>>> SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

AN ATTEMPTED COUP HAS HELD THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE PANEL INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION DESCRIBED THE COMMITTEE'S FINDINGS.

LAYING THE BLAME FOR THE ATTACK SQUARELY ON FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

ADDING THAT THE VIOLENCE WAS NO ACCIDENT.

THE VICE CHAIR, CONGRESSWOMAN LIZ CHENEY, OUTLINED THE PRESIDENT'S INVOLVEMENT.

>> SUMMONED A VIOLENT MOB AND DIRECTED THEM ILLEGALLY TO MARCH ON THE UNITED STATES CAPITAL.

WHILE THE VIOLENCE WAS UNDERWAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP FAILED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO STOP THE VIOLENCE AND INSTRUCT HIS SUPPORTERS TO LEAVE THE CAPITOL.

NOT ONLY DID PRESIDENT TRUMP REFUSE TO TELL THE MOB TO LEAVE THE CAPITOL, HE PLACED NO CALL TO ANY ELEMENT OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO INSTRUCT THAT THE CAPITOL BE DEFENDED.

>> DURING THE PRIME TIME HEARING LAST NIGHT AND A SELECT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE 2021 ATTACK DESCRIBED THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6th AS CARNAGE AT THE CAPITOL.

PRESENTING PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN TESTIMONY FROM FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL BARR, WHO TESTIFIED THAT HE WILL TOLD THE FORMER PRESIDENT CLAIMS OF A RIGGED ELECTION WERE BS.

ANOTHER CLIP SHOWED EVOCATIVE TRUMPS TESTIMONY THAT SHE RESPECTED THE VIEW THAT THERE WAS NO ELECTION FRAUD AND SHE ACCEPTED WHAT HE SAID.

ESSENTIALLY THAT THE TALK OF THE BIG LIE WAS ITS OWN LIFE.

THERE WAS A COORDINATED EFFORT TO OVERTURN THE RESULTS, CHENEY ALSO STATED "I SAY THIS TO MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WHO ARE DEFENDING THE INDEFENSIBLE.

THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN DONALD TRUMP IS GONE, BUT YOUR DISHONOR WILL REMAIN."

THERE WERE VIDEOS SHOWING LEADERS OF TWO EXTREMIST GROUPS OATH KEEPERS AND PROUD BOYS, PREPARING TO STORM THE CAPITOL AND VIOLENT FOOTAGE OF THE ATTACK SHOWING RIOTERS BEATING POLICE OFFICERS.

U.S. CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER CAROLINE EDWARDS, WHO SUFFERED BRAIN INJURIES DURING THE ATTACK, DESCRIBE WHAT SHE CALLED A WAR SCENE.

THAT INCLUDED THE BEATING A FELLOW OFFICER BRIAN.

>> ALL OF A SUDDEN, I SEE MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT OF ME.

AND I TURNED, AND IT WAS THE OFFICER WITH HIS HEAD IN HIS HANDS.

AND HE WAS GHOSTLY PALE.

WHICH I FIGURED AT THAT POINT HE HAD BEEN SPRAYED.

THE COP ALARM BELLS WENT OFF.

BECAUSE IF YOU GET SPRAYED WITH PEPPER SPRAY YOU ARE GOING TO TURN RED.

HE TURNED JUST ABOUT AS PALE AS THIS SHEET OF PAPER.

>> BRIAN SICKNICK DIED SHORTLY AFTER.

LAST NIGHT'S HEARING WAS THE FIRST OF SEVEN.

I AM JOINED NOW BY FORMER NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN FARMER, WHO ALSO SERVED AS A SENIOR COUNSEL TO THE 9/11 COMMISSION.

HE IS ALSO A FACULTY MEMBER AT THE NONPROFIT NETWORK CONTAGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE WHICH TRACKS DECEPTION, MANIPULATION AND HATE ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA SITES.

JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WHAT DID THE NETWORK RESEARCH CENTER SEE IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE ATTACK.

>> IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTER ATTACK, WE TOOK A LOOK BACK, BASICALLY SAW PRECURSORS OF THE ATTACK.

WARNING SIGNS, MESSAGING FROM THE PROUD BOYS AND OATH KEEPERS THAT SOMETHING BIG WAS PLANNED.

SO IT REALLY WASN'T, THE SCALE OF IT WAS A SURPRISE BUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS VIOLENCE AND AN ATTEMPT TO SUBVERT THE ELECTION WAS NOT A SURPRISE.

