Ambassador Murphy has 40 yrs. plus experience in judging as a whole and Public Speaking Coach. To name a few involvements a)NJOF National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and the Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant FDJC Executive Director b) former. JCWICACAI Jersey City Carnival Queen Pageant, Local Director Miss CARICOM Scholarship Pageant, Miss Caribbean Atlantic City Carnival Queen Miss Caribbean New York Carnival Queen Miss Caribbean Carnival Queen USA, Little Tot of the Year, Miss. Jr. Teen NJ Black Society.

With dedication and commitment to community building, Cheryl went on to establish herself as one of the great thinkers and achievers in the community network of New Jersey. In 1980, Cheryl established her own consulting business DB Gems Consultant, LLC. Her stellar accomplishment, however, has been the establishment of Jersey City’s largest outdoor cultural parade festival – annually. Caribbean Carnival/Parade. Cheryl is the founder and CEO of the Jersey City West Indian/American Carnival Association, Inc. producers of the carnival/parade which was initiated in 1996 and takes place annually on the 4th Saturday of July including year-round educational programs. As a precursor to this event, Cheryl was a founding member of the East Orange Carnival Committee. She served as that organization’s Secretary and Public Relations agent before moving on to start the Carnival in Jersey City where she grew up (Chilltown).

In addition, Cheryl has been a City of Jersey City Oratory Judge, a member of numerous organizations, and a board member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) since its inception. Cheryl chaired the Alternate Routes Board (World Festival) for three years, founding board member of the Egbe IWA (Rites of Passage Program), Egbe Oba Tele, Caribbean American Minds, member of New Jersey Oratory – Judge, International Carnival Assoc., Jouvert City, Essex County Caribbean Festival, City of Newark Black Heritage Parade Committee, Communipaw Block Association, the Nubian Nuptials Wedding Associates, the Annual Kwanzaa Celebration Presentation Committee, One Love Mas Committee, 400 Years 1619-2019 Committee and volunteer for Jersey City Fashion Week, Essex County Freeholder African Caribbean Festival, member of NJOF National Juneteenth Directors & Planners Board, and Trustee of Founding Member of the Frederick Douglass Juneteenth Jersey City Chapter.

In addition to community building, Cheryl is also a known activist and philanthropist. Her philanthropic efforts have extended towards organizing relief efforts for hurricane-ravaged Caribbean islands, member of AmeriCorps national volunteer program and a graduate of the Build One America Academy Program “Obama Initiative”. As part of this commitment to giving back to the community, Cheryl established a scholarship program for college-bound students. In 2001, this fund was named by the organizers, Dollar for Scholars of NJ, as the Cheryl DB Murphy Scholarship Fund. Back to Judges