Rev. Dr. Frank Napier Jr 5K Run/Walk

The Rev. Dr. Frank Napier was born August 8, 1935 to Flora and Benjamin Napier. Dr. Napier’s education began in the Paterson Public School System, where he graduated from Public School #4 in 1949 and aterson Central High School in 1953. He earned his B.S. and M.A. Degrees from William Paterson Teachers College and his Doctorate of Education from the University of Massachusetts. He began his professional career in the Paterson School System as an elementary school teacher and coach. He was later appointed administrative assistant to the Principal, Vice Principal, and later Principal of PS #4.

In 1972, Dr. Napier was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools and in 1976 he became the rst African American to serve in the position of Superintendent of the Paterson Public Schools. Dr. Napier has served as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University, Director of the NJEA Ethnic Studies Program and the Paterson State SummerEOP Fund. He was also a counselor for the Passaic County Community College EOF Program. Dr. Napier was a consultant for the Paterson Board of Education Social Studies Workshop on Black History, the New Jersey Counsel for Social Studies Grant, and the Third Star Publishing Company in Ridgewood, NJ.

His writings appeared in numerous articles published in many professional journals and newspapers. He served as a sta writer for the Greater Paterson News, the New Jersey Connection Press, and as a sta consultant for the Partners for Progress Conference for the City of Paterson.

Dr. Napier was a member of numerous organizations, some of which were: the New Jersey Urban Superintendents Association, William Paterson Alumni Association, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, district chairperson of the Passaic County Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Paterson Public Library and the Greater Paterson OIC. Dr. Napier was a former member of Christ Temple Baptist Church and pastor of the Gazaway Baptist Church at the time of his death. He was the father of David and Darren Napier; and Dina Napier Carroll, grandfather of seven, great-grandfather of two.

All proceeds will go to the Rev. Dr. Frank Napier, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

Join fellow runners on August 8, 2026 for the Rev. Dr. Frank Napier Jr 5K Run/Walk. It's a fantastic 5K featuring a flat and fast course in Paterson.