>> YOU HAVE WRITTEN THAT AS HORRIFIC AS THAT ATTACK WAS, YOU BELIEVE THE AFTERMATH WAS WORSE.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> BASICALLY, THERE IS AN OLD SAYING THAT --WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED IS THAT SO OUR LIVES.

WHAT IS HAPPENED IS, THERE WAS AN AGGRESSIVE ATTEMPT TO RECALIBRATE THE EVENTS SO THAT IT WAS JUST A MINOR SCUFFLE OR JUST REGULAR POLITICAL DISCOURSE OR TOURISTS VISITING THE CAPITOL.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT NARRATIVE HAS CAUGHT ON WITH ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT I THINK THIS COMMITTEE IS NECESSARY TO BASICALLY REESTABLISH WHAT HAPPENED.

>> HOW DO YOU COMBAT MISINFORMATION?

>> THAT IS THE CHALLENGE, THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT THIS INFORMATION SPREADS FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN THE TRUTH OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND THAT IS WHAT IS SEEN, A VERY FRUSTRATING ENVIRONMENT TO TRY TO GET ANY KIND OF FACTUAL REPRESENTATION ACROSS.

JUST A VERY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK THE COMMITTEE HAS A CHANCE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF HEARINGS, OVER THE COURSE OF EIGHT HEARINGS WITH WITNESS AFTER WITNESS AFTER WITNESS, THE DRUMBEAT OF FACT UPON FACT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK THROUGH AND GIVE THE PUBLIC THAT SORT OF EUREKA MOMENT.

>> HOW ABOUT PEOPLE FROM NEW JERSEY WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE ATTACKS?

HAVE THEY BEEN CHARGED WITH CRIMES?

>> SOME OF THE CASES ARE STILL PENDING.

THAT THE DEFENSE WAS HE DIDN'T KNOW THAT CONGRESS ACTUALLY MET IN THE CAPITOL.

HE SAID I KNOW THAT'S NOT RIDICULOUS, BUT I AM FROM NEW JERSEY.

INSULTING THE ENTIRE STATE IN THE COURSE OF HIS TESTIMONY.

FORTUNATELY, HE WAS FOUND GUILTY AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR.

SO THEY ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THERE ARE SEVERAL CHARGED WITH VARIOUS CRIMES BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

IT WILL TAKE SOME YEARS FOR THAT TO SETTLE OUT.

BUT IT IS GOOD TO SEE THEY ARE ACHIEVING RESULTS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING TIME WITH ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> FOR MORE ON THESE LANDMARK EARRINGS, CHECK OUT IAN'S REPORTING AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> CONGRESSMAN JOSH GOTTHEIMER WORKING TO PASS NEW LEGISLATION TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE IN THE WAKE OF MASS SHOOTINGS NATIONWIDE.

HOLDING AN EVENT THIS AFTERNOON WITH MOM'S DEMAND ACTION, AND THE BERGEN COUNTY CAMPAIGN TO OUTLINE WHAT HE IS CALLING A COMMONSENSE STRATEGY TO ADJUST GUN VIOLENCE.

HE IS PUSHING FOR BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION IN THE PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS.

BACK AND PASS BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WHERE OTHER GUN BILLS BANNING THE SALE ARE LIKELY TO FAIL.

>> HOW MANY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS WILL IT TAKE?

TIME IS UP, AND IT HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

I KNOW THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER.

ACROSS PARTY LINES, AS WE DID WITH THE BIPARTISAN BILLS.

TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

WE HAVE TO.

>> NEW JERSEY STANDS OUT AMONG OTHER STATES FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE DIFFERENCES IS --IN THE GARDEN STATE, WE GROUP THEM BY POLITICAL PARTY.

ONLY A SELECT FEW IN POWER GET TO THE SIDE, WHO SITS ATOP THAT COVETED LINE ON YOUR BALLOT?

BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO AN AGE-OLD POLITICAL PRACTICE.

AND WHETHER IT COULD SPELL THE END OF THE LINE.

>> THE LINE IS NOT ALL OR NOTHING, JUST ENOUGH ON THE SCALE THAT IT TIPS IT.

>> STRUCTURING BALLOTS THAT VISUALLY SKEW THEIR CHOICES.

CASE IN POINT, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES LINED UP ON THE LEFT, LISTED BY OFFICE FROM U.S. SENATE TO CITY COUNCIL.

ON THE FAR RIGHT, EVERYONE ELSE.

