Our Newark Futures Explores Black and Asian Community Ties

Newark Public Library will host a special holiday edition of the “Our Newark Futures” community gathering, featuring live jazz performances, dinner, and a presentation on the New Jersey Oral History project. The event explores the historical and cultural connections between Black and Asian communities in New Jersey and the United Kingdom.

The upcoming gathering, reported by allevents.in and stayhappening.com, serves as a convergence of music and academic research. It brings together prominent local musicians and historians to discuss cross-community relations through both performance and oral testimony.

Who is performing at the library?

The evening features a live performance by a group of established New Jersey musicians and ensemble leaders. Pheeroan akLaff and Peter Lin will lead the musical program, joined by bassist Caylen Bryant.

Pheeroan akLaff is a prominent New Jersey jazz musician and the founder of the non-profit Seed Artists. According to event details, akLaff has developed various music series across New Jersey and New York and has a history of extensive collaboration with musicians in Asia.

Peter Lin, who organizes the Asian American Jazz Festival in Newark, will also perform. Lin leads the Catbus Collective and the Asian American Jazz Collective, and maintains professional ties abroad in Taiwan.

What will the historians discuss?

Dr. Nicole Burrowes, a historian from Rutgers University, will present findings from the New Jersey Oral History project. This research is part of a broader collaboration with the University of Nottingham in England.

The project specifically focuses on bringing out the voices of cross-community relations within New Jersey and the UK. Dr. Burrowes will invite individuals who are currently working across Black and Asian communities to meet and learn how to participate in these historical efforts.

How can residents attend?

The event includes a dinner service for those in attendance. Because of the catering requirements, an RSVP is required to reserve a seat and a meal.

The gathering takes place at the Newark Public Library, located at 5 Washington Street, Newark. While the event is listed with a $0.00 ticket price on stayhappening.com, attendees must still complete the reservation process to ensure they are accommodated for the meal.