Frank E. Gilmore

FRANK GILMORE
Jersey City Councilman, Ward F
AA, Business, HCCC Class of 2014

Frank E. Gilmore is the Jersey City Council Member representing Ward F. While incarcerated in state prison, Gilmore decided to make changes in his life by pursuing education. After graduating from HCCC, he earned a bachelor's degree in communications and Entrepreneurship from Rutgers University. He was inaugurated as Ward F Councilman on January 1, 2022. Before being elected to the Jersey City Municipal Council, Frank became a very popular recreation coach and youth mentor. In 2011, he formed the F.E.D.D.I.E. Foundation (Fortitude for Every Disadvantage Demographic Investing in Excellence), a nonprofit aimed at improving children’s health, literacy, and education through mentoring. He also founded Educational Gilmore Speaks LLC, in 2013, which offers one-on-one mentoring via Y.E.L.P (Youth Enrichment Learning Program). He is well-known throughout Ward F for his volunteer work and successful opening of the Educational Gilmore Community Learning Center.  

"Your education, no matter what you've been through, is the one thing no one can take away from you."

How did you decide to attend HCCC?

HCCC prepared me for Rutgers and my work as a council person by offering a balanced pace of academics. I needed that opportunity to adjust to the collegiate environment. It allowed me to operate at my own pace. It gave me a sense of independence, along with a sense of urgency to get things done, so it balanced that sense of independence with being able to go at my own pace.

 

What made HCCC the right choice for you? How did it prepare you for Rutgers and your work as a Council Person?

The convenience of the location allowed me to stay local while meeting my educational goals. HCCC also allowed me to practice honing my ability to pay great attention to detail, which comes in handy as a Councilperson when reviewing the resolutions and ordinances that we vote on every other week

Is there anything else that you want to put on record, as an alumnus, or as a college educated council person?

I just want to say that I'm extremely proud of how diverse Hudson County Community College is. I love what they're doing with the new buildings and offering more opportunities for more individuals