Newark ‘Real Talk’ Forum At Weequahic Returns For New School Year

NEWARK, NJ — One of Newark’s most relevant and straight-talking public forums is returning for the 2017-18 school year at Weequahic High School with some heavy-hitting political guests.

“Real Talk Thursdays,” a student and community forum initiated by Weequahic High School’s Black History Month Committee, aims to provide “free, weekly spiritual, cultural and political education discussions to empower, inspire, and organize African /African-Americans, Latino-Americans, people of color, and the entire human family to become progressive change agents in America and in the world.”

In October, the public forum will tackle the following theme: “Bringing Electoral Politics Back to the Southward Neighborhood of Newark.”

Bashir Muhammad Akinyele, chairperson of the Black History Month Committee and a history teacher at Weequahic High School, said that the program has partnered with Newark City Council President Mildred Crump and South Ward Councilman John Sharp James.

Upcoming guest speakers this year will include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, New Jersey Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Murphy, U.S. Senator Cory Booker and U.S. Congressman Donald Payne Jr., Akinyele stated.

Organizations and leaders that have signed on to move the program forward include the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition (NAVC), the Pan-Afrikan Muslim Association, New Jersey Communities United, Douglas Freeman of the Weequahic Park Authority, and the Young & Successful Men's mentoring organization.

Real Talk Thursdays are held at Weequahic high school’s auditorium at 279 Chancellor Avenue in Newark. For more information, contact (908) 956-3523 or (973) 705-3795.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page here.

• See related article: The Black Lives Matter Movement Will Be Discussed At Real Talk Thursdays
• See related article: Newark Public Forum To Discuss 'Original Black Panther Party'
• See related article: The Struggle Against Domestic Violence In Newark

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Bashir Muhammad Akinyele

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