Black History Month Event In West Orange Will Include NJ Congresswoman

WEST ORANGE, NJ — U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver will be the keynote speaker at an upcoming Black History Month event in West Orange.

The West Orange African Heritage Organization (WOAHO) will host its annual Black History Month program at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the West Orange Public Library, 10 Rooney Circle.

The WOAHO – a local nonprofit cultural and educational organization – was founded in 1999. It provides scholarships to graduating high seniors in West Orange, provides free tutoring service in West Orange public schools, and conducts cultural and civic engagement throughout the year.

“This year we are focusing on celebrating Black achievement and defending our history from those seeking to defame it, deny it and erase it,” vice president Brent Draper said.

“We are fortunate to have Congresswoman McIver – a leader in New Jersey and in Congress, where she is at the forefront of protecting Black history from erasure – to deliver this very important message of celebrating and defending Black history, which is American history,” Draper added.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.