Prof. Khalil Gibran Muhammad will introduce this important, virtual discussion that features a panel of Black medical professionals to explain facts about COVID19 vaccines, their results and their importance. Following the panel, questions from community participants will be answered "live."

Autumn Jones is a singer-songwriter from Maplewood, New Jersey, and a recent graduate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. The soulful r&b she creates is an expression of her life experiences as told through her stories told in each of her songs, which are available on all major platforms.

Join us on an interview of Renowned Artist Patricia Coleman-Cobb as she explores the intricacies of her newest art piece "Lady Pearl". This piece is proudly wearing her Inaugural Pearls in reverence to our 1st female Vice President This ORIGINAL 29x21 piece is adorned in a silk beaded dress with a sculpted face.

In-Person - by appointment - Black History Month - Artists and Curatos Group Exhibit
A showcase of the art of some former board members of the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center .They are artists and curators who contributed to the diversity of many acclaimed exhibits. As black artists and curators, they were able to use their connections to bring other black artists - both locally and internationally known- to the 1978 Arts Center to exhibit.

This Little Light of Mine, written and performed over 80 times by EMMY® Award Winning Soprano Adrienne Danrich, is an inventive one- woman musical tribute honoring the ground-breaking careers of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price. Danrich’s storytelling ability, the beauty of her voice, and poignant multi-media images creatively document the lives of these two internationally renowned artists who overcame many racial barriers from the Jim Crow era through the Civil Rights Movement and beyond.

For the 4th year, Mayor Frank leads a BHM Book discussion

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is a nonfiction book by the American journalist Isabel Wilkerson that was initially published in August 2020 by Random House. The book describes racism in the United States as an aspect of a caste system – a society-wide system of social stratification characterized by notions such as hierarchy, inclusion and exclusion, and purity.

Sponsored by: The Maplewood Chamber of Commerce
A panel discussion with representatives/owners of our Black owned businesses to highlight their businesses and increase community awarenes

A Black History Month Celebration of Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Questioning Authors Shared in Community. Presented by SOMa Justice and Maplewood Library.

Columbia High School and NNJYO (Northern NJ Youth Orchestras) present “Jubilee! A Celebration of Black Composers” An enlightening, inspiring selection of music from over 250 years, performed by student ensembles of Maplewood and South Orange with special guests.

For ages 6-10 A live Zoom craft with Simone from Express Yourself. After registration, participants can pick up their supplies at Doorside

"In her debut children's book, "Liam's First Cut, Taye Glover weaves together the beauty of fatherhood, community, and neurodivergence as Liam, a black boy with an autism spectrum disorder, approaches a day he's been anticipating, for quite some time."

Drawing from published and original poetry, prose, and plays, My America showcases the unique perspectives and contributions of African Americans to our national identity. The selections presented endeavor not only to honor the strength and struggles of African Americans through time, but also to extol the passion and creative brilliance emanating from this heritage, texturing the American experience at every step

Drawing from published and original poetry, prose, and plays, My America showcases the unique perspectives and contributions of African Americans to our national identity. The selections presented endeavor not only to honor the strength and struggles of African Americans through time, but also to extol the passion and creative brilliance emanating from this heritage, texturing the American experience at every step

In-Person - by appointment - Black History Month - Artists and Curatos Group Exhibit
A showcase of the art of some former board members of the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center .They are artists and curators who contributed to the diversity of many acclaimed exhibits. As black artists and curators, they were able to use their connections to bring other black artists - both locally and internationally known- to the 1978 Arts Center to exhibit.

The Preschool Book Club uses children's literature as a tool to talk about social justice, race, equity, and more. This virtual event will include read-alouds for the kids (ages 0-6) and a curated list of children’s books that include Black activists and leaders challenging authority for families to add to their home libraries. In collaboration with Community Coalition on Race’s Integrated Play Group.

Individuals or groups will present their contributions to the celebration of Black History. They can be musical interpretations, readings, other creative works. Some may be pre-recorded, some may be live. We have invited young people as well as adults. We say Hilton families but, the HNA welcomes all, so there may be other-than-Hilton performances.

Everyone has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. Learn more here about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated. We'll focus on pedestrian and traffic stops, protests, and in school. Youth are especially welcome--learn how to keep yours.
SOMA Justice - co-sponsored with the Maplewood Community Police Board and Maplewood Township

The Africana Institute is ECC’s center for the exploration and critical examination of the African global experience. In addition to scholarly opportunities the institute possesses museum quality African Art of which many are unaware. The institutes Director Dr. Akil Khalfani will take us on a virtual tour of these singular works of art along with their back stories.

"From a fierce and humorous new voice comes a relevant, insightful, and riveting collection of personal essays on the richness and resilience of black girl culture."

Columbia High School
Am I Black Enough, CHS Students Only/Not Open to Public

Columbia High School - Black Lives Matter
Protecting our Blackness in White Spaces

In honor of Black History Month, the Borden Park Neighborhood Association celebrates the 1993 Nobel Lecture of Toni Morrison. Preeminent American novelist and peerless in precison*, courage and wisdom, Morrison was the first African American woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize, “who in novels characterized by visionary force and poetic import, gives life to an essential aspect of American reality.

“Is This What We Paid For” is a (1) act stage-play that poses a simple question. If activists who perished during the civil rights era were able to come back present day to see how African-Americans currently live, would they feel their sacrifice was worth the fight or was it all in vain?

Join Our Gang as they travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from October 5-14, 2021. During that time, the World Expo will be held which was postponed from 2020. Join our Zoom meeting on Saturday February 13th at Noon as we discuss this adventure as only Our Gang Travel can present it.

In-Person - by appointment - Black History Month - Artists and Curatos Group Exhibit
A showcase of the art of some former board members of the 1978 Maplewood Arts Center .They are artists and curators who contributed to the diversity of many acclaimed exhibits. As black artists and curators, they were able to use their connections to bring other black artists - both locally and internationally known- to the 1978 Arts Center to exhibit.

Using his French training and techniques, Chef Jesse paves the way in keeping traditional Southern cooking alive with his contemporary point of view. Join Chef Jesse for a food demonstration and lecture about his book, “POW! My Life in 40 Feasts” – a cookbook and memoir.

CALL ALL ARTISTS! The YMCA is celebrating Black History Month by collecting creative, inspiring, works of art created by community members to be displayed around the community and featured on Facebook. Submissions can include drawings, paintings, poetry, sculptures, or any other types of art.

For ages 6-10 A live Zoom craft with Simone from Express Yourself Studio. Registration

Looking for a way to honor Trayvon Martin’s life? We welcome you. Please join our virtual meeting to celebrate Trayvon Martin’s birthday at this kid-focused annual event put on by SOMA Justice.