Cordelia M. Staton
Commissioner
Cordelia “Dee Dee” Staton, a native Trentonian and product of the Trenton Public Schools, attended Mercer County Community College and Trenton State College where she became the first African-American Freshman Class President. Employed by the Trenton Board of Education as the Coordinator of City and Community Liaison Services from 1994-2010, Ms. Staton went on to serve as the Deputy Municipal Clerk for the City of Trenton from 2012-2018 and earned her Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) designation in 2015. Currently, Ms. Staton is employed by the County of Mercer Office of Economic Development and was formerly assigned to the One-Stop Career Center where she counseled unemployed and underemployed residents.
Over the past 40 years, Ms. Staton has volunteered her time to numerous community and civic organizations. Her enthusiasm for the City of Trenton is demonstrated in every activity in which she participates. As the past president of the Trenton Council of Civic Associations, which represents 30 civic associations throughout the City of Trenton, Ms. Staton currently serves as president of the Hillcrest Civic Association (HCA). During her tenure, HCA was awarded a mini-grant from Capital Health Systems to design and install community signs in the neighborhood, participated in community tree plantings in conjunction with the City of Trenton and Trees for Trenton, and hosted Candidates’ Night and a Children’s Halloween Party.
Appointed to the Trenton Zoning Board of Adjustment in 1997, Ms. Staton served with distinction as Chair of the Board in 2001. In addition, Ms. Staton is a trained Parent Facilitator for the Parents Supporting Parents Network and a graduate/Fellow of the Neighborhood Leadership Institute.
In 1998, Ms. Staton was elected President of the Board of Directors for the West Ward Community Partnership Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of the West Ward through community building, economic development, housing, and youth opportunities. Under her leadership, WWCPC hosted a Black History Month Luncheon, a Winter Wonderland Toy Give-Away; and a very successful, Citywide Teen Talk Back Summit. Housing projects include the Artisan Mills Complex (31 affordable apartment units and 20 semi-attached homes) and economic development projects, including the development of a Business/Retail complex on Pennington Avenue and co-hosting an Empowerment Summit with satellite broadcasts throughout the state of New Jersey.
In 1999, Ms. Staton founded and chaired the Yes We Can Residents Coalition. This city-wide organization organized and empowered residents through a special municipal election to reorganize and restructure the Public Safety Department in the City of Trenton. Also that year, she was named Outstanding African-American Woman by the Urban Schools Service Corps at Gregory Elementary School. As an advocate for children and families, Ms. Staton serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Home Society of New Jersey and is the Vice Present for Community Affairs. Additionally, Ms. Staton served as the president of the Never Give Up Organization, LLC, a non-profit service organization with a mission to increase public awareness about Sickle Cell Anemia and provide resources to affected families.
Ms. Staton loves the City of Trenton and has volunteered with city events such as the Children’s Christmas Party, Trenton Jazz Festival, and Trenton Heritage Days Festival. For over five years, Ms. Staton served as President of the Parent’s Auxiliary for the West End Little League and was honored with a Community Service Award. In addition, Ms. Staton is the recipient of the NAACP, Trenton Chapter Community Service Award, The National Sorority of Phi Beta Kappa – Pi Chapter- Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Award, and the New Millennium Drill Team “Helping Hand” Award. She has been an enthusiastic supporter to all four Little Leagues organizations in the City.
On July 1, 2002, Ms. Staton was sworn in as Councilwoman At -Large in the City of Trenton. She is the first woman of color to be elected to that position, and at that time, she was only the second woman to be elected to this citywide seat. In 2006, Ms. Staton was re-elected to a second term and served as Vice President of City Council.
In June 2004, The NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs honored Ms. Staton with the Nora O. Fant Humanitarian Award for her years of volunteerism and community service throughout the City of Trenton. In 2005, The Dominican Association of Mercer County recognized Ms. Staton with an award for outstanding service and leadership to the Latino community. In 2006, Ms. Staton was inducted into Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., a national women’s group. In the spring of 2008, Ms. Staton was inducted into The Links Incorporated, an international women’s service organization.
Ms. Staton is the proud mother of two adult children, Terrell and Candi Marie.
Favorite Quote: “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. … You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.