incredible photos for Montclair and beyond. Listen to his story here. 

Follow Michael on Instagram: @callejasphotos 

His Website: www.michaelcallejas.com 

Follow Humans of Montclair on Instagram: @Humansofmtc 

Listen here: www.humansofmtc.com

On today's episode of Humans of Montclair, I interviewed Robert Genovese of Local Coffee Montclair. Together we had a conversation about the story behind local, working in the hospitality business, local’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Local’s art residency as well as their contributions to the Montclair community.

On this week's episode of Humans of Montclair, I sat down with The Montclair Foundation and Van Vleck House and Gardens. I spoke to Director of Development Anita Peterson, Eileen Lundberg, Communications Manager at the Montclair Foundation. Laura Roberts, The Director of Horticulture for van Vleck Gardens, and Educator at The Montclair Foundation Van Vleck House and Gardens Denise Barth. I talked to the four of them about the history of the Montclair Foundation, the local nonprofit support that they provide, and the profound impact that Van Vleck and the Montclair Foundation had on the Montclair community during the height of the pandemic.