BANISHED TO SO-CALLED VALID SIBERIA.

>> IT IS CAUSING REAL PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE IN OFFICE WHOSE EXPIRATION DATE IS LONG PAST.

>> THEY ARGUE THAT PARTY LINES FLAVOR INCUMBENTS.

GETTING THAT SPOT CAN SOMETIMES REQUIRE CANDIDATES TO REACH INTO THEIR POCKETS.

TWO PRIMARY CANDIDATES WERE BIDDING FOR THE LINE.

LIKE HEY, YOU KNOW THE LINE IN THIS COUNTY COST THIS MUCH, YOU BETTER PAY UP.

>> IT IS THE PARTY BOSSES IN MOST CASES IN NEW JERSEY, THOSE ARE WHITE MEN IN MOST CASES, DECIDING WHO IS GOING TO GET THE LINE, WHO THEN INEVITABLY IS GOING TO WIN.

>> I THINK IT'S ANTIDEMOCRATIC AND MOST STATES DON'T DO IT.

WE ARE REALLY UNIQUE.

THE FACT THAT WE ARE REALLY UNIQUE I DON'T THINK IS BETTER.

>> VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE JOINED THE NEW JERSEY WORKING FAMILY ALLIANCE IN A LAWSUIT SEEKING TO ABOLISH THE PARTY LINE.

THEY FAVOR BALLOTS THAT GROUP CANDIDATES BY OFFICE, THAT IS HOW SUSSEX COUNTY DOES IT.

REPUBLICAN FOR CONGRESS TOM KEAN JUNIOR LOST SUSSEX BUT TOP- OF-THE-LINE IN EVERY OTHER COUNTY WITH COMPETITORS RELEGATED TO VALID SIBERIA.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TONS OF EXAMPLES OF CANDIDATES WHO RUN OFF THE LINE AND WIN.

>> LINE HELPS POLITICAL PARTIES ORGANIZE A SLATE THAT CAN WIN COME NOVEMBER BUT DOESN'T ALWAYS GUARANTEE SUCCESS.

KEAN WON PARTLY BECAUSE HIS OPPONENTS VOTE SIX WAYS.

VETERAN POLITIC --POLITICIANS HAVE RUN OFF THE LINE AND WON.

>> IT DOES HAPPEN, JUST FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.

YOU HAVE TO OUT ORGANIZE, OUT RACE, OUTHUSTLED THE PARTY AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IF YOU CAN DO THAT, YOU HAVE TWO WIN.

>> LINE BALLOTS CAN ALSO GET MESSY.

IN THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THE BERGEN COUNTY REPUBLICAN THE LINE BUT HIS OPPONENT GOT LUCKY, DRAWING PREMIUM COLUMN A INDWELLING PLACEMENT.

HE WON BOTH PASSAIC AND THE RACE.

>> TWO CANDIDATES WENT AFTER ONE ANOTHER AND IT WAS A SPIRITED CAMPAIGN.

I THINK ULTIMATELY, WE ARE STILL REELING FROM THAT.

I ENDORSE FRANK NOW.

>> HE FEELS HE RAN A GOOD RACE AND PARTLY BLAMES HIS LOSS ON DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION.

>> I THINK THAT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE FACT IT IS HARD IN A PLACE LIKE BERGEN COUNTY, WHERE IT IS DEMOCRAT DOMINATED TO FIND THE SUPPORT AND APPARATUS THAT IS NEEDED TO DEFEND THAT LINE.

>> HE FEELS MINORITY PARTIES PARTICULARLY NEED TO ORGANIZE THEIR PRIMARY SLATES AND THE LINE HELPS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE AMONG THOSE ATTENDING A PISCATAWAY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT ASKING THE BOARD TO REINSTATE A POPULAR SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

WHO BELIEVED SHE WAS LET GO BECAUSE OF THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM SHE WAS TEACHING.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS ON ME PLEASE FROM STUDENTS AND THE SCHOOL BOARD RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS BEGGING THE PISCATAWAY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REINSTATE THEIR BELOVED MIDDLE SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WHO WAS FIRED.

>> PEOPLE LOVE TO SAY THAT WE ARE THE FUTURE, AND WE ARE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD THIS WORLD.

I FIRING DR. MOSDELL, YOU ARE SHOWING THAT WHAT WE WANT TO LEARN ABOUT DOESN'T MATTER.

>> WHEN YOU TALK TO HER, YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SET FREE.

>> ALL OF US LOVE DR. MOSDELL.

