On Feb. 19 nearly 300 residents from North Plainfield and surrounding communities gathered at the North Plainfield Community Center for a ‘Celebration of Black History.’ The Black History Month program was organized by Councilwoman Keiona Miller and was hosted by radio show personality Marc A. Medley, the Host of Brave New Radio- The Reading Circle.
The program kicked off with a flag ceremony by North Plainfield Girls Scouts Troop 65942 under the direction of Mrs. Hope Mitchell, convocation by Joel Biggers, Pastor of Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church, and opening statements by North Plainfield Police Chief William Parent and North Plainfield Mayor Michael Giordano.
The three-hour long event featured oratorical, dance and musical performances by 10-year old orator Rhyan Brown, Royal Priesthood of the North Stelton AME Liturgical Dance Ministries, pianist Quinn DeGeneste, soloist Erika Staley- Williams, the Central Jersey Community Chorale, the North Plainfield High School (NPHS) Choir, under the direction of Mrs Amy Six; and the NPHS Step Team, led by Mrs Nicole Hawker-Daniel.
The Keynote address was delivered by U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr., Other special guest speakers included Dr. Jerard Stephenson, North Plainfield High School Principal; Richeleen Dashield, Dean of multicultural affairs at the Paul Robeson Institute, and Shanel- Pullings-Robbinson, Franklin Township Councilwoman.
A main highlight of the program was a special tribute made to Dr. Willa Cofield in honor of her achievements as a social justice activist. The presentation was made by Lytanda Zellner, former North Plainfield Rec. Coach.
Willa Cofield is a retired educator who has devoted her life to community upliftment and social justice. She has deep roots in North Carolina where she taught at Inborden High School, Enfield, North Carolina. She now resides in Plainfield, New Jersey.
The program themed ‘Honoring Our Past, Inspiring Our Future’ successfully incorporated participation from many area youths, and insights and education from elders and various community leaders.
Other local community groups that supported the program included Rev. Ursula Cargill and congregants of Agape House. Rev. Jeremiah and Yvonne Heath and congregants of The New Testament Church of God, Healing & Deliverance Ministries, Pastor Neville Copeland and congregants of Glad Tidings Church of God of Prophecy, Frank D’Amore Sr. and the North Plainfield Citizens for Community Rights (NPCCR), the North Plainfield Optimist Club, members of the Somerset County Democratic Committee Black Caucus, and members of the North Plainfield-chartered Beta Alpha Rho Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
“I am most proud of the willing participation of so many of our young people. And I’m very grateful for the overwhelming support that I received from North Plainfield residents, the school district and local clergy groups. I wish to extend sincerest thank you to everyone who attended, and participated and supported this event,” Miller Said.
(above l-r) Lytanda Zellner, Dr. Willa Cofield, and Councilwoman Keiona Miller.
(above) Joel Biggers, Pastor of Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church
(above) North Plainfield High School Choir, under the direction of Mrs Amy Six.
(above) North Plainfield High School Step Team, led by Mrs Nicole Hawker-Daniel.
