1944*-2019
Trish Morris-Yamba was recognized as a visionary in the field of early childhood education, founding the CHEN school and working as director of the Newark Day Center for 32 years.
Trish Morris-Yamba was born in New York and attended Rutgers Livingston College. By 1973, she was founding director of the CHEN school for preschool children, receiving an Outstanding Child Care Service Award from the Day Care Coordinating Council of Essex County in 1978. By 1980, she was chairwoman of the Essex County Title XX Coalition and was appointed to the Essex County Mental Health Advisory Board.
In 1981, Trish was appointed executive director of Newark Day Center, which included the Newark Fresh Air Fund. She served in this position for 32 years, and was honored for her work in 2013.
In 1987, Trish married the President of Essex County College, A. Zachary Yamba.
Trish was founding member and vice chair of the Metro Newark chapter of the National Congress of Black Women, listed as head of the group in 1988. She was also President of the board of trustees of the Newark Public Library and as a trustee of the NJPAC Women’s Board Association. She was a board member of Newark Emergency Services for Families and on the Community Advisory Board of Thirteen/WNET.
*though articles list her as 80 at death, public records have a birthday of Sept 15, 1944
Bibliography
Griffith, Janelle, “Saluting a Career that’s Eased the Hard Lot of Newark’s Needy” Star Ledger Jun 2, 2013.
“Remembering Trish-Morris Yamba” New Community Corp
Extensive Star Ledger coverage
Carter, Barry. “A Dedicated Advocate for Children Dies at 80” Star Ledger Mar 14, 2019
Bullock, Marilyn “Kids Get Special Help at Newark Day Center” Star Ledger Dec 2, 1973
“School director honored” Star Ledger Jun 22, 1978
“Mental health advisors” Star Ledger, Mar 4, 1980
Top photo from Newark Library, Tiny Prince Collection
“Saluting a Career” Star Ledger Jun 2, 2013: https://www.nj.com/news/2013/06/fresh_air_fund.html
Kukla, Barbara “A new chief for Day Center” Star Ledger Sept 21, 1981
“Wedded bliss” Star Ledger Apr 13, 1987
“Women’s Congress Opens Membership” Star Ledger Feb 22, 1988