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Celebrate Black History Month in Union County with a Series of Free Events

Union County, NJ – In recognition of Black History Month the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to invite the public to a series of five free events highlighting key historical and cultural themes throughout Black history.

“The experiences and accomplishments of African Americans have defined the course of history in America for hundreds of years,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to contribute to Black History Month through public events that enrich our knowledge and deepen our appreciation of their contributions.”

The celebration will kick off with a Black History Month flag raising ceremony in front of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 1st.

On Monday, February 3rd, a production of A Langston Hughes Song Revival will take place at Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., featuring the poetry of Langston Hughes set to music by African American composers Margaret Bonds and Florence Price. To register visit ucnj.org/black-history-month, or contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 for more information about the program.

On Saturday, February 8th, there will be a performance of Raisin: A Musical at the Main Stage of the Union County Performing Arts Center, located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The show is a musical adaptation of the Lorraine Hansberry play A Raisin in the Sun. Prior to the performance, the Freeholder Board will present the annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award. Call the UCPAC box office for ticket information at 732-499-8226.

On Monday, February 10th, at noon the Freeholder Board will recognize the 400th anniversary of the transatlantic slave trade and its reverberations in life today with a free educational “Lunch and Learn” event, in the Freeholder meeting room on the 6th floor in the Union County administration building in Elizabeth. 

Lastly, on Thursday, February 13th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., residents and visitors are invited to Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center, located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside to “meet” Rosa Parks in a first-person interpreter presentation by Alexandra Ford of the American Historical Theatre.

Attendees must be age 18 or older or high school students. Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended through the Trailside Talks link on the Union County activities online registration website, https://secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog.

For more information about Black History Month programs please contact Nathalie Hernandez of the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at nahernandez@ucnj.org.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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