Speaking with Atlantic City's First Lady Nynell Langford.
ATLANTIC CITY — She looked as regal and as confident standing on the steps of the white house on Monroe Avenue as First Lady Michelle Obama on the steps of the White House in D.C.
Clearly, Nynell Langford was giving (her husband) the mayor (of Atlantic City, Lorenzo Langford) some advice before he left home, a home which really is a lot like the White House with Nynell’s mom and two sons there, instead of two daughters.
Mariah, their daughter who died at age 4, is remembered lovingly everywhere you look inside their stylish home — “the most awesome visitor to have ever passed through here” according to this proud mother — and motherhood is still one of her greatest joys.
Because she’s always loved being a mom, Nynell said as a School Board member, she understands the frustrations of parents when they come before her.
She has one more year to serve on the Atlantic City Board of Education and has not decided yet if she will run again.
“That may be too much Langford for some people,” she laughs, “if my husband decides to run for mayor again.”
During her first term of service Nynell says she has mainly “tried to make a difference” and is most proud of helping save Atlantic City High School’s FCC license for its radio station.
If the mayor does run again, she will play a major role in campaigning, because she enjoys urging people to get-out-the-vote, making them feel a part of something special and taking ownership.
“I have the disease to please,” she says. She loves creating an event, a fashion show, a musical performance, something special where people get more for their money than just a bunch of political speeches.
When I mentioned that I remembered her being in school with my sister and always forming singing groups, she replies, “In a way, I’ve always walked to the beat of my own drum. Maybe it has something to do with the name ‘Nynell’ my father made up. I’ve always felt comfortable in my own skin and could groove to my own beat.”
The eldest of five, Nynell was born in Danville, Va., but came to Atlantic City as a young girl and attended Atlantic City public schools until high school. Then, she completed two years at Holy Spirit and two at Atlantic City High, graduating in 1977.
She planned to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, but to pursue another dream of becoming a vocal artist (she is godmother to pop vocalist Ashante), it wasn’t long before she landed in New York City singing back-up with the Howard Davis Junior Band.
After that, Lorenzo Langford came along. She got married and ended up working in the casino industry for 17 years.
Artistic in so many ways, she quickly sketched very good likenesses of Fred and Wilma Flintstone as we sat talking and it took me a while to stop laughing and get back to more serious concerns.
When I asked how difficult it is to be the wife of a political leader, because you are kind of “damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” Nynell agreed but said she’s learned over the years to do what she’s best at — campaign, coordinate events, especially for girls and women, and support the children of Atlantic City.
Every December, she orchestrates “A Time to Remember” for local mothers who’ve lost children, an event she sadly says has grown from 75 to more than 200 people.
In 2013, let’s ask ourselves what we’re doing or not doing to contribute to the good, and what we’re doing or not doing to contribute to the bad.
Though Atlantic City’s first lady tried to save the best for last, it was difficult — at 7’1” — to keep the “Shaquo-Claus,” as she referred to Shaquille O'Neal, a secret while the children enjoyed their afternoon.
Wash's hosts 'Rewind - Live Radio Show,' bringing back sounds of Motown with several local talented performers.
Well, MJ is gone and Diana can’t make it to Atlantic-Cape Community College, but there will be some phenomenal local talent performing on June 8 and 9 at the Mays Landing campus in the Walter E. Edge Hall.
Generally, shoppers said they were satisfied, but in a way that reminded me of Santorum’s endorsement of Romney: Could be better yet definitely better than no supermarket at all.
We didn’t use the term “food desert,” but we knew exactly what consumer advocates meant when they declared our city one. Food deserts are communities where residents have little to no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Sometimes fresh meats and dairy products are also included.
“Three months to hurry and nine months to worry” was the slogan for locals who looked forward to having work and making as much money as possible during this short period.
One of the best documentaries I watched last month was entitled 'More Than a Month' by Shukree Hassan Tilghman, a film student at Columbia University.
ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City native and long-time community activist Kaleem Shabazz is this year’s recipient of Atlantic County’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Award for “service to his community and concern for his fellow citizens.” The award could not have been presented to a more deserving person. I mentioned him in my book as Theodus Jowers, one of the young activists who stood on his soapbox outside the 1964 Democratic National Convention at Boardwalk Hall (then, Convention Hall), but he’s been Kaleem Shabazz for more than 40 years now. “Brother Kaleem,” as locals fondly refer to him, was only a teenager in 1964, but his love for his community had been nurtured by his parents from a very young age. Still, when Police Captain Collette told him to get down off that soapbox or he would call his parents immediately, the young Kaleem did as he was told. His parents were to be obeyed and respected at all costs, a value instilled in him, his younger brother and two younger sisters. The Jowers were working class people who came to Atlantic City from Pinehurst, North Carolina, in the 30s seeking better opportunities for themselves like most of their contemporaries. Though neither had...
Mrs. Elaine Milan is the perfect match for her husband, clearly intelligent, thoughtful and attractive. She had already graduated from Hampton University when she arrived in A.C. in 1964 to work at Indiana Avenue School, and later, she earned her master’s degree at Glassboro.
Over the last few months when families were gathering for all types of occasions, some of the young men in our family refused to attend because of “so many divorced couples and so few new marriages.” I was disappointed by their absence but understood their sentiments. Like many modern American families, we’ve had so many divorces now that one niece asked, “Is divorce a tradition in our family?”
If you’ve never been to the Civil Rights Garden in Atlantic City, you should make it a point to drop by there and sit awhile. It is a contemplative place.
Last Thursday, April 5, Henrietta Shelton and the Chicken Bone Beach Foundation opened their spring jazz series at Top of the Trop in the Tropicana Casino. With a room full of supporters, Mayor Lorenzo Langford was on deck to present Henrietta with a proclamation from the City of Atlantic City for service to the community by way of preserving family values, developing community engagement and promoting an appreciation of America’s classical music — jazz.
A real celebration of the life of Hassan Abdullah (aka Stanley Barber) took place on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27, at Wash’s Inn in Pleasantville.
Plans were in the works to try to get Scott-Heron to perform in Atlantic City this summer, for one of the city=sponsored concerts at Gardner's Basin. I also suggested to the organizers of the Dave Matthews Band Caravan festival coming to Atlantic City June 24-26, to reach out to Gil to have him as one of the dozens of artists on the bill.
Regardless how crowded an art opening may be, you feel the presence and promise of Kaleem Shabazz. As executive director of the Atlantic City Art Center, he has gained a reputation for delivering div...
Article:
Meeting Atlantic City's Democratic Mayoral Candidates
Article:
Jacob Lawrence Day in Atlantic City
Article:
Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month
Article:
Governor Christie and Pam Breaux Encouraging at Tourism Conference
Article:
E.B. Lewis at Stockton's Noyes Museum
Article:
Black History, Jazz and Poetry
Article:
AAHMSNJ Honored with Rosa Parks Stamp Unveiling
Article:
Some Exciting Events Planned for Black History Month
1. Denise J. Washington said... on May 2, 2012 at 12:24PM
“
A very inspiring read. What a Lady.
”
2. Hassan (#2) said... on May 18, 2012 at 02:01PM
“For all those who want jump on the "Bandwagon of Negativity" you need to step in the shoes of those you criticize BEFORE you speak. As I said in a commentary a few months ago in the Press of AC after the M.L. King festivities, there are far too many people in AC and all over the world who think they have all the answers but do absolutely nothing FOR the community -- except talk and criticize.
That said, I am proud to have such an ordinary, down-to-earth person serving as mayor and such a caring, supportive woman as First Lady.”