Union County, NJ – February 4, 2022 — Union County residents are invited to a free Lunch-and-Learn session on wellness titled, “Maintaining Our Mental Health: Wellness Strategies for Coping during the Pandemic,” on Wednesday, February 9th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event will feature special guest Lynette Sheard, Community Education Coordinator at the Mental Health Association in New Jersey and Director of the New Jersey Mental Health Players. The virtual event is part of the Black History Month series hosted by the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
“We are very excited to provide Union County residents with the opportunity to connect with Lynette Sheard during our Black History Month series. We share her passion for breaking down the barriers of stigma, raising awareness, and connecting the community with knowledge and insights. I encourage everyone to attend this important session,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.
Residents can register and find the Zoom information by visiting ucnj.org/black-history-month.
Lynette Sheard is an award-winning professional in the field of mental health as well as a powerful presence in the field of performing arts. She is well known as a vocalist across multiple genres including pop, rock, soul, gospel, jazz and R&B, and as a theatrical performer, director, producer, and vocal coach.
The series of Black History Month events hosted by the Commissioner Board started this year on February 1st with the 4th Annual Black History Month Flag Raising Ceremony at the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.
Additional events in the series include:
- February 18th at 7:00 p.m.: In partnership with the City of Rahway, a live production of the award-winning play Fences at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The event includes the presentation of the annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award. Please note that COVID -19 safety measure apply to this venue.
- February 24th at 6:30 p.m.: A free lecture on Zoom by Professor Keith E. Walcott of Union County College titled, “African American Survival: from Jim Crow to Civil Rights and beyond.” Professor Walcott will trace the capacity of African Americans to survive and achieve against great odds.
During Black History Month, the Commissioner Board also engages with various programs and activities throughout Union County, including an event featuring the 19 Black County-Elected officials in New Jersey that was held on February 2nd at Kean University. Union County’s social media channels will also feature Black History Month messages in recognition of the “Divine Nine” historically Black sororities and fraternities.
For more information and updates on Union County’s Black History Month series, including links for the virtual events, visit ucnj.org/black-history-month. In addition, if you would like to learn more about Black History Month programs, please contact Judith Guest of the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org or 908-527-4388.
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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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