Mr. Stevenson’s Family:
Back row, left to right
Tony Stevenson (son), Troy Stevenson (son), Jayden Moore (grandson), Anthony Moore (grandson)
Front row, left to right
Mrs. Jacqueline Stevenson, Rochelle (Shelly) Stevenson Moore (daughter), Jackie Stevenson Moore (daughter)
Central New Jersey Board of Education Names District Administration Building the ‘James E. Stevenson Board of Education Building’ to Honor District’s First Black Board Member
A New Jersey school board held a special session in October 2021 to name the district’s administration building after the first Black school board member to serve that district. On Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, during a special session, the Hamilton Township Board of Education passed a resolution renaming the administration building the James E. Stevenson Board of Education Building.
Stevenson moved to Hamilton, New Jersey, in 1947 and was a graduate of Hamilton High School West, Class of 1957. In high school, he excelled in football and baseball. He attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, on a football scholarship and was later awarded a baseball scholarship. In 1959, he was recognized by the American Baseball League and signed to play professional baseball in the Negro Baseball League with the “Indianapolis Clowns.” He married the former Jacqueline Collins in 1960 and four children were born to this union: Troy, Jacqueline, Anthony (Tony), and Rochelle (Shelley). Stevenson devoted his time and efforts to his family and community, assisting the youth in the community with a willing heart and his resources. He established a basketball team for youth who were left out of the local organized sports programs.
Stevenson went on to become the first elected Black official in Hamilton Township, winning a school board seat in 1976. He secured two additional terms and served the district as a board member for 10 years. He was considered a guiding light for many in the Hamilton community, which is located south of Princeton, New Jersey.
James Eugene Stevenson, affectionately known as “Junebug” was born on January 2, 1938, in Alexandria, Virginia, to the late James and Margaret Stevenson. After a long illness, he died on March 6, 2021 – at the age of 83 – at home with his family. Stevenson was known throughout the Hamilton community as a devoted family man who always had time to nurture students, teachers and even budding politicians. He was a lifelong supporter of education and public service.
