Justen A. Wright

Justen A. Wright
Council Member At-Large

E-mail: justen@justenwright.org

View photos from Council Member Wright's MLK Essay Contest Ceremony

Justen A. Wright, was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. He matriculated through the Delaware School System, with the great achievement of graduating from Alexis I. DuPont High School at the tender age of 16. Justen exuded a passion for the funeral industry, he persevered through a daily commute to New York City, from Wilmington for two years, in order to obtain his Associates Degree from the American Academy of McAllister Institute of Funeral Service. Justen continued his education at Wilmington University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

In September of 2002, Justen was featured in the Crossroads edition of The News Journal, in an article titled, "Imparting Peace of Mind is Youths' Aim.” In 2003, after completing a one year apprenticeship under his father, Robert O. Wright I, C.F.S.P. owner and operator of The House of Wright Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc.; He was granted his license and became the youngest licensed funeral director in the State of Delaware at the age of 20. In June of that same year, he served as the keynote speaker for Delaware State University's Young Entrepreneur Conference. His commitment to this program was unfathomable to the point, that he reinvested his honorarium received from Delaware State University, back into Entrepreneurial programs to uplift the 19801 and 19802 zip codes in Wilmington. In addition to the Entrepreneurial programs, He has intimately involved himself in S.A.F.E. (Student and Family Enrichment Program), which is a project that focuses on introducing crime prevention workshops and activities for intercity families. Justen earned his certification as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) to augment his professional career.

In 2008, at the age of 24, Justen was elected as the youngest City Councilman in the history of Wilmington City Council. He is currently serving on the 105th Council, as an “At Large" Councilmember, which serves the entire city of Wilmington. In addition to his current elected position, Councilman Wright is: The Vice President of The House of Wright Mortuary & Cremation Services, Inc.; a pre-need insurance agent; a notary public; an active member of Ezion Fair Baptist Church under the pastorate of Pastor C. T. Curry, Ph.D., D.Min.; A student at Wilmington University pursuing an MSM in Public Administration; President of Delaware State Funeral Directors Association; immediate past Chairperson of the membership committee for the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association; a member of the NAACP; and former Board Member for Connections C.S.P., Otis A. Herring Community Center and the Amputee Coalition of Delaware.

Councilman Wright is married to the former Trista Laster and is the proud father of Justen A. Wright II. In addition, Justen’s family history includes being the son of Robert O. & Deborah A. Wright; brother of Robert II and Maurice I; and the proud uncle of Robert III, Maurice II, Latrell and Mi-na.

Councilman Wright’s commitment to the entire Wilmington community is unwavering. He has received various awards and acknowledgements from community organizations that include the Markevic A. Johnson Scholarship Foundation, the Newark Chapter NAACP; and a Daring to Make a Difference Award from Mid-Atlantic District of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc.

Councilman Wright is committed to giving back to the community and remains as a positive role model for young people from all backgrounds. Councilman Wright is a firm believer in helping others, which is supported in part by one of his favorite quotes from Booker T. Washington, “If we are one, our cause is one, if we are to succeed we must help each other”.

Standing Committees of Council

Council Member Wright is chair of the Education, Youth & Families Committee. He is also a member of the following committees:

• Public Works and Transportation
• Housing and Licenses & Inspections