FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
American history resonates with the names of great African-American men and women, and Black History Month is our nation's way of showing respect and recognition for the hard work of and sacrifices made by African Americans. Mercer County throughout the month will celebrate because Black History is American History! Watch this space for upcoming events! |
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Recognizing Trailblazing Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Bonnie Watson Coleman (born February 6, 1945 in Camden, N.J.,) is the first African-American woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. She has served as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district since 2015. Watson Coleman served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1998 to 2015 for the 15th legislative district. Watson Coleman, of Ewing, is the daughter of legendary state legislator John S. Watson, and her tenure in Congress continues a family legacy of public service, fighting for women, economically and socially disadvantaged populations, and other vulnerable groups in our society. Prior to her election as a Representative for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, Watson Coleman served eight consecutive terms in the New Jersey General Assembly and shattered racial and gender barriers to become the first Black woman to serve as Majority Leader, and as the Chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. During her time as Majority Leader, Watson Coleman convened a year-long series of public hearings on reforms to prisoner re-entry programs while shepherding legislation through the Assembly that the New York Times called “a model for the rest of the nation,” on prisoner rehabilitation and release.
Watson Coleman is serving her fourth term in the United States House of Representatives and is a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, where she serves as Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and serves as Vice Chair at Large of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In 2016, Watson Coleman founded the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls alongside two of her colleagues, the first caucus aimed at bringing both the tremendous challenges and incredible successes of Black women to the fore in Congress’s policy debates. In addition to continuing to co-chair the Caucus on Black Women and Girls and the role she serves with the Progressive Caucus, Watson Coleman is an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Slavery At Morven
Morven Museum
55 Stockton St., Princeton
(609) 924-8144 | morven.org
Please visit Morven's online exhibition highlighting the history of slavery at Morven.
The topic of human beings being treated as property is a difficult one and we aim to address it with the appropriate gravitas. Morven Museum & Garden's mission is to preserve our legacy by sharing its authentic stories. By not shying away from our story of enslaved people, we believe our visitors will have a better understanding of how our world evolved to where we are today. Much of this information has been available on our gallery walls, and in this format we can deepen the viewer's understanding by linking to source material. Research into the men, women, and children enslaved by the Stockton’s at Morven is ongoing and this site will be updated as new information is discovered.
To view this online exhibition, please see the link below:
https://www.morven.org/slavery-at-morven
THROUGH MARCH 5
Overcoming: Reflections on Struggle, Resilience, and Triumph
Arts Council of Princeton
102 Witherspoon St., Princeton
artscouncilofprinceton.org
Several days before his assassination, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. proclaimed that “We Shall Overcome”, in a refrain motivated by the hymn of the same name and the generations of Americans who fought (and will continue to fight) for justice and freedom for people of color. In “Overcoming,” artist, activist and writer, Rhinold Ponder, inspired by Dr. King, employs his mixed media paintings to provoke reflection of the resilience of Black people in a continuing struggle for recognition of their humanity and demand for human rights.
FEBRUARY 7, 6:30 p.m.
VIRTUAL: The Harlem Renaissance: Courage, Grace, and Vision
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
The Harlem Renaissance was the beginning of an explosion in creativity that transformed African American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general. Never had so many people of all backgrounds read the thoughts of African Americans and embraced the Black community’s productions, expressions, and style in art, literature, music, dance, and theater. This talk will introduce you to many of the inspired artists who produced astonishing and ground-breaking works. Please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to register to receive link to program.
FEBRUARY 18, 2 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: Black History Month Movie Matinee
The Mercer County Library, Ewing Branch
61 Scotch Road, Ewing
(609) 882-3130 | mcl.org
“Hidden Figures” (2016, PG, 127 min.), with Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe. The story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Please email ewprogs@mcl.org or call 609-882-3148 to register.
FEBRUARY 22, 4:30 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: Meet the Inventor, Celebrating Black History Month
The Mercer County Library, West Windsor Branch
333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction
(609) 799-0462 | mcl.org
Children will learn about an inventor and do a related activity. This program is geared for children ages 6 and up. Registration begins Feb. 15 at 9 a.m. Please email westprogs@mcl.org or call 609-799-0462 to register.
FEBRUARY 22 and 28, 6:30 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: Let's Celebrate Black Artists
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
In celebration of Black History Month, join us for a fun, hands-on program combining art and history! Each session will feature a different black artist, such as Alma Woodsey Thomas and Faith Ringgold. Kids will get to learn about an artist and create their own artwork inspired by that artist’s techniques and methods. The whole family is welcome – these art projects can be adapted to any age! Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library. Registration will begin Feb. 22 at 7 a.m. Please email lawysprogs@mcl.org or call 609-883-8295 to register.
FEBRUARY 22, 7 p.m.
VIRTUAL: In Graves of Their Own
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
Algernon Ward, a notable figure in Trenton’s history community and President of the 6th Regiment of the United States Colored Troops Reenactors, will highlight the history of Locust Hill, the largest remaining African American cemetery in the Capital city of Trenton. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Hickory Corner Branch, Hightstown Library Association, Friends of the Hopewell Library, Friends of the West Windsor Library and Friends of the Lawrence Library. Please email hopeprogs@mcl.org to register to receive link to program.
FEBRUARY 23, 7 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: If These Stones Could Talk (livestream at branch)
The Mercer County Library, Hopewell Branch
245 Pennnington-Titusville Road, Hopewell Township
(609) 737-2610 | mcl.org
Register to reserve a seat at the Hopewell Branch to watch the livestream of the discussion with authors and community members, Elaine Buck & Beverly Mills. Their book, “If These Stones Could Talk,” contains stories, including dozens of oral histories, that reflect the deeply important but often overlooked history of the collected lives of a minority Black community in the Hopewell Valley, a predominately White region. “Heritage Month Book Club” is sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation and Hopewell Valley Regional School District. Please email hopeprogs@mcl.org or call 609-737-2610 to register.
FEBRUARY 24, 5:30 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: Black History Month Film Screening: Harriet (2019)
The Mercer County Library, Lawrence Headquarters Branch
2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville
(609) 883-8294 | mcl.org
Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, the movie tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. PG-13. 125 min. Please email lawprogs@mcl.org or call 609-883-8292 to register.
FEBRUARY 25, 2 p.m.
INDOOR PROGRAM: Learn About the Freedom on the Move Project
The Mercer County Library, Ewing Branch
61 Scotch Road, Ewing
(609) 882-3148| mcl.org
Citizen-historians, family researchers, and others are invited to join a librarian at the Ewing Branch library to learn about the Freedom on the Move crowd-sourced database. A project of Cornell University and others, it digitizes newspaper ads about runaway slaves to provide access to the stories of self-liberating people, and may also lead to discoveries for those seeking hard-to find information about their enslaved ancestors. You may bring your own laptop to contribute to the database, or just come to learn about this unique resource. Registration required. Call 609-882-3148 or e-mail ewprogs@mcl.org with questions.
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