‘Must See’ Black History Celebration in Neptune
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Neptune Township is commemorating Black History Month Saturday with a day-long celebration featuring various events at the Neptune Middle School, 2300 Heck Avenue. The day begins at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the day until 5 p.m.
This fun-filled, educational day will honor the invaluable contributions of African Americans through live history re-enactments, speakers, and films, including Color Blind.” Also on tap are an Education Expo/College Fair, live musical performances, mock trials, art exhibits, and more.
During a final walk-through for the program Committee Co-chair and Deputy Mayor Michael Golub said, “This is the largest program that can be produced by this township under one roof.”
Golub said he expects several hundred people to attend the event. Last year, he said, there were 500 to 625 people at the event at any one time.
Luke Tirrell, a member of the planning committee and a teacher at the Midtown Community School, said there have been events held throughout Black History Month in the district.
“This the culmination of month-long events. There have been other events leading up to this,” said Tirrell. We have had weekly book readings, it’s not just one splashy event.”
According to the committee the events theme is Youth Empowerment through Education and Economic Opportunity. The purpose is to assist young men and women to build a strong level of belief in themselves that they can, they should, and they will succeed.
It has taken a year to plan this event to ensure that we have highly acclaimed organizations like Monmouth University, Rutgers University and the Liberty Science Center supporting the event, said Tina Morgan, chairperson for the Neptune Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. This is one event that you do not want your family and friends to miss.
Speakers include; Mayor Thomas J. Catley, Neptune Township, Lieutenant Drew LaFrance, Neptune Township Police Department, David Mooij, Superintendent of Neptune Township Schools, Peola Smith-Smith, Dr. Constella Zimmerman, Community Outreach Coordinator, REDEC, CECOM Fort Monmouth and Louis Jordan, Former Asbury Park Police Director.
Special guests include film producers, Pamela Peak, Producer/Director of the award winning documentary film, Colorblind and Chris Williams, Esq. Director/writer/producer of the award winning film Bellclair Times.
Reading recitals will be performed by Jordan Flemming, reading Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Juniors I have a dream, Cameron Debe reading Reverend Jesse Jacksons 1984 address to the Democratic National Convention Our Time has Come, and the Neptune Middle School students’ recital.
Musical performances will be performed by the Neptune High School Band and Chorus, David Conrad Briz song and narrative the Freedom Stairway and the Central Jersey Youth Club demonstrating a dance step program.
Live history re-enactments feature the Central Jersey Youth Club performing Famous Americans Come to Life, and Summerfield Elementary School students performing the African American Inventors Museum.
In addition to the above activities the event will include; an Education Expo/ College Fair, Food Court, Business Labs for young entrepreneurs, local service organizations, Mock trial, Law Enforcement-Legal Career Lab, and more.
Doors will open at 9 a.m. Admission is at least one canned or dry food grocery item per person for the CHANT food pantry which is run by local volunteer Annie Hainesworth.
For more information call the office of special projects at (732) 988-5200×272 or go online at www.neptunetownship.org.
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