By: Maryela Gallardo, Follow South Jersey Intern
SOUTH JERSEY— In South Jersey, many non-profits, organizations, communities, and schools have worked to create an inclusive space for people. During Black History Month, organizers planned events that celebrated the achievements of African Americans.
The South Jersey Cultural Alliance (SJCA), a regional art support organization, gives aid to all South New Jersey counties. The group works to help organizations, artists, and professionals within the arts and culture sector. Shoanne Seijas, the membership and programs manager gave background about the organization.
“We connect, empower, and advocate for the artists, communities, and organizations to promote engagement and investment in arts and history,” said Seijas. “We envision an inclusive and vibrant South Jersey, where arts and history play a key role in everyone’s life, boosting the region’s economy and cultural identity.”
The SJCA works to promote and uplift its partners, who benefit from this by being able to showcase their arts and culture. Seijas believes that it’s not just in this month but everyday black artists and Black-led organizations and their voices are amplified by them. Recently, the SJCA created a list of Black History Events for people to attend in the South Jersey region to promote.
Recently, Stockton University held an event called, The Power of Words: Jim Crow’s Media Legacy, where students could learn the origin of words and how phrases from the Jim Crow era are used in everyday language now. Since SJCA promotes music, they promoted the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey and their show, “A Celebration of Unity and Diversity,” which featured a concert with a selection of different works. Guests could hear the African rhythms incorporated into their performances.
The Perkins Center for the Arts held its exhibition titled “80 Years of Black Music in America,” which honored the work of Black artists and their cultural contributions. The Rowan Art Gallery celebrated Black History Month with their latest showcase of Black Panther newspaper artists and their work at the, “Carrying On: Black Panther Party Artists Continue the Legacy.”
Camden County celebrated Black History Month by honoring Historically Black Colleges and Universities at the Millennium Skate World. Along with entertainment, food, vendors, and Greek life organizations, guests learned about the HBCU culture.
All of these events created for the celebration and appreciation of Black History Month, demonstrate the community’s efforts to continue honoring the month. Whether that is educational, musically, or through a fun activity, groups across the region are acknowledging Black History. The cultural significance from its early formation still plays a part in why it’s celebrated today.
Created first by Carter G. Woodson, in 1924 with this fraternity brothers was Negro History and Literature Week, and in 1926 the week was announced to be observed in Feb 1926. Woodson chose February because it was also the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who shaped black history. The week was observed in schools and before the public. His goal was to highlight the contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history. It wasn’t till President Gerald Ford designated February as Black History Month in 1976.
Lourin Plant, an assistant professor in the music department at Rowan University, stresses why African American History Month is culturally significant and relevant today.
“I think we celebrate this because it has been left out,” Plant said. “We exist in a country that has a selective memory, that has to protect its own interests and has selectively eliminated so much of the truth of the great contributions that have been made to its history, and this country would not be what it is without the contributions of so many people.”
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