Celebrate Black History In Burlington County At These Events

CINNAMINSON, NJ — Burlington County's rich Black culture and historical presence are the focus of the county's Black History Month events this February, commissioners said.

The community is welcome to a number of lectures, performances, art exhibits, and other events highlighting Black history in the county.

“Black History is both American history and Burlington County history,” said Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “Our county was known as the ‘Cradle of Emancipation’ because it was home to many of the nation’s leading slavery opponents and had at least 16 stops on the Underground Railroad. Numerous Black historical figures also lived here, including Oliver Cromwell, Dr. James Still, William Still, Ethel Lawrence and Willie James.”

Highlights include:

Art from local and national creators
The work of Marlton resident Joe L. Speight, who died last year, will be on exhibit in the Worker’s House Gallery (Historic Smithville Park, Eastampton) from Feb. 9 through April 8.

Another art gallery at Historic Smithville Park celebrates the work of Lady Bird Cleveland, an American painter of African, Cherokee, and Irish heritage. “The Art of Lady Bird, an American Treasure” is on exhibit through April 1 at the Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery. Her work focuses on the African-American experience.

A reception honoring both artists will be Saturday, Feb. 18 from 12-3 p.m. at the Underground Railroad Museum, also in Historic Smithville Park.

Spirit of Freedom lecture

Burlington County Historian Eric Orange will focus on an 1872 celebration in Mount Holly, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The event drew thousands from up and down the east coast.

This lecture is Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. at the Lyceum of History and Sciences in Mount Holly. Registration is required.

Honoring Muhammad Ali

Rowan College at Burlington County will celebrate the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali with a special lecture about his life and the battles for racial equality he fought. It will be Tuesday, Feb. 14 from 12:30-1:50 p.m. (Free to public. At Votta Hall Auditorium, Rowan College Burlington County Campus, Mount Laurel).

Music and dance performances

The Seventh Principle will use dance, music, and storytelling in "Bantaba: The Circle of Celebration," a performance Saturday Feb. 11 from 2-3 p.m. (Free to public. At Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton).

Another program at the library, titled Civil Rights Movements, is Saturday, Feb. 18, from 2-3 p.m. The show will tell the story of the American Civil Rights Movement through a fun and exciting dance performance.

Rowan College at Burlington County will host a Zawadi African Dance performance at 1 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Student Success Center in Mount Laurel.

Movies and more

The Burlington County Library is also holding special movie screenings at the Library Auditorium for Black History Month: "Loving" on Feb. 12, "The Butler" on Feb. 19, and "Selma" on Feb. 25. All movies begin at 2 p.m.

The annual Black History Month Fashion Show at the Rowan College at Burlington County is on Feb. 15. The show is from 7-8 p.m. at the college’s Mount Holly Campus (1 High Street). This runway-style fashion show will feature designs from RCBC students and industry professionals in collaboration with Atlantic City Fashion Week.

The Burlington County Library System is also holding a virtual tour of "Powerful and Dangerous: The Words and Images of Audre Lorde," a featured exhibit at the Alice Austen House Museum in Staten Island, New York. The virtual tour is free; registration is required.