NABJ Mourns the Loss of Member Monique Oliver

NABJ Mourns the Loss of Member Monique Oliver

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2017) -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) mourns the sudden passing of Monique Oliver, a longtime NABJ member and former Philadelphia chapter president.

Oliver, 45, passed away March 30 in Newark, N.J, due to complications from lupus. “I was stunned to hear of Monique’s untimely death. She was a steadfast journalist, loyal friend, dedicated NABJ member and fierce leader,” said NABJ President Sarah Glover.

Oliver joined NABJ in 2000, shortly after beginning her broadcast career, which included stints as a news writer and producer in New York, Philadelphia, Durham, N.C., Hampton, Va. and most recently Atlanta. She remained an active member, participating in chapter activities and attending the annual convention regularly.

She served as President of the Philadelphia Chapter from 2007 to 2008, and previously served as Vice President. She frequently spoke out about diversity in the newsroom in Philadelphia. Under her leadership, the chapter was selected NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year in 2008.

 “Monique did not hesitate to tell you where she stood and she spoke up for diversity. I’m proud to have followed in her footsteps as president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists,” Glover said.

NABJ extends heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends and journalism colleagues. Monique’s obituary reads as follows: Monique Oliver, 45, television journalist, passed away on March 30, 2017 at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center due to complications from lupus.

The wake and viewing will be held on Friday, April 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. and the funeral will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 9 a.m., both at First Presbyterian Church (Old First Church), 820 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. Interment is at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside with arrangements by Whigham Funeral Home.

Born and raised in New Jersey, she spent her childhood in Newark and then Montclair. A 1990 graduate of Montclair High School, she graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota in 1994. Most recently a resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Monique lived all over the country working as a news writer and producer: ABC News in New York where she started her career on shows such as 20/20 and World News Now, WVEC in Virginia Beach, WTVD in Durham, WPVI in Philadelphia, and Turner Broadcasting and WGCL in Atlanta. She was chair of the Carleton College Alumni Association in both Atlanta and Philadelphia, President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, and National President of the Terry Family Reunion.

She loved her family and lived an adventurous and committed life, running a marathon, being active in her church, New Life Presbyterian of Atlanta, and mentoring young people. In November, she moved back to New Jersey to be closer to her family. Monique will always be lovingly remembered by her dedicated parents, Harvey and Jeanette Oliver of Montclair; sister, Doreen, and brother-in-law, Ayoola; two nephews; aunts, Fannie Mae Jenkins, Dorothy Gray, Lucy Edwards, Doretha Brownlee, Ruth Chin-Hicks, Joyce Green and Willa Green; and a host of cousins and friends all around the country.

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