SHE IS ONE OF THE ONLY TEACHERS STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING TO.

IF YOU GUYS THERE --CARE ABOUT THE STUDENTS LIKE YOU CLAIM SO MUCH, YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND WHY HER CONTRACT NEEDS TO BE RENEWED.

>> Reporter: MANY STUDENTS SHARED HOW IMPACTFUL THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THEM HAD BEEN.

>> SHE WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO I FELT COMFORTABLE TO TALK TO.

AND NO ONE WILL FEEL THE SAME OR GET THE SAME HELP THAT I RECEIVED.

IT IS HEARTBREAKING AND SHATTERING.

>> WHEN HER CONTRACT WASN'T RENEWED, I WAS SHOCKED.

WHEN I SAW HER AT SCHOOL, SHE WAS ALWAYS TALKING AND LAUGHING WITH HER STUDENTS.

DR. MOSDELL IS WHAT A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT A COUNSELOR SHOULD BE.

>> THE COMMUNITY DEMANDED TO KNOW WHY THIS TEACHER, WHO HAD EXCELLENT EVALUATIONS AND WAS SUDDENLY DENIED TENURE AFTER SHE ORGANIZED A DAY OF SILENCE AND PREPARED LGBTQ LESSONS FOR THE SCHOOL.

THE BOARD COULDN'T DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT OFFERED THIS.

>> WHEN I CONSIDER WHETHER TO RECOMMEND SOMEONE FOR A CONTRACT RENEWAL, NOT JUST THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK AT THE OVERALL CONDUCT AS AN EMPLOYEE.

INCLUDING THEIR ABILITY TO FOLLOW RULES, OPERATE WITHIN ESTABLISHED CHAIN OF COMMAND, TO BE A POSITIVE, COLLABORATIVE MEMBER OF OUR TEAM.

I HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT.

AND THE COMMUNITY -- >>> A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A FACULTY UNION READ SOME OF HER EVALUATIONS ALLOWED, WHICH SOUNDED VERY DIFFERENT FROM HIS CHARACTERIZATION.

SHE STARTED ONE FROM 2019.

>> IT ENDS WITH SHE HAS BECOME AN ASSET TO OUR SCHOOL.

2020 EVALUATION, AND WITH DR. MOSDELL EXHIBITS ACTIVELY LISTENING, SHOWS CONCERN TO STUDENTS EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, AND HAS DETERMINED TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL PLAN FOR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE 2021 EVALUATION WAS SO GOOD, SHE COULDN'T POSSIBLY READ IT ALL.

>> SHE HAS ESTABLISHED A NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHEN COUNSELING HER STUDENTS, DR. MOSDELL COMMUNICATES WITH FAMILIES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS AND INCLUDES OTHER COLLEAGUES WERE NECESSARY.

AND IT ENDS WITH RECOMMENDATION OF TENURE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!

>> Reporter: MOSDELL SAYS THEY ARE HIDING BEHIND A SHIELD, NOT DISCLOSING THE REAL REASON FOR HER FIRING.

>> THE MAIN FOCUS OF MY FIRING WAS THE FACT THAT I IMPLEMENTED THESE LESSONS, APPARENTLY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE CORRECT PROTOCOL AND THEN WHEN THEY WERE CANCELED, ADVOCATED FOR MY STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: DR. MOSDELL HAS REQUESTED HER PERSONNEL FILE AT THE DISTRICT STILL WILL NOT GIVE IT TO HER.

THEY ALSO HAVE NOT CONFIRMED THE DATE OF HER HEARING.

SHE CAN CHALLENGE HER FIRING.

IN PISCATAWAY, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN IT TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, INFLATION IS GETTING EVEN WORSE WITH SURGING PRICES FOR FOOD, GASOLINE AND SHELTER.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY CLIMBED TO 8.6%.

THAT IS THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE DECEMBER 20 --1981.

COST FOR BASIC NECESSITIES ARE SKYROCKETING, FOOD PRICES UP MORE THAN 10% OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

THE COST FOR SHELTER RISING AT THE FASTEST PACE IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

WELL WORKER WAGES HAVE ALSO BEEN RISING, THEY ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THAT INFLATION NEWS PLAYED OUT ON WALL STREET TODAY.

SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TUCKMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT.

OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELORS OF SCIENCE DISEASE -- DEGREE.

BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>> JOIN ME THIS WEEKEND AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT NEW JERSEY'S HOUSING MARKET, WITH LOW INVENTORY AND RISING MARKET RATES.

