Alliance Wire

Celebrate Black History Month in South Jersey

February 7, 2025 (updated 2/21/25 to provide additional resources)

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Black communities across the nation. In South Jersey, we’re fortunate to have a variety of events and programs that provide meaningful opportunities to reflect, celebrate, and engage with the stories that have shaped our region. Please take a moment to review the upcoming events below and add one (or more) to your calendar to attend!

• Stockton University Multicultural Center | The Power of Words: Jim Crow’s Media Legacy | Explore the hidden history of common words and phrases with origins in the Jim Crow era, revealing their past negative connotations and how they’ve evolved over time. | Date & Time: February 12 2025 at 2:30 PM EST | Location: Stockton University Multicultural Center | Event information.
• Douglass Day | Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon | Celebrate Douglass Day with a transcribe-a-thon in honor of the birthday of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895). Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP, limited seats available. Use one of our provided iPads for this project or bring your own laptop or iPad to this event! The transcribe-a-thon will bring together thousands of participants at more than one hundred simultaneous events around the world. Students, teachers, and community members will help to create new and freely available resources for learning about Black history. | Date & Time: Friday, February 14 from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. | Location: Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, Atlantic City | Register here.
• Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey | A Celebration of Unity and Diversity | From the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey: “This afternoon's concert features a diverse selection of works that showcase the power and beauty of orchestral music. We open with a vibrant exploration of African rhythms, followed by a virtuosic display of the American spirit, and conclude with a beloved masterpiece from the European symphonic tradition.” | Date & Time: Feb 16, 2025 3:00 PM | Location: 1401 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees Township, NJ 08043 | Event Information.
• The Lizzie Rose Music Room | Guy Davis | Guy Davis is an American blues guitarist, banjo player, and two-time Grammy Award nominee. He is the second child and the only son of the actors Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. | Date & Time: Feb 16, 2025 7:30 PM | Location: 217 East Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087 | Event information.
• The Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County | A Celebrationof Local Iconic Heroes/Sheroes | Join The Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County in this FREE event as we honor our history makers and their families. | Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 | Event information.
• Perkins Center for the Arts | Black History Month: 80 Years of Black Music in America | Join Perkins Center for the Arts in Collingswood to journey through 80 years of Black Music in America. This special event will honor the profound impact of Black artists and cultural contributions through music, art, and community. This special ticket bundle includes the daytime celebration and night time 21+ celebration. | Date & Time: February 22, 2025 from 12:30pm to 10pm | Event Information.
• NJ Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission | MLK Scholarship Essay Competition | The Commission will award 10 scholarships of $5,000 per student. The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is proud to offer 10 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per student to current high school seniors who are New Jersey residents. The scholarships will be awarded based on review of application by the independent reviewers appointed by the Commission. | Deadline: February 28, 2025 | More information.

Updates provided 2/21/25:

• New Jersey Historical Commission | Project Grants | Funding for expenses of specific projects relating to New Jersey history. Eligible categories include conservation of historical materials (manuscripts, books, costumes, historical visuals); editorial and publication projects; educational initiatives; partnership projects; exhibitions; media (films, radio, videotape, digital media); public programs; and research (including archaeological projects, fellowships, oral history, and National and New Jersey registers of historic places nominations). | “INTENT TO APPLY” DEADLINE: March 10, 2025 | More information and application.
• New Jersey Historical Commission | Diversity, Equity Accessibility, and Inclusion Program Grants | The New Jersey Historical Commission is very pleased to announce the availability of the Diversity, Equity Accessibility, and Inclusion Program Application and Guidelines. The Commission is committed to making New Jersey history more accessible by placing a priority on inclusion. The Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Program will provide training and implementation grants to nonprofits with a New Jersey history mission. Implementation Grants will enable organizations to work toward achieving the goals outlined in an existing plan. | Deadline: March 14, 2025 | More information and application.
• New Jersey Historical Commission | Black History Month Programming | Check out the list of programing and events for Black History Month from the New Jersey Historical Commission. | Info here.