Hasani K. Council was born and raised in the South Ward of the City of Newark, where he attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and later graduated from University High School. From a young age, Hasani was devoted to public service and became an early advocate for public education, fighting for the rights and well-being of Newark residents. He played and coached Pop Warner football and Little League baseball in the South Ward and continues to serve as a mentor and role model in his community.

As a student at University High School, Hasani was an active civil servant, passionately advocating for social justice and equality for his peers and students across the district. His deep commitment to fairness and equity has driven his lifelong advocacy work.

Upon graduating from University High School, Hasani began his studies at Montclair State University, where he quickly became a student leader and dedicated himself to improving campus life. On his first day, he became actively involved in student organizations and focused on positive change for the student body. 

He was elected Vice President of his Hall Council and later served as Executive Vice President of the Residence Hall Association. Hasani also served as a legislator in the Student Government Association and participated on three committees, chairing one of them.

Hasani was elected to serve on the Montclair State University Board of Trustees, where he spent two years as a Student Trustee collaborating closely with the university president. He was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Red Hawk Pride Society. Hasani earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Law and Governance from Montclair State University.

He currently serves as Chief of Staff to South Ward Council Member Patrick Council and is the Democratic District Leader for the 36th District of the South Ward. Hasani previously worked as a Legislative Aide for former South Ward Council Member John Sharpe James, as a counselor with the United Community Corporation, and held several internships with both the City of Newark and the Passaic County Democratic Committee.

Hasani is also deeply involved in fraternal and community life. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he served as chapter president for his undergraduate chapter and served on the fraternity’s Regional Political and Civic Engagement Committee. He is a Deacon at St. John Baptist Church and remains actively engaged in church ministries.

Committed to advancing educational opportunity, Hasani believes every student deserves excellent teachers and that great educators deserve the support to transform young lives. In continued service to this belief, he is the current President of the Newark Board of Education, where he works to expand educational freedom, equity, and excellence for all students.

  • Born and raised in South Ward
  • Chief of Staff, South Ward Councilman Patrick Council
  • President, Newark Board of Education
  • Certified Master Board Member
  • Master Board Member Certification
  • Certified Board Leader Certification
  • South Ward Democratic Committee member
  • Board of Directors Member, Council of the Great City Schools
  • Chair of Education and Community Outreach, Urban League of Essex County Young Professionals
  • Board Member, Jackie Robinson Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football
  • Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • Deacon, St. John Baptist Church
  • Attended George Washington Carver Elementary School and High School
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Montclair State University
  • Master’s Degree in Law and Governance, Montclair State University