PLUS, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES FIND AND KEEP QUALITY HOUSING.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO MARVEL SUPERHEROES, HOW CAN YOU NOT BE A FAN OF THE LARGER-THAN-LIFE GIRLS STANDING GUARD OVER JERSEY CITY?

MISS MARVEL MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST MUSLIM CHARACTER TO GET HER OWN MARVEL COMIC BOOK.

AND NOW, SHE IS THE STAR OF A NEW SHOW ON DISNEY PLUS THAT PREMIERED THIS WEEK.

SHE ALSO HAS A BIG FAN CLUB AT JERSEY CITY'S McNAIR HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH IS THE MODEL FOR HER SCHOOL IN THE COMICS.

AND WERE A GROUP OF GIRLS HAVE FOUND A HERO THEY CAN RELATE TO.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS OUR STORY.

>> Reporter: AS EACH PAGE OF THIS COMIC BOOK TURNS, IT ISN'T TOO HARD FOR HER TO SEE HER OWN REFLECTION.

>> I FIRST READ THE COMICS WHEN I WAS IN SEVENTH GRADE, IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

IMMEDIATELY, I WAS VERY ENRAPTURED BECAUSE SHE WAS A GIRL GROWING UP IN JERSEY CITY, REMINDED ME VERY MUCH OF MYSELF.

BECAUSE I AM ALSO PAKISTANI.

>> Reporter: THAT GIRL IS MALIK ON, BETTER KNOWN AS MISS MARVEL.

SHE MADE HISTORY IN 2014 AS THE FIRST MUSLIM CHARACTER TO GET HER OWN MARVEL COMIC BOOK AND NOW A SUPERHERO WHO GOES TO A SCHOOL INSPIRED BY McNAIR ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL.

COMING TO LIFE IN A NEW CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TV SHOW AIRING ON DISNEY PLUS.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS PRETTY COOL, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SMALL PRODUCTION.

>> Reporter: WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE IT WAS TO SEE JUST HOW BIG OF A DEAL MISS MARVEL REALLY IS.

SHE AND SOME OTHER STUDENTS WEARING THEIR MISS MARVEL CUSTOMS GOT A CHANCE TO SEE A SPECIAL SCREENING OF THE SHOW IN NEW YORK.

EVEN SHARING THE RED CARPET WITH THE ACTRESS WHO PLAYS HER.

TWO PEOPLE WERE WAVING AT US, EVERYONE WAS EXCITED TO SEE US.

ARE YOU GUYS WITH THE FAN CLUB OR PART OF THE EVENT?

NO, WE ARE FROM THE ACTUAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS FORMED A CLUB AT THE SCHOOL IN ANTICIPATION.

IT IS CALLED --A NOD TO McNAIR WHICH IS ON COLE STREET.

ENGLISH TEACHER HOLLY SMITH IS THE ADVISOR.

>> WE HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED MISS MARVEL SINCE 2014 WHEN THE CHARACTER WAS ANNOUNCED.

WE HAVE DONE DIFFERENT EVENTS, SENDING COSTUMES, BUT WHEN THE SHOW CAME OUT, I KNEW IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT THING AND PEOPLE WOULD TAKE INTEREST.

>> Reporter: WELL IT IS COOL TO SEE THEIR HOMETOWN ON DISPLAY, WHAT IS EVEN BETTER IS HIGHLIGHTING PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES AND RELIGIOUS FAITH IN A POSITIVE LIGHT.

>> I AM A FIRST GENERATION PAKISTANI MUSLIM AMERICAN, I WAS AN IMMIGRANT, I CAME HERE WAS DISCO WHEN I WAS TWO AND I LEARNED THE LANGUAGE.

SEEING HER CHARACTER AS A BROWN GIRL SUPERHERO IS A VERY BIG DEAL TO ME, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I GREW UP ON DORA AND BARBIE.

DORA WAS MY FIRST PERSON OF COLOR MEDIA, BUT IT WAS MOSTLY LIKE BARBIE AND IT WAS A LOT OF WHITE MEDIA I SAW ON THE DISNEY CHANNEL.

SO SEEING A BROWN SUPERHERO AND HER FAMILY ON SCREEN WITH HER FRIENDS WHO ARE ALSO PEOPLE OF COLOR IS VERY MONUMENTAL.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO HAVE THESE AMAZING STUDENTS AND BE ABLE TO SEE THEM SEE THEMSELVES IN MISS MARVEL?

