Woodbridge African-American Teachers Honored For Black History Month

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On February 20, the Woodbridge chapter of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) hosted a Black History Month celebration at Kiddie Keep Well Camp. At the event, they honored the following African-American educators in the Woodbridge school district:

Jennifer Murphy, principal of Fords Middle School
Precious Acosta, 8th grade English & language arts teacher at Fords Middle School
Emilia Martinez, paraprofessional at Fords Middle School
Kevin Harris, retired vice principal of Colonia High School

All were invited and some of the honorees came with their families. The guests participated in team-building games, group discussions and interactive activities.

Acosta was the keynote presenter. A teacher with more than 25 years of experience, Acosta is a proud Rutgers graduate She has been writing poetry and short stories since she was seven years old and is currently working on a children’s picture book series. Her talk was entitled “The Strength of a Pen and the Power of Words," and it took the audience on a journey through the history of Black and African-American literature in America. Acosta taught the children about a range of celebrated Black writers in America, including Jupiter Hammon, Phillis Wheatley, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Harlem Renaissance writes Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Richard Wright and James Baldwin, plus contemporary writers such as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, K’wan, Tananarive Due and Brandon Masse.

Following the presentation, the guests shared personal reflections on the importance of the month. February was Black History Month and 2026 is actually the 100th year Black History Month has been celebrated in America.

Martinez spoke to the youth about the necessity of setting life goals, while Murphy delivered a message on perseverance.

"Be proud of your culture and be proud of who you are," she told the children. "Don’t get carried away by what others say. Be yourself, that is how you succeed."

Harris, the retired Colonia vice principal, is a published author, as well. His book is "The Need to Succeed: Strategies for Building Everlasting Success," https://a.co/d/0duSYRLU https://a.co/d/0duSYRLU

In a gesture of respect and hospitality, the honorees were gifted with traditional shawls by HSS Central Jersey Director Keshav Dev and co-director Prajakta Bhalerao. Samosas were served.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh or HSS is a non-profit, socio-cultural organization that aims to coordinate the Hindu American community to practice, preserve, and advance the values of the Hindu concept of dharma. With over 220 branches nationwide, HSS conducts regular values-based education programs for children, youth and adults. The Woodbridge HSS chapter has been involved in the community for over 15 years, conducting events such as community clean-ups, teacher appreciation events, food drives and educational programs for all ages. They recently adopted part of Rt. 27 in Colonia.