Princeton & Slavery

RACE and everything around the subject is on the minds and lips of many and the Princeton Region is no different.  Over the w.e. I attended the Princeton & Slavery events in partnership with McCarter Theater.

https://www.mccarter.org/PrincetonandSlavery/

Weekend events will also include McCarter Theatre’s world premiere of “The Princeton and Slavery Plays,” seven newly-commissioned short plays based on historical documents uncovered as a part of the research project. Playwrights include:  Nathan Alan Davis, Jackie Sibblies Drury, Dipika Guha, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins ’06, Kwame Kwei-Armah, McCarter Artistic Director and Resident Playwright Emily Mann, and Regina Taylor.

http://arts.princeton.edu/events/princeton-slavery-project-symposium/2017-11-17/

After the Sunday performance I chatted with local Afro-Pop Artist Karey Maurice while traveling to his Red Balloon Studios.  One of the subjects included "what are the next steps."

On Monday Karey and I attended the Princeton & Slavery - A Post Show Community Conversation with Not in Our Town Princeton   The conversation was held at the Princeton Public Library with attendance over 70 ppl.  After brief introductions we gathered into small groups of ~10 and chatted about the pre-selected questions.

Sorry no audio regarding the conversations as per the organizations policy, therefore you will need to do some work!

Mercer Street Friends Food Bank

Recently I spent some time at Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. 

During my visit I chatted with Food Bank Director Dr. Denalerie Johnson-Faniel about this segment of the organization specifically the programs offered.

Have a listen to our chat.
https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/denalerie-johnson-faniel-food

During my visit I received a tour of the distribution process and captured some images of the volunteers and a few of the 80+ partnering organizations. 

During my chats with Dr. Johnson-Faniel and Executive Director Armstead Johnson I was enlightened about the programs offered and the scope of their business as the main distributor of food to large and small entities throughout Mercer County NJ.

Earlier this year I chatted with Mercer Street Friends Executive Director Armstead Johnson about the org. as a whole.  You can hear those conversations below.

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/armstead-johnson-executive

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/armstead-johnson-executive-1

In closing if food justice is something that interests you I suggest you contact either Dr. Denalerie Johnson-Faniel or Executive Director Armstead Johnson for more information.

In the interim have a look at some images capture from my most recent visit.

Ayana Iman Authentic Convos

~ a year ago I chatted with Ayana Iman of Authentic Convos over WIMG1300am

https://soundcloud.com/trenton365/sets/ayana-iman


During times like these I am encouraged and motivated by wonderful people like Ayana.  Acting on a vision for the betterment of humans is a rare trait nowadays.  However it needs to start with authentic conversations.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1477643185623100/

On Saturday 11/11/17 from 5-8p her series Authentic Convos returns to Grounds For Sculpture

More info https://www.eventbrite.com/e/authentic-convos-tickets-38045850162

#LBOT Franklin Park Neighborhood Trenton NJ

Recently I stopped by the #LBOT in the Franklin Park Neighborhood of Trenton NJ.  Before the winter is hard upon us I am going to repaint this piece to freshen things up a bit.

While visiting I dropped off a few dozen books and magazines from various sources.  Hard and soft covers including Romance, Philosophy and Youth items picked up from Championship Bar located at 931 Chambers St., and periodicals; Architectural Digest, Highlights for Kids and Quest for Boys donated by www.MagazineLiteracy.org

I have received requests for several boxes recently so stay tuned as this organic effort to address literacy expands!

Have a look at some of images that were captured.