Social Justice Matters Forum

Sharing this sentiment from our friends at the Shady Rest. We wholeheartedly agree:

Help us celebrate our local Black businesses! Visit our website (www.socialjusticematters.org) to learn about National Black Business Month, local Black businesses, and ByBlack certification

August is Black Business Month! Help us celebrate our local Black businesses! Visit our website (www.socialjusticematters.org) to learn about Black Business Month, local Black businesses, and ByBlack certification.

LIMITED SUPPLY OF JUNETEENTH SANKOFA T_SHIRTS STILL AVAILABLE
We just celebrated our 2024 Social Justice Matters (SJM) Juneteenth Celebration. We are selling shirts to raise money for our Juneteenth 2025 Celebration. The T-sh*ts combines the Sankofa bird together with the SJM Juneteenth Logo.

The 2024 SJM Juneteenth theme this year was “SANKOFA: Looking Back at Our Past to Move Forward with Purpose for a Brighter Future”.

Sankofa literally translates to "look to the past to inform the future." This sheds light on the struggles of enslaved African peoples; though long gone, slavery is still a large chunk of African American history (of US History), and should be acknowledged rather than forgotten in order to move forward productively. The symbol itself is depicted by a bird which appears to be moving forward while looking back, supporting the idea of incorporating the aspects of the past into the future.

The shirts are $25. If you missed buying one at our celebration, there are still some available in limited sizes. (L, XL, 2XL) You can pay by credit card here: https://www.socialjusticematters.org/store/juneteenth-2024-t-shirt .

We can hand deliver any t-shirt for anyone living within 10 miles of Scotch Plains. Message me if you wish to pay by cash or want to schedule an alternative delivery method.

AFRICAN PERCUSSIONIST, AUTHOR, KOJO AYINDE JOHNSON TO TEACH CHILDREN A VALUABLE LESSON at the SJM Juneteenth Celebration

Mr. Kojo Ayinde Johnson will demonstrate the art of West African drumming while reading his book “The Lesson - Abu’s Curiosity” . Please join in for a spirited and cultural celebration of African drumming, with a valuable lesson to be shared with the children of all ages.

For more information about Brother Kojo go to:

https://www.socialjusticematters.org/blog/2023/5/31/demostration-ihistory-of-west-african-drumming-on-todays-culture-4fc35

SJM Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 22nd from 12-7 pm

Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Rd, Scotch Plains

For more information about this event and Social Justice Matters go to the SJM website https://www.socialjusticematters.org/

AFRICAN PERCUSSIONIST, AUTHOR, KOJO AYINDE JOHNSON TO TEACH CHILDREN A VALUABLE LESSON at the SJM Juneteenth Celebration

Mr. Kojo Ayinde Johnson will demonstrate the art of West African drumming while reading his book “The Lesson - Abu’s Curiosity” . Please join in for a spirited and cultural celebration of African drumming, with a valuable lesson to be shared with the children of all ages.

For more information about Brother Kojo go to:

https://www.socialjusticematters.org/blog/2023/5/31/demostration-ihistory-of-west-african-drumming-on-todays-culture-4fc35

SJM Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 22nd from 12-7 pm

Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, 820 Jerusalem Rd, Scotch Plains

For more information about this event and Social Justice Matters go to the SJM website https://www.socialjusticematters.org/

Social Justice Matters 7th Annual SJM Juneteenth Freedom Celebration Come celebrate Juneteenth with us on June 22 - Live Entertainment, Open Market Vendor Fair, Children’s activities Read More Social Justice MattersJune 13, 2024

Join SJM for 3 Juneteenth events, beginning with our meeting with Assemblyman James Kennedy on Tuesday, June 18th.

In the true spirit of Sankofa, as we commemorate the emancipation of the enslaved African Americans who came before us, let us explore the significance and impact of Reparations today. Join SJM and our partners in the NJ Faith Allies for Reparations for a meeting with our local NJ Assemblyman James Kennedy at his office in Rahway on Tuesday, June 18th at 12:30-1:30pm to discuss the NJ Reparations Task Force bill A602 and encourage his support. Our Assembly representative Linda Carter is already a co-sponsor.

Email us at [email protected] so we can discuss details and strategy ahead of the meeting.

Join us tomorrow morning for fun, friendship, and good eats! We’ll be there 9-11am. