Black History Month

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WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Each year, February is nationally recognized and dedicated to celebrating Black History Month. All month long, Woodbridge Township will honor contributions the African-American community made in American History and to our great Township. The annual celebration of Black History Month in Woodbridge Township kicked-off on February 7 in front of Town Hall with the first annual flag-raising ceremony.  

The Human Rights Commission will create an informative display in the lobby at Town Hall. Feel free to come visit and learn any time between 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. Additionally, we have many programs and events that our residents can take part in all for free. The Woodbridge Public Library will host two Black History centered programs: “A. Philip Randolph, Walter Reuther and the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom” on February 7 at 3:30 PM and “A Look at Black History Through Jazz” on February 28 at 7:00 PM. Call 732-634-44550 ext. 7120 for more information.

The Barron Arts Center will host “An Evening with Langston Hughes” one of America’s most renowned Black Poets on February 16 at 7:30 PM and sticking with the theme of writing, the Municipal Council, Human Rights Commission and the Woodbridge Township Board of Education partnered to judge the annual MLK Elementary School Essay Contest. The winner(s) of this event will be announced at the Acacia Center (95 Port Reading Avenue) on February 13 at 6:00P M.

Continuing our tradition of highlighting Township leaders and trailblazers in our community, we are calling on residents to nominate someone that inspires you by sending their photo and a short description of what makes them outstanding to: wbmayor@twp.woodbridge.nj.us. Their vignette will be featured on our social media pages.

Black History Month Celebration
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BHM Flag Raising Group Shot
BHM Flag Raising (1)

Woodbridge Township Celebrates

National Black History Month with Flag-Raising Ceremony

& Recognition of Black Leaders in Woodbridge Township

Woodbridge – Mayor John E. McCormac, the Woodbridge Municipal Council, the Human Rights

Commission and members of the community kick-off Black History Month with the Township’s first ever

Pan-African Flag Raising.

“Every year February is celebrated around the nation and in our Township as Black History Month,” said

Mayor McCormac. “Woodbridge Township has many incredible Black leaders in our community who

inspire and contribute to the prosperity of our amazing town. One of these leaders is Chairman Glenn

Morgan of the Human Rights Commission, who advocated the flag raising in honor of Black History

Month.”

Mayor McCormac presented a Proclamation to the Human Rights Commission declaring February as Black History Month in Woodbridge Township. Chairman Glenn Morgan along with Vice Chair Patricia Osborne, Denise Anderson, Don Green, and Rayshma Ali have continued the mission of instilling tangible inclusion and diversity of events in Woodbridge such as the Pan-African Flag Raising.

“To raise the Pan-African flag here in this Township for the first time ever is huge and it’s something that will happen annually,” said Chairman Morgan. “It’s all about inclusion and bringing people together. That’s what the Human Rights Commission is about and that’s what our members are trying to make sure this Township is about.”

The 2023 National Black History Month theme is “Black Resistance” highlighting how the Black community has worked to strengthen their communities. Woodbridge Township will participate in honoring those leaders and trailblazers in the community by highlighting individuals and sharing their stories and contributions with vignettes posted on social media.

Nominate a Woodbridge Township Black Leader

We are calling on residents to nominate someone that inspires you by sending their photo and a short description of what makes them outstanding to: wbmayor@twp.woodbridge.nj.us. Their vignette will be featured on our social media pages.

To keep up to date with the latest Black History Month Celebrations visit: https://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/1039/Black-History-Month

Martin Luther King 2023 Flyer

Flag Raising BHM 2023

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Langston Hughes Library Sign


The Barron Arts Center hosts “An Evening with Langston Hughes” presented by the American Historical Theatre

February 16, 2023 @ 7:30pm

For reservations call 732-634-0413

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Woodbridge, New Jersey– The Barron Arts Center & the American Historical Theatre present, “An Evening with Langston Hughes.”

Langston Hughes was a poet who utilized the American language, music, slang and religious views to educate the world about African-American lifestyles during the Harlem Renaissance. His jazz poetry depicted the "low-life", or the real life experiences of blacks in the lower social-economic strata. His criticisms focused on the divisions, and prejudices, based on skin color within the black community.

Actor Keith Henley’s portrayal deals with the issue of how to be oneself, and encourages all to joy in the knowledge that “I too have a song to sing” and to ask the question “why not me?”

Reservations Essential. Call (732)634-0413

This event is part of the All That Jazz NJ 2023 series at the Barron Arts Center; a multidisciplinary look at Jersey Jazz then & now.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners Through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

About Actor Keith Henley

Keith Henley’s background is one of great diversity. He graduated from South Carolina State College with a major in Chemistry and minor in mathematics and biology. Later, he went on to study Theatre Education at Camden County College in Blackwood, New Jersey. He currently owns and operates J.O.Y. Productions, Queenie’s Homemade Sweets and Catering, & Alpha Designs. In addition, he is the Artistic Director and Choreographer for Folkloric Heritage Culture Arts Company Inc. of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Keith began his historic interpretation career with Historic Philadelphia Inc. and has since worked for American Historical Theatre. He is presently serving as Artistic director for Transformation Theatre Productions of Camden and is the Director of the Theatre Ministry at First Nazarene Baptist Church, Camden. He also serves as the Stage Manager for Chosen Vessels Inc. of Philadelphia.

About the American Historical Theatre

Founded in 1992 (AHT) is a 501(c)(3) organization. AHT’s Actor/Historians educate, entertain and inspire through Living History. For more than 25 years, their first person interpreters have encouraged audience members to encounter and interact with history, developing empathy and underscoring the role of choice. AHT hopes that by creating a better understanding of the struggles and achievements of past generations, they can inspire the present to use these lessons and create a better history for the future.

Founders William and Pamela Sommerfield began with a teaching philosophy that rests on interactive, experiential learning.

Actor/Historians travel to historic sites and museums, businesses, schools and special events all over the world where audiences benefit from the company’s focused dedication to the fine art of historical interpretation.

AHT’s Actor/Historians offer authentic theatrical performances, dynamic workshops and programs using original scripts and spontaneous interaction with the audience, to bring to life beloved honorable men and women from the past. AHT carefully researches and investigates each of its characters, and all parts are cast with adherence to portraits, accurate historical costuming and comprehensive knowledge of the character.

This dedication to historic detail allows Actor/Historians to interact and answer questions from audiences as well. Currently, the hundreds of programs and plays created through the American Historical Theatre bring the Nation’s most interesting and important historical figures to life, educating and entertaining audiences all over the Nation.

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Black History Month