NJ Celebrates Racial Progress: MLK Day Events In Essex County – Newark, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — New Jersey has ranked 5th on a list of states that made the most “racial progress” last year, and Essex County had several positive stories to contribute (read our list below).

Earlier this week, financial website WalletHub released its ranking of “States with the Most Racial Progress.” Researchers ranked states by measuring the gaps between blacks and whites across 21 key areas, including median annual income, standardized-test scores and voter turnout.

WalletHub said that its researchers only analyzed racial statistics for black and white people as a nod to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on Monday, Jan. 20.

See the full ranking and methodology.

“This report examines the differences between only blacks and whites in light of the high-profile police-brutality incidents that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement,” researchers wrote. “We released this report to coincide with the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement to end segregation and discrimination against blacks.”

Some of the key rankings for New Jersey included:

  • 24th – Change in Median Annual Income Gap
  • 16th – Change in Homeownership Rate Gap
  • 21st – Change in Poverty Rate Gap
  • 23rd – Change in Gap in percent of Adults with at Least a High School Diploma
  • 4th – Change in Standardized-Test Scores Gap
  • 5th – Change in Voter-Turnout Gap (2016 Presidential Election)

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MLK DAY 2020 IN ESSEX COUNTY

There are events being held in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day throughout Essex County this year.

Newark had a particularly diverse calendar of events for 2020 (see others in Essex County below).

On Jan. 20, the City of Newark, Newark Fire Division and the Essex County Urban League will partner with the Red Cross and volunteers from local community groups for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event to honor the life of King. Firefighters and volunteers will be going door-to-door, installing free smoke alarms and providing fire safety information as they visit approximately 2,000 homes within Newark’s West Ward.

Two days before the holiday, the People’s Organization for Progress was slated to hold its “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March Against Racism & Inequality” on Martin Luther King Jr. Bouldevard in Newark. That event was held as a show against “against racism poverty, inequality and war.”

Earlier in the week, Newark city officials hosted the 32nd annual “Sing in Praise of King” observance at Newark Symphony Hall. The City of Newark has been celebrating the life and legacy of King for more than three decades. Each year, the observance draws large audiences who celebrate King’s life with songs of praise, musical performances and powerful oratory. Keynote speakers have included Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, singer-actor-activist Harry Belafonte, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Princeton University professor and author Cornel West, and the youngest child of Dr. King, the Rev. Bernice King.

A High Mass in celebration of King will take place at noon at Grace Church, 950 Broad Street in Newark on Monday, Jan. 20. The event will include special music from the Choirs of Grace Church and the surrounding areas. All are welcome. (Learn more about this local event)

Other local events in Essex County include:

BELLEVILLE – The Township of Belleville will hold a Martin Luther King Jr. flag raising ceremony at Town Hall, 152 Washington Avenue at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20. (Learn more about this local event)

BLOOMFIELD – Bloomfield volunteers will honor the legacy of King this Saturday with a day of service taking place Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bloomfield Middle School, 60 Huck Road. The event is sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Committee and the Township of Bloomfield. Volunteers will assemble hygiene kits to be distributed to Toni’s Kitchen, Park United Methodist Church, County of Essex Homeless Point In Time Count, Isiah House, Soldier On, New Light Baptist Church, Essex County Division of Welfare, Bloomfield Middle School, Bloomfield High School, Apostle House and Interfaith Hospitality Network of Montclair, as well as filling 500 knapsacks for Toni’s Kitchen with food. People experiencing or on the verge of experiencing homelessness desperately need shampoo, toothbrushes/paste, deodorants, soaps and more hygiene products many people take for granted. All are invited to participate in this service project.

CALDWELLS – The Women’s Club of Caldwell is hosting their 25th annual Martin Luther King Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the West Caldwell Public Library. Participants will make fleece hats and scarves for women and children at OASIS. The club will also accept donations of new hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. (Learn more about this local event)

LIVINGSTON – The Livingston Committee for Diversity and Inclusion invites residents to be a part of this year’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 20. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Livingston Senior/Community Center, 204 Hillside Avenue, lower level. (Learn more about this local event)

MAPLEWOOD – Express Yourself Studios at 1877 Springfield Avenue in Maplewood will host its 12th annual “Celebrate Dr. King: Explore the Dream Through Art” workshop on Monday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will learn about King and the Civil Rights Movement through art. Families with children between the ages of 4-12 are welcome to participate in an art project exploring the themes of Peace, Equality, Friendship and Community. (Learn more about this local event)

