Wellpoint New Jersey Sponsors “Latif Rivers Day” in Elizabeth
Family Day to Acknowledge Elizabeth, New Jersey Native’s Contribution to Literacy
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2026
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
WHERE: Erxleben Recreation Center
513 Richmond Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07202
WHAT: Wellpoint New Jersey will sponsor Latif Rivers Day, a free community celebration honoring the Elizabeth native, Harlem Globetrotter, children’s author, and youth literacy advocate Latif “Jet” Rivers.
Families can enjoy free food, free haircuts, amusement rides, a bouncy house, a live DJ, basketball games, and other activities throughout the day. The “Latif Rivers Day” Soccer Skills Challenge starts at 12:00 PM. Free haircuts will be available from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Rivers, a graduate of Elizabeth High School, played college basketball at Wagner College before joining the Harlem Globetrotters in 2017. Now entering his tenth year with the organization, he has expanded his work beyond basketball to focus on youth education, literacy, and community engagement. He is the author of My Home and Where I’m From, a children’s book that encourages young people to celebrate their identity, community, and personal stories.
Rivers has previously partnered with Wellpoint New Jersey on literacy programming, including the company’s Read Across New Jersey initiative, where he has encouraged elementary school students to read, tell their own stories, and take pride in where they come from.
Wellpoint New Jersey’s support of Latif Rivers Day continues its broader commitment to supporting children and families through literacy, health, community engagement, and locally focused partnerships across New Jersey.