Shine A Light NJ

06/09/2026

Registration is now OPEN for the 2nd Annual Bully the Bully Training Youth Camp!! 🏈

Youth athletes will enjoy a day of skill building and teamwork. They will also have the opportunity to train alongside Jersey City's hometown hero, Elijah Williams of the Minnesota Vikings!! 🏆

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2nd-annual-bully-the-bully-youth-cam

05/21/2026

The 2nd Annual Bully the Bully Training Youth Camp is returning to Jersey City this summer!!! 🏈🏈
We look forward to welcoming back our youth athletes for a day of learning, team building, and leadership development, all while having fun!! 🏆
Stay tuned for more details!! ✨✨

05/06/2026

As we continue our pursuit of empowering families and children, we are proud to announce the launch of our newest program, the Forward Futures Collaborative. Through this collaborative, we will be supporting families and individuals impacted by incarceration.

To keep up with our initiatives, follow the dedicated IG page

03/29/2026

I'm so excited about this! I've been selected to give a Hawk Talk during Scholarship Week at Monmouth!!!
For my Hawk Talk, I'll discuss the evolution of Shine A Light NJ and how we're leveraging community partnerships to empower the youth and families in Jersey City. 🤗

I'm so very grateful to have this platform to talk about this work since it is near and dear to my heart. Hopefully, I can inspire others to get involved with empowering their own communities ❤️

~Tonisha

03/29/2026

Eternally grateful to In the Wake Tv for continually amplifying our work! Check out this wonderful feature video below:

"Every kid has a dream, and it’s up to the adults to bring those dreams to life."

Join Tonisha Taylor (Founder of Shine A Light NJ) and Elijah Williams (Minnesota Vikings) at the inaugural youth camp in Hudson County. This isn't just about football—it's about building confidence, academic excellence, and "bullying the bully" by standing tall.

In this video, Tonisha shares her heart for the Jersey City community and why she’s dedicated to providing the support she wished she had as a child. Watch the first-ever "Big Dog Award" presentation and see how Shine A Light NJ is transforming the lives of 50+ local youth.

https://vimeo.com/1173601690?fl=pl&fe=sh

"Every kid has a dream, and it’s up to the adults to bring those dreams to life." Join Tonisha Taylor (Founder of Shine A Light NJ) and Elijah Williams (Minnesota Vikings) at the inaugural youth camp in Hudson County. This isn't just about football—it's about building confidence, academic excell...

03/29/2026

For , we are honoring Tonisha Taylor Shine A Light NJ. Tonisha’s story is one of "Brooklyn Hustle" meets heart-centered leadership.

After stepping up as the matriarch of her family at age 20, Tonisha didn't just survive—she thrived. She earned three Master’s degrees, became a licensed social worker, and is now a Dean and Nonprofit Founder.

Her nonprofit, Shine A Light NJ, continues the legacy of her late mother by providing academic and recreational support to marginalized communities in Jersey City. She is also a co-author of Black Children of Incarcerated Parents Speak Truth to Power, sharing her journey of redemption and healing.

Tonisha’s Lesson for us all: "There’s no shame in going through a situation beyond your control. What matters most is how you come out on the other side."

Let’s celebrate this incredible Black woman who is turning her testimony into a toolkit for the next generation. 💡📚

📍 Support her mission at: shinealightnj.org

12/02/2025

Grateful for our supporters on this
You can visit our website shinealightnj.org to donate 💜💙

12/01/2025

In 2025, the generosity of so many of you allowed Shine A Light NJ to host several community-building events. Together, we created spaces where the youth of Jersey City could shine and thrive. 🎇

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re planning even more activities that inspire connection and growth, including our Youth Day Camp in July. Your support lights the way for these goals to become reality.

Please consider donating to Shine A Light NJ in support of . Thank you!!! 💜

You can scan the QR code in the post or use the donation link:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/84bd8cfa-2cd5-4ef9-97ec-4d2267ccbd9c

10/24/2025

Last Sunday's Monticello Fall Festival in Jersey City was amazing! We had such a great turnout and we ran out of pumpkins, but it was all for a good cause!!! The vision of the Monticello Fall Festival is to ensure that all families experience the pumpkin picking experience, no matter their location or financial situation. We are to happy to support Millicent Ansah and Lisa Rowe's mission to bring the farm to the city 🎃 🍂

What made this even more special was watching my daughter and nieces step up as volunteers. They assisted with set up, helped children pick and design pumpkins, and helped with clean up when the event was over. I've been really intentional with making sure they are an integral part of what we do at Shine A Light NJ so they learn the value of community firsthand. I'm working to build a legacy that extends beyond me, and it warms my heart to know that they'll be there to carry the torch forward.🧡 🤎 💛

08/27/2025

🎉🏈 Against all odds, Elijah Williams has officially made the Minnesota Vikings' initial 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent! From Lincoln High School in Jersey City to Morgan State to the NFL, Elijah's journey is a testament to grit, heart, and belief.

He’s not just chasing quarterbacks—he’s chasing dreams. And now, he’s become a living example for every young kid in Jersey City who dares to dream big. 💪💜

Coach Jesse Taylor, who helped shape Elijah’s early path, shared:

“Watching Elijah come full circle is one of the greatest honors of my coaching career. That’s not just success, that’s legacy.”

Elijah’s story reminds us: it’s not where you start, it’s how hard you’re willing to work. Let’s celebrate this hometown hero who’s proving that greatness can come from anywhere.