January 15-16 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 2021 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference

 Featured speakers include: Derrick Johnson, President, NAACP National, Stacey Abrams, Founder, Fair Fight, AFL-CIO Officers, and President Richard Trumka (UMWA). Register for free by clicking here.

January 17 – 23 The Long Shadow

The Long Shadow is a PBS documentary about Director Frances Causey’s personal living experience of white privilege in the context of the history of anti-black racism in the US. She exposes her own family’s enslaver history and looks at how slavery continues to have an impact today.  Click this link to view the film for free anytime between January 17-23. Regardless of whether you watch the full film, or a new 15-minute version, you may register to participate in the Q&A session with the Director Frances Causey on January 20 at 7:30 p.m. by clicking this link and filling out the information.  Content Warning: The film contains brief shots of violent, degrading images and references to human suffering.

January 17 7:00 p.m. Racism in New Jersey: Seeking Understanding–Pursing Justice

Panel discussion with Rev. Lukata Mjumbe, Imam Deen Shareef, and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson share testimony of their personal experiences of racial injustice and their vision of where change needs to start. To register (required) click here.  Questions? Contact ChairSocialAction@TempleBethElNJ.org.

Martin Luther King Jr Day

January 18 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission Youth Conference

Entertainment and activities for 8th to 12th grade students.  Click here to register.

January 18 10:00 a.m. – while supply lasts “Martin Luther King Jr Day A Princeton Celebration”

The Arts Council, in collaboration with the Historical Society of Princeton and neighborhood historian Shirley Satterfield, invites families to learn about the impact and influence of Black Princetonians by picking up a free, limited-edition coloring book. This 16-page book features prominent Black residents of Princeton from history including accomplished business owners, politicians, educators, and influential women, in addition to Martin Luther King Jr.’s visits to campus in the 1960s.

Coloring book pick-up is available at the Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton during the week of Martin Luther King Day, January 18-22, 2021 from 10am-4pm, and is limited to two books per household.

January 18 11:00 a.m. – noon MLK Day Community Story Hour with JaZams

“jaZam’s Jeff and Dean will treat attendees to some favorite new books celebrating stories of social justice, civil rights, and equality for all people, accompanied by ukulele tunes! Longtime Princeton resident and community volunteer Dana Hughes Moorhead and daughter Eme will join us as special guest readers to share their love of writing and reading with our community.  Books featured will include Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka,  I am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, and  The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver by Gene Barretta. Registration is FREE! Save your spot! This 45-minute program is free and open to all.

January 18 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Multifaith Service to Commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

 Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer will preach at the Princeton Clergy Association’s annual Multifaith Dr. Martin Luther King Service.  The Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer is the Founding Director of Salvation and Social Justice, a non-partisan Black faith-rooted organization that believes liberation should precede legislation and prophetic vision should precede public policy. 

Due to the pandemic, this years’ Service will be online. It will be held on Zoom; this is the link you will need to join: https://zoom.us/j/95187532500?pwd=M2ZRVHkyY1pqbmtyWEZHSjFwTTUrUT09. 

If you try to get on the Zoom and can’t because attendance is full, we will also be livestreaming to YouTube, which you can access by clicking here. 

January 19 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. National Day of Racial Healing

Musicians Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway have created Deeper Than The Skin, a lyrical experience that inspires you laugh, smile, cry and reconsider what you know about our history. Two friends… one Black, one White… one from the North, one from the South… musicians, storytellers, students of history and world travelers. NIOT Continuing Conversation participants had the opportunity to hear Reggie Harris perform on November 9, 2020 as part of Princeton Public Library’s Lift Every Voice series. For more information and to register click here.  

January 21 7:00 p.m. Making Black Lives Really Matter in New Jersey: An Action Agenda for 2021-2022

New Jersey Institute for Social Justice will present its Action Agenda along with New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and legislators including Sen. Sandra Cunningham (LD 31); Asw. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (LD 15); Asw. Shavonda Sumter (LD 35); and Asm. Benjie Wimberly (LD 35) providing remarks on legislation that must be passed during the next legislative session.  Register by clicking here.