Burlington County is celebrating Black History Month with events, workshops and performances throughout the month of February and early March to showcase the county’s rich African American historical presence and culture.
Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and the Burlington County Library System have several additional events and programs planned, including a fashion show, a Black history luncheon, a coin collecting workshop and a musical tribute to Ray Charles.
Throughout Black History Month, the commissioners will honor and recognize standout Black community leaders and county historical figures.
The month’s events and programs include:
Underground Railroad Museum celebration: The event and induction ceremony will be held in the college’s Votta Hall auditorium on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. This year, the history makers being honored include Rev. Walter A. Rice, founder of the Bordentown Manual Training and Industrial School; John Medley, an advocate for the historic Bordentown boarding school nicknamed the Tuskegee of the North; Clarence Jones, a Palmyra native who befriended Martin Luther King Jr. and assisted him with writing his famed “I Have A Dream” speech; Troy Singleton, the county’s first Black state senator; Tuskegee Airman James A. Cotton; and retired Superior Court Judge Marie White Bell, the first Black woman to serve as a New Jersey Superior Court judge.
Black History Month soulful luncheon
The luncheon is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. in the college’s Student Success Center. It will feature a menu from Chef Emery Ware. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the center cashier’s office.
All About Coins: Black history coins and minted currency
This workshop will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at the main county library branch in Westampton. The free class will be run by the Holly Coin Association and will focus on assembling coin collections, including figures of Black history who were honored with coins and minted currency. No registration required.
Forever Ray: Honoring the music of Ray Charles
The free concert from the Ray Charles tribute band Forever Ray will be held in the county library auditorium in Westampton on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. No registration is required, but seating is first come, first served.
Exploring databases: Black history
This free class will be held at the county library branch in Westampton on Saturday, Feb. 22 and will focus on helpful search tips and navigating library databases with information on Black history. No registration required.
Empowered, Brilliant and Brave: Great women of Black history
This special production will be held in honor of both Black History and Women’s History Month on Sunday, March 9, in the library auditorium in Westampton. It will highlight inspiring Black women such as Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Sojourner Truth and Michelle Obama. The show is free and no registration is required. Seating will be first come, first served.
In addition to these events, the library system will also hold painting classes at various library branches to showcase the life of Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. There are also lists of recommended books, films, records and more.
For more information, visit the library system website at https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/.
