Second Ward

Marty Small

Marty Small was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on March 25, 1974 to the late Ms. Annette Ann Small. Marty is a lifelong resident of Atlantic City, where he was educated in the Atlantic City Public School System; a pre school graduate of Holy Spirit Head Start, an elementary school graduate of New Jersey Avenue School, a middle school graduate of Central Junior High School, and a High School Graduate of Atlantic City High School (1993).

During his youth Marty was active in various activities. He was a member of Hamilton Memorial United Methodist Church, Atlantic City PAL, and The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. Marty was a talented young child who sang in the church choir and played the Trumpet and the Drums. However, Marty's true love was and is for sports. He is an avid Philadelphia Eagles, Sixers, Flyers, and Phillies Fan, where he is a season ticket holder for the Eagles and Sixers. Marty's first sports love was baseball where he led the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to three Little League World Series appearances in four years, winning two. 

Marty was a three sport athlete his freshman year at Atlantic City High School, playing football, basketball, and baseball. He decided to pursue Basketball a sport where he excelled. He was on the best Atlantic City High School Viking team in school history with a 29-1 record his junior year, followed by a 27-1 record his senior campaign. He became bored after Basketball season and decided to play baseball again, leading Atlantic City High School to the Atlantic County Championship. He pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts in a 4-2 win over Hammonton, who was ranked #5 in South Jersey. However, Marty was heavily recruited by the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey as a Basketball Player.

In the summer of 1993 Marty enrolled in the EOF Program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. During Marty's career at Stockton off the basketball court, he was a Communications Major, who produced the official Stockton Video, which was shown to High School students interested in the college. Marty was a member of UBSS, (Unified Black Students Society) and a captain of the Men's Basketball Team.

On the Basketball Court Marty excelled. During his four year career, his teams had a combined record of 87-28, winning consecutive N.J.A.C. titles in '95-'96, (New Jersey Athletic Conference) and Participated in the NCAA Division III Tournament in three years going to one “Elite Eight” and two “Sweet 16” and one E.C.A.C. Final (Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference). As an individual Marty, had an outstanding career as a two-time all N.J.A.C., two-time all E.C.A.C., and two-time all Atlantic Region, and a Street & Smith Honorable Mention All American. Marty finished his career with 1,238 points and is the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey's All Time Leading Rebounder. Marty bled Stockton, as he was always willing to show recruits around the campus. He even raised over $5,000.00 for their Trip for a Basketball Christmas Tournament his senior year in Los Angeles, California.

Marty Graduated from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in May 1998, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. Six Days Later Marty was signed to a professional basketball contract with the Atlantic City Seagulls, of the United States Basketball League. The Seagulls went on to win the United States Basketball League Championship that season, and Marty received a Championship ring that he proudly wears today. Realizing that Basketball was not going to be his way to success, Marty pursued a career to put his college degree to use.

In September of 1998 Marty was hired as a Social Caseworker for the City of Atlantic City in the Welfare Department. Marty wanted to get active and get involved in the Community and the easiest way was giving back through basketball, which Marty says that “Basketball was his vehicle to success”. In December 1998 he started the Elwood Roberts Midnight Basketball League of Atlantic City, in honor of the late great Elwood Roberts. The League targets at risk adults and provides a competitive structured recreational environment in the late night hours. The League will enter its 7th season this March. In March 1999 he received a promotion as the Safe Haven Program Coordinator, as he facilitated Youth and Senior Citizens programs. This program was a state pilot project in conjunction with the New Jersey State Department of Law and Public Safety, The Atlantic City Police Department, and The Health and Human Services Department of the City of Atlantic City.

In January 2000 Marty accepted a position with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City as Youth Program Manager. Marty viewed this as a homecoming of sort, because he spent his whole childhood as a member of the Boys & Girls Club from age 6-19. Marty had received two promotions while on Staff at the Boys & Girls Club, as Director of Health, Life Skills, and Recreation and Unit Director, before resigning in June 2004. In April 2001 Marty was appointed to The Atlantic City Free Public Library Board of Trustees by former Mayor James Whelan. In April 2002 Marty was a candidate in the Atlantic City Board of Education Election. Marty ran under the Slogan, “Think Big and Vote Marty Small” and the voters thought Big as Marty was the leading vote getter of the seven candidates. At the Reorganization Meeting the Board unanimously voted Marty as Vice President, a post he held for his entire term.

Always looking for new Challenges, In June 2003, Marty was a Candidate for 2nd Ward City Councilman for the City of Atlantic City, in the June 2003 Democratic Primary. Running under the slogan “Big Plans Come with a Small Vote” the voters believed those big plans, as Marty Defeated Incumbent 2nd Ward City Councilman Robert Johnson. In November 2003 Marty Defeated Green party member Marlene Denbin in the General Election to become 2nd Ward Councilman Elect. On January 1, 2004 at age 29 Marty was sworn in as Youngest Councilman in the history of the City of Atlantic City.

In addition to being a City Councilman, In September 2004 Marty was hired by the Atlantic City Board of Education as the Coordinator of Elementary Extra Curricular Activities.

Marty has received various Community Service awards for his work in the community. In 2001 he received the AtlantiCare Outstanding Leadership Award for the Greater Atlantic City Area. In 2002 he received The African American Male Conference Community Service Award. In 2003 he received the IRC Council of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey's Vera King Farris Award for Outstanding work in the community. In April of 2004 he received the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. Appreciation Award for his commitment to the community and Growth and Development of Youth. In November of 2004 he will receive the Council of Black Faculty and Staff of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Distinguished Alumni Award.

Marty currently has no children, but he is a proud uncle of two, his niece Christiyani and his nephew Jaylen. Marty has a younger sister, Shawntel Small, who works for the Atlantic City Medical Center. He shares a special relationship with his Aunt Gloria Small, who helped raise him. He credits his success to his late mother Annette Small and his late Great Aunt Lucille Curley. He shares a growing relationship with his uncles who are very supportive. He credits the Basketball Staff, the EOF Staff, Former President Vera King Farris, and Girlfriend La'Quetta Frazier for supporting him through tough times at Stockton and beyond.

Marty's future goal is to be the Mayor of the City of Atlantic City.