Mayor Michael Melham will be joined by his Mayoral neighbor, the Honorable Ras Baraka, in what will be a first of its kind, ‘After-Hours Lecture in the Conservatory.’
The event will be held in conjunction with the Belleville Public Library - located at 221 Washington Avenue - on Feb. 27th at 6 p.m.
“Belleville has a little known, yet extremely important, place in Black History. Belleville was a stronghold for the anti-slavery movement, including the Belleville born Chief Justice of the NJ Supreme Court who issued an historic anti-slavery ruling to Theodore Dwight Weld, America’s leading abolitionist to the underground railroad safe haven. Belleville was also home to the editor of the first ever Black Newspaper.” Said Mayor Michael Melham. “In Belleville will never forget our past.”
While the event will cover Belleville’s history, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka will be the featured speaker.
“We are honored to have the Mayor (Ras Baraka). The Mayor has been a great friend to Belleville and I’m thrilled to have him at our inaugural ‘After-Hours Lecture in the Conservatory’ event. I’m eagerly looking forward to hearing what he has to say,” Melham concluded.