Black History Month Celebrations in New Jersey

Whether you are looking for an event or activity to bring your students or children to, or if you are just looking to attend an event in New Jersey for black history month yourself, there are all types of events across the state to choose from.

The state of New Jersey has compiled a comprehensive list of events throughout the state. Two of the events which stood out to me are a reading contest and an essay contest. Both are these are good ways to encourage students, your children, or even yourself to participate in and learn more about black history month.

Willingboro Public Library. Event: African American History Month Reading Contest. Read any book by an African American author or on black history or culture and enter your name in a prize drawing any time in the month of Feb. in the Children's Room. Anytime. www.willingboro.org

Jersey City Public Library - The Heights. Event: Black History Month Essay Contest. For children. To honor African Americans and their contributions, please choose one African American and write an essay of no less than 150 words on how that person has impacted our history and society. Essays will be judged on wording, spelling, and facts. Three age groups: 1st-3rd Grade, 4th-6th Grade, 7th- 8th Grade. Prizes will be awarded to the top two essays in each age group. Please use the entry on the back to list your information and write your essay. Essays are due on Monday, February 25, and the winners will be announced on February 29. 201-547-4556. www.jclibrary.org

The Newark museum has events for adults, kids, and families during the month of February. All events are free of charge, although a donation is suggested (pay what you can afford). Visit the website for complete listing, but I have chosen a few of the events that seemed the most appealing to me:

Kids/Families

Drop-in Art Activity: Everyday Heroes
Saturdays & Sundays in February, ongoing 1-4 pm
(beginning January 30)
In honor of Black History Month, view Alison Saar's artwork celebrating the ordinary working person. Then pay tribute to someone who helps you in your life by painting a special portrait of them.

Adults

Black artists every Sunday afternoon perform/showcase work. Live theatre performances, and lectures.

Burlington, NJ Underground railroad self-guided tour. The tour passes through such historical sites such as the Oliver Cormwell House, a African American Revolutionary War soldier.

Cape May, NJ Black, Blue, and true exhibit A Photographic Exhibit of Cape May County African American Jazz & Blues Musicians.

At the historical Staats house in South Bound Brook, NJ~ Saturday, February 13, 2010 11 am - 4 pm is "Tory Jack Day" Tory Jack was a slave in the house and supported the patriots by spying on the British in colonial America.
Pulitzer Prize-Winner Annette Gordon Reed Will Speak at Rutgers on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, 2010NJIT free concert on Feb. 3, 2010 featuring local pianist Richard Alston