First Public Session of NJ Reparations Council

The New Jersey Reparations Council, which the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) launched on Juneteenth this year, is comprised of nine subject-matter committees who will spend two years diligently studying the Garden State’s unique history of slavery and structural racism, and its connection to our present-day landscape. It will then propose bold and imaginative policies to not only repair the enduring harm of slavery but also to build a New Jersey where Black people are truly free and thriving.

Each Committee will hold one public session to inform the public of its findings to date, and, crucially, to hear from people with connections to New Jersey about the Committee’s area of focus.

The public is invited to join on September 26 at 6:30 p.m. for the History of Slavery in New Jersey’s public session.  

NJISJ wants to hear your thoughts on the Garden State’s history of slavery and how it is directly connected to today’s racial disparities, some of the worst in the country.

If you’d like to join via Zoom and share commentary live on New Jersey’s history of slavery, you must register here. Commentary will be limited to three minutes.

If you prefer to watch the session live but not participate, watch on the NJISJ YouTube channel here.

If you’d like to submit longer testimony in any form – writing, video, audio, art or other means of expression – whether or not you participate live or watch, you may do so here.