>> YOU CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE IT.

IT IS KIND OF STEPPING INTO THIS WORLD WHERE THE STUDENTS REALLY CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN A WAY THAT IS INFINITE AND LIMITLESS AND GIVING THEM SO MUCH CONFIDENCE.

>> Reporter: FOR THESE FANS WHO SHARE SO MUCH IN COMMON WITH MISS MARVEL, IT IS JUST ANOTHER STRONG REMINDER OF HOW MUCH REPRESENTATION REALLY DOES MATTER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, THE NEXT EPISODE IN OUR 21 DIGITAL FILM SERIES IS NOW ONLINE.

THIS SERIES EXAMINES THE SIMPLE QUESTION OF, DOES WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE STATE AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE?

21 PROFILES ONE PERSON OF EACH OF OUR 21 COUNTIES AND LOOKS AT THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS THAT AFFECT THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

THE LATEST FILM PROFILES A PASSIONATE EDUCATOR DEVELOPING TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO REDEFINE THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH THE ARTS AND SCIENCES.

ALL WHILE EMPOWERING OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND BRIANA VANNOZZI WENT ONE-ON- ONE.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK.

>> FALLON DAVIS, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

LET ME ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BE A CHANGE MAKER.

>> MY MOTIVATIONS REALLY ARE MY TRIBE, MY COMMUNITY, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT I'M DOING WITHOUT THE EDUCATORS THAT PUT IN THEIR TIME AND INVESTMENT, WITHOUT MY PARTNERS FOR BELIEVING IN ME, MY BOARD, MY TEAM, MY FAMILY.

WHEN YOU HAVE THAT BIG OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM, YOU HAVE PEOPLE REALLY COUNTING ON YOU.

IT REALLY MAKES IT BETTER TO WAKE UP EVERYDAY.

BECAUSE THE WORK IS HEAVY.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LET LOVE AND ENJOY LIFE.

>> WHAT MAKES THE WORK HEAVY?

TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE COME UP AGAINST IN GETTING OUT OF THE GROUND.

>> JUST EVEN THE BLACK AND WHITE LEGALITY, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THAT PROCESS WAS CHALLENGING.

BECAUSE I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A LOT OF INTERNAL HELP, I HAD TO DO A LOT OF OUTSOURCING AND I WANTED TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN OUR ORGANIZATION CAME TO FRUITION, THAT WE HAD NOTHING THAT ANYONE COULD STOP US WITH.

AND EXPRESSIVE ARTS AND DISCIPLINE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

AND OUR FOCUS IS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.

AND SO WHAT THAT REALLY LOOKS LIKE IS WE DESIGNED THESE INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT ALLOW EVERYONE TO COME ALIVE, TO CONNECT BACK TO NATURE, TO LEARN ABOUT PLANT- BASED LIVING, TO GET CONNECTED BACK TO OUR INDIGENOUS ROOTS WITH GARDENING AND FARMING.

AND REALLY JUST FINDING INNOVATIVE THINGS TO COMBAT THE DISPARITIES WE ARE FACING.

I ALSO GET PEOPLE TO REALLY ENJOY BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE LOOK TO ANSWER IS, DOES WHERE YOU LIVE AFFECT YOUR OUTCOME IN LIFE?

HAS IT AND DOES IT?

>> IN AREAS WITHOUT RESOURCES, WITHOUT ACCESS, YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS REALLY HINDERED.

AND ESPECIALLY IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AS I WATCHED MY FAMILY MEMBERS AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET ALONG THE WAY, REALLY GET DETERRED AND MOVED OFF-TRACK BY THE TRAUMA AND CONSTANT SYSTEMIC OPPRESSIONS THAT WE ARE FACE ON A DAILY BASIS, TRYING TO SURVIVE IS LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

AND YOU CAN'T BE FREE IF YOU ARE ALWAYS IN SURVIVAL MODE.

SO WHEN YOU GET OUT OF THAT HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AND YOU REALLY START TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE LIFE CAN BE THRIVING, WHERE YOU HAVE HEALTHY FOOD, CLEAN WATER, CLOTHING, HEALTHCARE, YOU ARE JUST A BETTER HUMAN IN GENERAL BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF VERY WELL.

>> FALLON DAVIS, REALLY GOOD TO TALK WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME A PLATFORM TO SHARE MY STORY.

>> YOU CAN MEET FALLON AND THE OTHER EXTRAORDINARY RESIDENTS AND OUR WEBSITE.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.