Gloucester Count’s Town Celebrations for Black History Month
Image by Microsoft CoPilot AI.
BY KADAYSHA LITTLE | South Jersey Emerging Journalist Project
Through the month of February, various groups and organizations will celebrate Black History Month with a variety of events. Here are some of those programs.
Monroe Township Black History Month Celebration
Monroe Township Community Affairs is hosting their second annual Black History Month
Celebration on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Road, Williamstown. The focus of this celebration is community togetherness and education. Two accomplished guest speakers will lead the program, Dr. James E. Johnson and Quandell Iglesia. Dr James E. Johnson is a notable historian and the author of “Black Biographies of the Lower Delaware Valley: Antebellum to the Great Migration”. Quandell Iglesia, awarded South Jersey Magazine’s 2024 Men of the Year, is a member of the Monroe Township board of education. Both men will be giving inspiring reflections, while guests have the opportunity to listen and participate in hands-on activities. Light refreshments will be provided.
From Revolution to Rhythm: America’s Freedom Story Told Through Black History Culture and the Arts
On Saturday, Feb. 21, at 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council and Franklin 250 are coming together to curate a special event for Black History Month. From Revolution to Rhythm: America’s Freedom Story Told Through Black History Culture and the Arts will take place at Franklin Middle School, on the Hamilton Street Campus, 415 Francis St., Somerset. The commemoration is a large celebration, featuring multiple types of live performances, presentations and activities. All activities held at the venue will be kid-friendly or family-friendly. From Revolution to Rhythm: America’s Freedom Story Told Through Black History Culture and the Arts is free and open for all ages. Light refreshments will be provided and local businesses will be present. This year, the intention of the Franklin Township Cultural Arts Council and Franklin 250 is to honor artistic raditions, history and the achievements of Black residents of the township.
Journey on the Underground Railroad
Journey on the Underground Railroad is an educational experience happening on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Gloucester Township Blackwood Rotary Public Library, 15 S. Black Horse Pike, Blackwood. The event has free registration on the library’s website, with limited seating available. Jacqueline Miller Bentley of the Historical Society Board is presenting stories of the difficulties and successes of enslaved people who dared to attempt the route from to freedom. The event is back this year, same as last year, to educate the Gloucester Township community of Black Gloucester Township Black History Month Celebration
Gloucester Township Council BHM Ceremony
The Gloucester Township Black History Month Celebration will be held on Monday, Feb. 23. The ceremony is at 7 p.m. during the Gloucester Township Council Meeting, recognizing outstanding African American community members. The event will be held at the Gloucester County Municipal building, 1261 Chews Landing Road, Clementon. Nominations were submitted by members of the community, with a deadline on Jan. 29. Three panelists, chosen by Mayor David R. Mayer, will select ten nominees to be honored with awards. The categories include community service, personal or professional achievements or general good deeds that positively impact the community. This award ceremony for Black History Month has been an annual offering since 2004, created to acknowledge and uplift the Black community members of Gloucester Township.
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading!
About Author
