Honoring Black History Month in Ewing
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and reflect on the contributions, leadership, and resilience of Black Americans who have shaped our nation and continue to move it forward. In Ewing Township, I am especially proud of our strong diversity and the many cultures, perspectives, and histories that enrich our community every day.
Throughout February, we will be sharing events and programs taking place in Ewing and the surrounding region that highlight Black history and culture. If you have an event you’d like us to include, I encourage you to share it by clicking the button below.
I hope you’ll join us in recognizing this important month and in celebrating the diversity that makes Ewing a welcoming and vibrant place to live.
— Mayor Bert H. Steinmann
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FEATURED
Oh Freedom! was created by New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites to introduce visitors to the Black soldiers of the American Revolution. These soldiers played important roles on both sides of the Revolution. Their goal is to share this information with everyone. Join us Friday, Feb. 20 for an informative program and a look at the powerful exhibit. Free. Thank you to the New Jersey Office of Historic Sites, State Parks, Forestry and Historic Sites, and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
100 Years of Black History Commemorations!
An African American by the name of Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926. This was the precursor to Black History Month. By 1926, African Americans in New Jersey had established hundreds of churches, lectures, schools, self-help groups, purchased lands and yes, wrote books, and fought for and won the vote for Black men and men and saved our people. As we mark 100 years of Black history commemorations, we are reminded that Black history is not confined to the past. It is living, evolving, and foundational to our shared story. We invite residents and visitors to Ewing Town Hall to experience this special exhibit, where 20 panels honor trailblazers whose lives and leadership shaped history locally, statewide, and nationally. May these stories inform, inspire, and remind us that progress is built by people willing to lead, serve, and stand for something greater than themselves.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Muleheaded, Passage Theater
Sunday February 1-15, 2026, Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 East Front Street, Trenton. www.passagetheatre.org.
World premiere. Harlem Renaissance writers Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston attempt to collaborate on a Broadway play called Mule-bone, but shifting loyalties to their white patron; explosive conflicts with a close confidante; and smoldering jealousies lead to betrayals that threaten to destroy long-term friendships and budding careers. $35
Art Openings, ArtWorks
Saturday, Feb. 7, 6 to 8 p.m.
In the Main Gallery, FUGAZI, a self-titled multidisciplinary exhibition by Trenton-based artist FUGAZI, explores perspective as the foundation of human experience. Rooted in moral relativism, the work reflects on how truth is shaped by culture, time, and personal identity.
In the Community Gallery, Celestial Bodies by Rashad Malik Davis is a reclamation of Black and Queer identity grounded in ancestral knowledge and spiritual history. Drawing from his academic background in anthropology, Davis examines Queerness as an ancient and sacred presence within many indigenous African cultures, one later disrupted by colonial erasure.
Click here for more information
Documentary Screening: Becoming Frederick Douglass, Ewing Branch
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m., Ewing Branch Library, 61 Scotch Road Ewing 609-882-3148.
Discover how a man born into slavery became one of the most influential voices for democracy in American history. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson explores the role Douglass played in securing the right to freedom for African Americans. Runtime: 54 mins. Registration is required.
Echoes of Movement: Remembering, Reflecting, Reclaiming
Feb. 7, 11 a.m., 42 Pennington Avenue, Trenton Greater Mt. Zion CDC
Description: Community dialogue exploring the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and Trenton’s Free African Society through storytelling and creative expression.
Website,
The Painter's Fire: The Life & Times of Black Artist Prince Demah
Saturday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m., Library of Historic Trenton Masonic Temple, 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ
Register at https://tinyurl.com/PrinceDemah
Artist Prince Demah, North America’s first identifiable enslaved portrait painter, lived an extraordinary life in revolutionary times. This talk by author Zara Anishanslin traces his life, art, and patriotism. From his beginnings as the enslaved son of a woman from Africa in Massachusetts through the unusual training he received in London from award-winning British painter Robert Edge Pine, from his Boston painting career near Phillis Wheatley’s home to his self-emancipation and military service for the American patriot cause, Prince Demah’s life is a remarkable story of his fight for creative and personal freedom. His inspiring story reminds us how artists shaped the Revolution on both sides of the Atlantic and testifies to both the promise and the limits of liberty in the founding era.In partnership with the Trenton Historical Society.
Author Zara Anishanslin is Associate Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware. She is the author of the award-winning Portrait of a Woman in Silk: Hidden Histories of the British Atlantic World and has served as a historical consultant for the Philadelphia Art Museum as well as “Hamilton: The Exhibition.”
Frederick Douglass' Birthday: Transcribe-a-thon, Hopewell Library
Friday, Feb. 13, 12 noon to 3 p.m., Hopewell Branch 245 Pennington-Titusville Road Pennington. 609-737-2610
Celebrate the birthday of Frederick Douglass by helping make history accessible. Drop in with your laptop to transcribe historical documents related to Black history and culture, contributing to projects such as The Colored Conventions Project. You can also stop by to watch the DouglassDay.org livestream featuring inspirational speeches and songs. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is requested. https://events.mcl.org/
Meet Harriet Tubman Through Art & Story, Ewing Branch
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 to 3 p.m., Ewing Branch, 61 Scotch Road Ewing; 609-882-3148
Come out and spend some time with Harriet Tubman through arts, crafts and historical literature. Visual storyteller Beverly Keese-Kelley brings all three to the Ewing branch. Enjoy crafting a Harriet Tubman image while listening to historical stories about her life and endeavors. Beverly will have on display her visuals to glean from. Children of all ages are welcome. Registration is required. https://events.mcl.org/
Thursday, Feb. 19, 5 to 7 p.m. and Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Morven Museum, 55 Stockton St., Princeton.
Foundation Academies (FA) Charter School in Trenton, NJ is proud to partner with Princeton Battlefield Society and Morven Museum to unveil Men W/O Shoes—a powerful event shining a long overdue spotlight on Black soldiers in America's fight for freedom in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month.
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February is Black History Month, and the Mercer County Library System is proud to celebrate with events honoring the heritage, culture, and achievements of Black Americans.
Join us virtually or at your local branch to reflect, learn, and celebrate together. Registration is required for most events.
Events
For Kids
Black History Month Scavenger Hunt
All month long, during library hours
Hightstown Branch
Space Craft Inspired by Mae Jemison
Monday, February 23, 4:00 pm
Tuesday, February 24, 4:00 pm
Hopewell Branch
Black History Month Book Tasting and Crafts
Friday, February 6, 10:00 am
Lawrence Branch
Wiggle, Giggle, READ
Wednesday, February 11, 10:00 am
Hightstown Branch
Meet Harriet Tubman Through Art & Story
Sunday, February 15, 2:30 pm
Ewing Branch
Drop-In Craft: Mae Jemison-Inspired Spaceships
Saturday, February 21, 1:30 pm
West Windsor Branch
For Teens
Birthday Party and Transcribe-a-thon in Honor of Frederick Douglass
Friday, February 13, 12:00 pm
Hopewell Branch
For Adults
Documentary Screening: Becoming Frederick Douglass
Saturday, February 7, 2:30 pm
Ewing Branch
The Short of It: ZZ Packer
Wednesday, February 11, 2:00 pm
Hopewell Branch
Birthday Party and Transcribe-a-thon in Honor of Frederick Douglass
Friday, February 13, 12:00 pm
Hopewell Branch
Non-Fiction Book Club – Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey and the Healing Power of Wildlife
Tuesday, February 17, 10:30 am
Ewing Branch
True Crime Book Club: A Devil Went Down to Georgia by Deb Miller Landau
Tuesday, February 24, 3:00 pm
Lawrence Branch
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