Donald Milford Payne Sr.

Donald Milford Payne Sr., elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988, became the first African American member of Congress from New Jersey, representing Newark and other portions of Essex County as well as Union and Hudson. A lifelong community activist, educator, and public servant, Payne centered his career on expanding educational opportunity, strengthening urban communities, and advancing human rights. “I want to be a congressman to serve as a model for the young people I talk to on the Newark street corners.”

Born July 16, 1934, in Newark, Payne grew up in the working-class neighborhood of Doodletown with his siblings William and Kathryn. He credited the area’s tight-knit community with shaping his values. As a teenager, he joined The Leaguers, a youth support organization led by Reynold and Mary Burch, who helped him earn a scholarship to Seton Hall University. Payne graduated in 1957, later pursued graduate studies, and married Hazel Johnson in 1958. Hazel passed away in 1963. Payne had three children, Donald Jr., Wanda, and Nicole. He worked as a teacher, coach, and later as an executive in his brother’s manufacturing company.

Payne entered politics early, managing his brother’s campaign for district leader at age 19. He rose through civic leadership, becoming the first African American president of the YMCA of the United States (1970–1973). He served on the Essex County Board of Freeholders for six years and on Newark’s municipal council beginning in 1982. After two unsuccessful primary challenges to longtime Representative Peter Rodino, Payne won the open seat in 1988 and went on to serve 12 terms.

In Congress, Payne served on the Committees on Government Operations, Education and Labor, and Foreign Affairs. He championed literacy, college access, and urban school improvement, sponsoring measures such as the College Opportunity Act of 1991 and the Urban Schools America Act of 1993. He secured millions for Newark parks and community redevelopment. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus during the 104th Congress, Payne guided the caucus through funding cuts and led efforts to oppose legislation harmful to African American communities.

Payne became one of Congress’s most influential voices on African affairs. Known as the “unofficial ambassador to Africa,” he traveled extensively, advocated for human rights, and pushed for stronger U.S. engagement. He condemned violence in Sierra Leone, protested slavery in Sudan, and authored the 2004 resolution declaring genocide in Darfur. He also pressed for democracy in Nigeria, peace in Northern Ireland, and humane treatment of Haitian refugees.

He worked with President George W. Bush on HIV/AIDS relief in Africa, praising the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Payne also sponsored legislation commemorating African American history, including the Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act and a resolution honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2012, Payne continued working until his death on March 6, 2012.