WOSD, WOAHO recognize Anna Easter Brown during Juneteenth celebration

WOSD, WOAHO recognize Anna Easter Brown during Juneteenth celebration

WEST ORANGE, NJ — On June 19, the Library Media Center at West Orange High School was filled with fashionable women of all ages dressed in shades of pink and green, celebrating not only the unveiling of the portrait of West Orange–born educator Anna Easter Brown, but the day itself. The West Orange School District […]

East Orange celebrates Juneteenth flag raising

East Orange celebrates Juneteenth flag raising

EAST ORANGE, NJ — Joining the long list of those celebrating Juneteenth, East Orange honored the national holiday by holding a flag raising on June 19 at City Hall, with many elected officials in attendance. Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, Juneteenth is now recognized as an official national holiday. Councilwoman Alicia […]

SOMA community celebrates Juneteenth

SOMA community celebrates Juneteenth

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange and Maplewood community came together at Flood’s Hill in the village to celebrate Juneteenth with a barbecue, beer garden and performances. Despite some light drizzle, the festive atmosphere couldn’t be dampened. Photos Courtesy of Sheena Collum

NAACP holds Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Bloomfield College

NAACP holds Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Bloomfield College

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — In support of the mission of the Oranges and Maplewood Branch of the NAACP and in observance of Juneteenth, Bloomfield College raised a commemorative flag on campus in front of Knox Hall as part of its participation in the Bloomfield Township Juneteenth celebration. Fittingly, the double-sided standard-size flag was designed to feature […]

WOAHO to celebrate Juneteenth, honor Anna Easter Brown

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange African Heritage Organization, in partnership with the West Orange Board of Education, will honor historical figure Anna Easter Brown, a West Orange native, on Saturday, June 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at West Orange High School’s Library and Media Center, 51 Conforti Ave.  Brown graduated from West […]

Bloomfield to celebrate Juneteenth with two-day festival

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The recent proclamation of the Juneteenth holiday by the township of Bloomfield and state of New Jersey will be celebrated by the township, which will host its first Juneteenth festival. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the official end of slavery in the United States. “As we work to heal the […]

NAACP branch celebrates Juneteenth across several towns

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The Oranges & Maplewood Branch of the NAACP will mark the Juneteenth holiday with flag-raising ceremonies across several Essex County towns represented in the branch’s catchment area. A special commemorative flag or banner has been designed to fly or hang over the municipal complexes in Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood […]

Bloomfield College establishes Juneteenth as college holiday

Bloomfield College establishes Juneteenth as college holiday

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield College President Marcheta Evans announced to the Bloomfield College community that the institution recognized as New Jersey’s only four-year private predominantly black institution will be honoring Juneteenth as a college holiday for all students and employees. In making the announcement, Evans said, “I want to echo the words spoken by Gov. […]

Murphy signs legislation designating Juneteenth as a state and public holiday

Murphy signs legislation designating Juneteenth as a state and public holiday

TRENTON, NJ — On Sept. 10,  Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation S19, which designates the third Friday in June as a state and public holiday, known as Juneteenth Day. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved people of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation and their freedom. […]