Union County Kicks Off Black History Month With 4th Annual Flag Raising

UNION COUNTY, NJ — In honor of February being Black History Month, Union County will celebrate its diverse community with its 4th annual flag raising.

The Union County Board of County Commissioners is inviting the community to attend the flag raising ceremony to mark the beginning of Black History Month on Tuesday at 3 p.m. It will take place outside of the Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth.

“The flag raising ceremony helps raise awareness that Black History Month is a significant time of year in our diverse community," Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams said. "It provides all Union County residents with new opportunities to explore important people, milestones and movements in American history, while enabling those of us who share in the culture to gain new insights into our heritage."

Williams will make some opening remarks at the ceremony, followed by an invocation from Pastor Edwin Brown of the Progressive Baptist Church of Rahway and remarks by Commissioner Dr. Angela R. Garretson and Commissioner James E. Baker, Jr.

“February is a month to become more enriched by sharing and celebrating the accomplishments and sacrifices through stories of resilience, survival and achievement in the African-American community, and to provide all of our residents with renewed inspiration to support members of the Black diaspora and beyond,” Garretson said.

The flag raising marks the start of several Black History Month events that will take place throughout February in Union County, hosted by the Commissioner Board.

The series is free and open to the public. It includes:

• Wednesday, Feb. 9, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.: A virtual Lunch and Learn session titled, “Maintaining Our Mental Health: Wellness Strategies for Coping during the Pandemic,” focusing on the African American experience of COVID-19.

• Feb. 18 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.

• Feb. 24 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.

The Commissioner Board will also engage with various programs and activities in Union County, including an event featuring the 19 Black County-Elected officials in New Jersey on Wednesday at Kean University.

On Feb. 4th, 11th, and 18th, 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, to learn more about Black History Month programs, contact Judith Guest of the Union County Office of Community Engagement and Diversity at Judith.Guest@ucnj.org or 908-527-4388.