Coalition on Race announces ChooseSOMA website to welcome black families

SOUTH ORANGE/MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race has launched ChooseSOMA.com, a website that showcases the towns’ drive for diversity, inclusion and belonging. While South Orange and Maplewood are among the most diverse municipalities in New Jersey, demographic data has confirmed a decline in black families moving in. According to U.S. census […]

SOMA Community Coalition on Race to celebrate its 25th anniversary

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Join the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race as it celebrates the organization’s 25th anniversary and reflects on its efforts to create equity and preserve racial integration. The virtual event, “The Pursuit of Racial Equity & Integration: A 25-Year Journey in Maplewood and South-Orange,” will be held Tuesday, March […]

CCR to sponsor virtual foreclosure and eviction protection workshop

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — In support of South Orange and Maplewood residents who are currently involved or in danger of becoming involved in foreclosure or eviction, the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race in partnership with La Casa de Don Pedro will provide a virtual workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. […]

South Orange BOT approves allocation for loan project to support black homebuyers

South Orange BOT approves allocation for loan project to support black homebuyers

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Board of Trustees approved a resolution to allocate $100,000 from an affordable housing settlement agreement with the Third and Valley redevelopment project to support the Wealth Gap Equalizer Loan program at its Oct. 11 meeting with a vote of 5-0; Trustee Karen Hartshorn Hilton was absent. The loans […]

CCR to host South Orange–Maplewood BOE debate on Oct. 26

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Join the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at 7:30 p.m. to hear the 2021 Board of Education candidates views on integration and equity in SOMA schools. Topics may include persistent lack of diversity in teaching staff; segregation within classes at the middle and high […]

SOMA PRIDE is back with a month full of events

SOMA PRIDE is back with a month full of events

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — SOMA PRIDE 2021 is a time for South Orange and Maplewood residents to come together as one in celebration of all LGBTQ-plus identities and allies collectively united. The monthlong schedule of events will shine a light on LGBTQ-plus issues with books, films, discussions, performances, picnics and parties, and recognize […]

Community Coalition on Race sponsors 2021 Conversations on Race

Community Coalition on Race sponsors 2021 Conversations on Race

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — On Thursday, April 29, the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race and Seton Hall University will co-host Conversations on Race, an annual community dialogue on race-related issues. This year’s event, titled “Racial Justice in Education,” will be virtual and is free and open to all. The featured speaker is […]

SOMA community invited to ‘Roadmap to Equitable School Integration’ discussion

SOUTH ORANGE / MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race and the Presidents Council of the South Orange–Maplewood School District will present “Roadmap to Equitable School Integration: Lessons Learned from ‘Nice White Parents’” on Tuesday, April 13, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. As the SOMSD prepares to better integrate its elementary schools, […]