Amb. Cheryl DB Murphy is a Proud Four Generation Immigrant from West Indies/Caribbean. In 1906, her family immigrated to Jersey City, New Jersey via Ellis Island. Cheryl attended PS #12, Martin Luther King, Jr. School (PS #11), Lincoln High School, Elizabethtown College, and Rutgers School of Social Work. Cheryl is recognized as one of the cultural icons of New Jersey and Metropolitan Area. With an established career as an organizer, consultant, event planner, cultural awareness promoter, public relations agent, public speaking coach, contest judge, workshop facilitator, scholarship pageant director and customer service administrator. Cheryl has had an outstanding track record of accomplishments dating back to High School when she was named among the Who’s Whom among High School Students, inducted to the National Honor Society and won the Miss New Jersey Black Society Beauty Pageant. She followed this by assuming the presidency of Phi Delta Kappa National Sorority for two years and advisor for the Xinos, Tau Gamma Delta, HS Chapter co-founder and Big Sister and AKA Sorority.
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 – the 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, Chery has been a City of Jersey City Oratory Judge, a member of numerous organizations, 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 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 from Build One America Academy Program “Obama Initiative”. As part of this commitment to giving back to 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.
As a parent organizer, Cheryl has always been an active PTA member and has been presented with the Outstanding Parent Award from Sanford Height pre-school, Mt. Vernon School and the Steven Institute Summer program for high school students and received the first ever Parent Spirit Award from New Jersey SEEDS. Cheryl served as class parent and Diversity liaison at Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, New Jersey and as Parent Outreach Liaison at BC (Boston College).
An avid mask player for most of her adult life, Cheryl has shared her knowledge of the masquerade traditions with various institution across the state including Randolph High School, New Jersey Young Scholars, Rutgers University (Newark & New Brunswick Campus), NJIT and Steven Institute of Technology.
Despite her full calendar, Cheryl remains as a much sought-after radio and television guest. She has made appearances on the WFMU radio with Jeff Sarge, Good Day New York, Fox 5, NBC TV, Newsmaker, News 12, Liberty Newsmaker “Women’s History Month Series, Tempo Network, WBLS, WWRL Caribbean radio, WLIB Co-Host Morning Drive Show to name a few.
Her dedication and commitment to community service has been acknowledged and rewarded with awards from the City of Jersey City Women of Action Award, City of Newark Caribbean Heritage Month Leadership Award, the NJPAC Chair Award, a proclamation from Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler, New Jersey Oratory Judge Award, Caribbean American Chambers of Commerce (CACCI) Woman History Maker Award, Everybody Magazine Trinidad & Tobago 50th Independence Award, New Jersey Caribbean Heritage Month Community Leader Award, Islanders Cultural Organization of NJ, the United Caribbean African Alliance, the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, the Willie Flood Phenomenal Woman Award, Chaconia Promotions, Black Interest Team Enterprise Community Service Award (B.I.T.E), Outstanding Arts & Culture Leadership Award from State of New York and City of Philadelphia, the Jersey City Living Lafayette Legend Award for Arts & Culture and appointed Cultural Ambassador.
Cheryl is an ordained priest, has been a member of Monumental Baptist Church since 1966. She served as Director of Vacation Bible School, youth advisor for Baptist Youth Fellowship and Church Administrator Special Events. She has certification in World Religions.
Cheryl is the proud mother of two sons Christopher III and Gordon Nesta, a grandmother to Javon Ali, Aaliyah Denise, Christopher IV, Alexander and a host of God Children