Neptune Township and the Neptune Board of Education are celebrating the 14th Annual Black History Month with an afternoon of song, dance, and poetry. The dynamic, international award-winning Universal African Drum and Dance Ensemble from Camden Sat., Feb. 11.
There will also be a reading of original poetry, “Before We Were Slaves”, written exclusively for this event by local poet, Wanda Smith.
This year’s chairperson of the Black History Month Volunteer Planning Committee, Teretha Jones, said, “Many people think the history of black people began with slavery in America. This is not true. Our children need to know our history—that we were prisoners-of-war before we were slaves. We were wealthy and generous African kings and queens. We had vast cities, nations and universities. We came from strong, proud and successful ancestors.”
Last year’s event drew more than 200 people. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity has generously sponsored book scholarships for a few select college-bound high school students, which will be presented by Neptune Township Committeeman, Kevin McMillan.
As the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
