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Real Talk Thursdays Returns in October

Real Talk Thursdays will dedicate the month of October to Electoral Politics. The kick off speaker will be Newark, NJ's Ras J. Baraka

Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele, Community Contributor

Posted Sun, Sep 17, 2017 at 2:32 pm ET

REAL TALK THURSDAYS RETURNS IN OCTOBER TO DISCUSS ELECTORIAL POLITICS!

Newark, NJ – REAL TALK THURSDAYS will resume in October with an emphasis on politics for the 2017-2018 school year. Since election season is taking place in Newark and in New Jersey during the upcoming school year, REAL TALK THURSDAYS is dedicating the month of October to electoral politics. The Gubernatorial elections takes place in November of 2017, Newark, NJ’s Mayoral elections, and City Council elections, take place in May of 2018 and the US Congressional midterm elections will be taking place soon. The theme of the forum for the month is the following: Bringing Electoral Politics Back to the Southward Neighborhood of Newark, NJ.

This fall, we will have a powerful line-up of elected and political candidates representing various levels of government scheduled to speak at the historic school. Newark, NJ's Mayor Ras J. Baraka will be the first guest speaker on October 5, 2017 at 7:00pm. New Jersey Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Phil Murphy is planned to come on a Thursday, as well as, US Senator Corey Booker. Hip Hop artist turned political candidate, Dupree “DO IT ALL” Kelly, from the legendary Hip Hop group Lordz of the Underground, plans to speak about his campaign to run as a Councilman-At Large seat in Newark, NJ. US Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. is committed to speak for Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 7:00pm.

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

REAL TALK THURSDAYS continues to include community leaders and community-based organizations to insure a successful dialogue among community stake-holders. The organizations and leaders that have signed on to move the program forward will be the following: 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.

Bashir Muhammad Akinyele, the Chairperson of the Black History Month Committee and a history teacher at Weequahic High School says, “since REAL TALK THURSDAYS takes place at Weequahic High School in the Southward, it is only right that we have partnered with Newark, New Jersey’s Council President Mildred Crump and Southward Councilman John Sharp James. They have committed themselves to helping us have a successful program.” He also added that, “this program is an opportunity to discuss solutions, with our elected officials, to the problems affecting African Americans, Latino Americans, people of color, women, the youth, and humanity.”

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

REAL TALK THURSDAYS is a student and community forum initiated by Weequahic High School’s Black History Month Committee. The focus of the forum is 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.

Weequahic High School Black History Month Committee was created 14 years ago, by history teachers to organize programs and activities for February’s Black History Month.

REAL TALK THURSDAYS are held at Weequahic high school’s auditorium at 279 Chancellor Avenue in Newark, New Jersey!

For more information about the Real Talk Thursdays at Weequahic High School, contact (908) 956-3523 or (973) 705-3795.