Black History Month in Monmouth County

Black History Month in Monmouth County for February 2013 is bursting with information, fun, learning and so much more. Although Black History Month is officially designated for the month of February Monmouth County is starting things off in January with a few events.

To honor the memory of MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. It all begins on Wednesday, January 16 when Congregation Torat El in Oakhurst will CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PMP lease RSVP: 732-531-4410. More than 60 area congregations of all faiths and denominations have been invited to attend Followed by a sumptuous dessert reception.

On Friday, January 18, beginning at 8:15 PM, Temple Shalom of Aberdeen and New Light Baptist Church of Cliffwood Beach join together for MARTIN LUTHER KING SERVICES. Further info, 732-566-2621.

The Community YMCA and The YMCA of Western Monmouth County presents Brian K. Roper who will be the Keynote Speaker at the 24th Annual DR. KING MEMORIAL BREAKFAST at Branches Catering, West Long Branch on Monday, January 21 at 8amFor tickets and more information, 732-671-5505, x20.

Later that evening join in with the MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DISCUSSION from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, Lincroft Two ministers, Reverends Gil Caldwell and John Licitra, will discuss the experience and meaning of the historic 1965 Selma march.Sponsored by the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET) and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County. Call 732-747-0707 for further info.

This year’s focus of the MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY’S PROVOST FILM SERIES is on “African Journeys: Haunting Legacies, Fragile Futures”The series is organized by the Provost’s Office and the Office for Global Initiatives with a different film for each month. The first film of 2013, Raoul Peck’s “Lumumba” on Monday, January 28 For
further information, please contact: 732-571-4474.

Join the CENTER FOR HOLOCAUST HUMAN RIGHTS & GENOCIDE EDUCATION(Chhange) in THE BIG READ, an initiative to inspire citizens, young and older, to read and discuss a single book and participate in a myriad of activities throughout Monmouth County. Chhange has selected A Lesson Before Dying as The Big Read for Monmouth County For further information see, CHHANGE, www.chhange.org

DON’T MISS THE KICK-OFF OF THE NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN READ-IN TRAIN OF LEARNING on Monday, February 4 from 9:00 AM -2:00 PM at Monmouth University, West Long Branch.

RSVP: WSCA: 732-774-7900 Registration Required Presented by West Side Christian Academy (WSCA) Call if you would like to participate. Students, teachers, parents, elected officials, and friends will join the National African American Read-In and read literature written by African-American authors. For further info on how to host
your own Read-In call or write Linda Walters, lwalters@ncte.org, 1- 800-369-6283, x 3632 Eatontown Resident, Lorraine Stone will be appearing in AMAZING GRACE, A One Act Play on Stage at Brookdale College, Performing Arts Center Directed by Darrell
Willis Please call: 732-224-2411 for info and tickets Further info, Wisdom Keeper,
http://wisdomkeeper.webs.com/

Two River Theater will be presenting August Wilson’s TWO TRAINS RUNNING From February 2, 2013 – February 24, 2013Tony Award-winning director Ruben Santiago-Hudson returns to the theater with a new production of Wilson’s Two Trains Running, part of his 10-play cycle about the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th century. Further info, Two River Theater, www.trtc.org, 732-345-1400.

Head over to Neptune High School on Saturday, February 23 from 12pm – 3pm, Neptune’s Black History Month Program “FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE” Call 732-685-7854 for further info
Cap it all off by attending the MONMOUTH CIVIC CHORUS CONCERT on Saturday, March 16 from 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM at Count Basie Theatre with I HAVE A DREAM Honoring the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s iconic speech and the150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation through music, readings, and reflections Call: 732 933-9333 for further info and tickets

For information on these Black History Month Events and other events check out, BizEturtle:Events in Monmouth, www.bizeturtle.com.

For further information contact, Lynn Humphrey, lynn@bizeturtle.com 732-759-0485.