Monica Weeks has had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, marked by unparalleled success in the publishing, entertainment, and media industries. Presently, she is committed to bringing free arts programming to the City of New Brunswick and has held pivotal roles at two esteemed New Brunswick-based organizations, standing as a beacon of support for the arts.
At Crossroads Theatre Company, Monica served as Director of Operations and Marketing, showcasing her adeptness in orchestrating seamless operations and fostering strategic marketing initiatives. Simultaneously, she assumed the mantle of Executive Director at Hub City Jazz, where her visionary leadership propeled the organization to new heights. Under her guidance, the Hub City Jazz Festival, now in its twentieth year, has solidified its status as one of the world’s premier jazz festivals.
Monica’s professional journey is marked by significant milestones, including her groundbreaking tenure at The New York Times. Notably, she shattered barriers as the first African American to ascend to the position of Advertising Director of National Retail Stores and Advertising Director of American Fashion, overseeing substantial budgets. Her tenure at Essence Magazine further underscored her prowess in strategic business development, sales, and marketing, collaborating with industry giants such as Coca-Cola, Mercedes-Benz, and Kraft Foods. Monica’s strategic acumen and innovative approach resulted in multimillion-dollar revenue generation and enduring corporate sponsorships for the Essence Music Festival.
Her intrinsic strengths lie in her boundless creativity, unwavering drive, and inspirational leadership. Monica thrives on challenges, particularly those that propel organizational growth and elevate individual brands. Notably, her brainchild “Protégé to Pro” fosters symbiotic partnerships between corporate entities, community stakeholders, and the New Brunswick school system, enriching student musicians with invaluable professional training beyond traditional classroom settings. This initiative has catalyzed Hub City Jazz’s transformation into a nonprofit organization, underscoring Monica’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering cultural enrichment. Monica is also very proud to be a part of the team that produced the first-ever Middlesex County Gospel Festival earlier this year, bringing a world-class and free concert to New Brunswick.
Monica’s impact extends beyond arts and culture, evidenced by her role as a sought-after consultant. Her strategic stewardship of the 2017 Somerset County Democratic Party ticket yielded historic victories, including the election of the first Democrat as Somerset County Clerk and the ascent two years later of the first African American Commissioner in Somerset County’s history. In 2021, she was appointed to the Somerset Film Commission, further solidifying her influence in the arts and media landscape.
Monica is also deeply engaged in philanthropy and community service, actively involved in charitable organizations such as the Malcolm Bernard HBCU College Fair of New Jersey and groups such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Nu Xi Omega Chapter, and the Central New Jersey (CNJ) Chapter, The Links Incorporated, which underscore her unwavering dedication to effecting positive change.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Monica has garnered numerous accolades, including leadership and community service awards from The Zakee Bowser Foundation, Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc., and the Greater New Brunswick Chapter of the NAACP. In 2021, she was honored in the New Brunswick Library’s virtual exhibit, “The Women Who Shaped New Brunswick, 1920-2020,” commemorating her pivotal role in enriching the city’s cultural tapestry.
Monica’s pursuit of excellence extends to her academic endeavors, culminating in both an Undergraduate (1980) and Master’s Degree (2022) from Rutgers University School of Communications and Information. She finds solace in recreational pursuits, showcasing her prowess as an avid tennis player and burgeoning golfer. Notably, her passion for golf led to the co-founding of Swing Out Sistas, a women’s golfing group, exemplifying her penchant for fostering community and camaraderie. Above all, Monica cherishes her role as a devoted Mother to her son, Tyler, embodying the values of faith, integrity, resilience, and compassion in both her personal and professional life.