Burlington County is celebrating Black History Month with events, workshops and performances throughout the month of February and early March that showcase the county’s rich Black historical presence and culture.
Among the upcoming Black History Month events planned in Burlington County is the Underground Rail Museum of Burlington County’s annual Celebration of Local Iconic Heroes/Sheroes scheduled Feb. 21 at Rowan College at Burlington County.
Rowan College at Burlington County and the Burington County Library System also have several additional Black History Month events and programs planned, including a fashion show, Black History luncheon, coin collecting workshop and a musical tribute to Ray Charles.
“Black History is both American history and Burlington County history,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “Burlington County is home to numerous important Black historic sites and figures, and we will proudly celebrate the contributions made by Black Americans to our county and nation.”
Throughout the month of February, the Commissioners plan to honor and recognize standout Black community leaders and historical figures from Burlington County.
“We are proud of our county’s connection to so many great Black leaders, innovators, groundbreakers and achievers from our past and present,” said Hopson. “By celebrating them and their achievements, we hope to educate and inspire future generations to follow their dreams and strive to make their own contributions and accomplishments.”
Here is a rundown of some of the upcoming Black History month events and programs:
Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County Celebration of Local Iconic Heroes/Sheroes
The celebration and induction ceremony will be held Feb 21, at 6 PM in the college’s Votta Hall auditorium. This year, the history makers being honored are: Rev. Walter A. Rice, the founder of the Bordentown Manual Training and Industrial School, and John Medley, an advocate for the historic Bordentown boarding school, nicknamed the “Tuskegee of the North”; Clarence Jones, a Palmyra native who befriended Martin Luther King Jr. and assisted him with writing his famed “I Have A Dream” speech; New Jersey Senator Troy Singleton, Burlington County’s first Black state senator; Tuskegee Airmen James A. Cotton; retired Superior Court Judge Marie White Bell, the first Black woman to serve as a New Jersey Superior Court judge.
RCBC Fashion Show
Rowan College at Burlington County will host its annual Black History Month Fashion Show on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 6 PM, in the college’s Student Success Center. The event features a runway-style fashion show showcasing designs from both RCBC fashion design students and industry professionals. It is organized in collaboration with Atlantic City Fashion Week.
Black History Month Soulful Luncheon
The special luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1 PM, in the college’s Student Success Center The luncheon will feature a unique menu from Chef Emery Ware. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the RCBC cashier’s office in the Student Success Center.
All About Coins: Black History Coins and Minted Currency
The special workshop will be held Sunday, Feb. 16, at 1 PM at the Main Branch Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. The free class will be run by the Holly Coin Association and will focus on assembling coin collections, including figures of Black History who were honored with coins and minted currency. No registration required.
Forever Ray: Honoring the Music of Ray Charles
The free concert from the Ray Charles tribute band, Forever Ray, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 2 PM, in the Burlington County Library auditorium, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. No registration is required, but seating is limited and will be first come first served.
Exploring Databases: Black History
The library class will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton. The free class is devoted to helpful search tips and how to navigate various library databases. This class will focus on researching Black History with various databases. No registration required.
Empowered, Brilliant and Brave: Great Women of Black History
This special production will be held in honor of Black History and Women’s History Month on Sunday, March 9, in the Burlington County Library auditorium. It will highlight inspiring Black women such as Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Sojourner Truth, Michelle Obama and more. The show is free and no registration is required. Seating is limited and will be first come, first served.
In addition to these events, the Burlington County Library System is also holding painting classes at various library branches that will showcase the life of Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. There are also lists of recommended books, films, records and more.
For more information, visit the Burlington County Library System website at https://www.bcls.lib.nj.us/ .