MONTCLAIR – The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair will host Montclair Township’s Interfaith Martin Luther King Day service on Monday, Jan. 20 from noon to 2 p.m. at 67 Church Street. This year’s service is titled “A Dream Deferred.” (Learn more about this local event)

SOUTH ORANGE-MAPLEWOOD – The South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race will host the 19th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance on Monday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. at Columbia High School, 17 Parker Avenue in Maplewood. The event is free and open to all. This year’s theme is “The Power of One.” The program will feature youth voices who will reflect—through spoken word, dance, poetry and music—on “the power of individuals to transform our community and our world by counteracting bigotry, hate, and violence in the face of white nationalism.” (Learn more about this local event)

VERONA – The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona will hold their Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute event on Sunday, Jan. 19. At both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services, the church will celebrate the life and legacy of King by listening to a portion of his Aug. 28, 1963 “I Have A Dream Speech” during both Eucharists. (Learn more about this local event)

WEST ORANGE – There will be a Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance/celebration from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 20 at the Liberty Middle School auditorium, 1 Kelly Drive. (Learn more about this local event)

New Jersey lowered flags to half-staff on Dec. 9, 2019 in honor of Calvin West. (Photo via Ras Baraka)

STORIES OF RACIAL PROGRESS IN ESSEX COUNTY

Catch up on some recent stories involving racial progress in Essex County below. Click the headlines to read the article.

These Male Teachers Of Color Say Why Their Work Matters

“When I initially started teaching, just being one of the very few people who stood at the front of the classroom that looks like them and is from the same community they’re from, it made an immediate impact on my students.”

Ramy Wins Golden Globe; ‘Allahu Akbar,’ Rutgers Student Says

Ramy Youssef, who grew up in Rutherford and attended Rutgers University, gave a proud nod to his identity as an Arab Muslim when he accepted his award.

Montclair Mayor: ‘Hate, Anti-Semitism Have No Place Here’

There’s a lot of work that needs to be done when it comes to eradicating hate and bigotry, even in Montclair, the town’s mayor says.

Doulas Hired In Newark, Other Cities To Fight Baby Mortality Gap

The gap between black and white infant deaths in New Jersey may stand as high as 3-to-1, state officials say.

West Orange Man Remembers Day He Stood Up To Racist Bully

A bully spat at Elvin Padilla and bashed his Puerto Rican heritage. The “one-sided hate” taught him a lesson he still remembers to this day.

NJ Flags Lowered For Calvin West, Trailblazer From Newark

Calvin West was many things to his hometown of Newark and the state of New Jersey. On Monday, flags were at half-staff in his honor.

Korean-American Playwright Taps Childhood Memories At Luna Stage

“Soo Jin Pretty Nail (and more!)” was inspired by Korean-American playwright Susan Hyon’s experience growing up in the suburbs.

2 Essex County Residents Honored At Latino Heritage Celebration

Essex County Freeholder Carlos Pomares and longtime government worker Carmen Mosca earned awards from the county.

Essex County Residents Rally To Support Amistad Bill

A rally in support of the Amistad Bill – an effort to infuse African American history into NJ public schools – took place in Essex County.

Millburn Community Invited To Discussion On Race And Immigration

Expert Dr. Khyati Y. Joshi will speak at Millburn High School about race, immigration, and citizenship in a presentation open to the public.

3 Essex County Lawmakers Praise State’s New ‘Puerto Rico Day’

Essex County has an especially strong connection to the U.S. commonwealth.

Grant Will Help Pay For Bilingual Signs At Clara Maass Hospital

About 40 percent of the patients and visitors at Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville speak Spanish, hospital administrators say.

Montclair Rabbi, Activist Hailed As ‘Human Rights Hero’

Rabbi Elliott Tepperman of Bnai Keshet in Montclair has been involved with LGBTQ rights, anti-gun violence and immigrant justice.

1st Mrs. New Jersey With ‘Locs’ Fights To Change Beauty Standards

When TaNisha Fordham of Essex County found out she was the first Mrs. New Jersey with sisterlocks in her hair, she was shocked.

Talking To Children About Racist Language In Maplewood

The Schools Committee brought stakeholders together to share experiences.

Newark Native Promotes Arts With Latino Film Festival

The Newark Latino Film Festival returned to the Brick City after a successful debut last year.

Activist On Black History Month: Where Do We Go From Here?

“When we really unify with one another, fight for self-determination, vote, and coalition build, our movements become much stronger.”

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