SOMA Living January 2025

COALITION ON RACE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONVERSATION: BLACK WOMEN AND CIVIL RIGHTS Nancy Gagnier,

Join us for an inspiring and illuminating discussion on February 9th at 1 p.m. at The Woodland Parlor in Maplewood, NJ, as we celebrate Black History Month and delve into the crucial role Black women played in the fight for civil rights. This free event, co-sponsored by Durand-Hedden House and the Community Coalition on Race, will be led by Dr. Hettie Williams, a renowned scholar and author of “The Georgia of the North: Black Women and the Civil Rights Movement in New Jersey.” Dr. Williams, the new director of the William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture at the University of Massachusetts Boston, will bring her expertise to uncover the often-overlooked contributions of Black women in the civil rights and women’s movements. From grassroots organizing to leadership roles, Black women have been central to the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. Dr. Williams will shed light on their activism before, during, and after the Civil Rights Era, with a particular focus on the women of New Jersey, revealing their untold stories and highlighting their unwavering spirit. Following Dr. Williams’ insightful presentation, we will engage in facilitated small group discussions and a reception, providing a platform for further conversation and reflection. communitycoalitiononrace.org/events

Executive Director of the South Orange/ Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, develops pro-integrative strategies to support racial equity and inclusion.

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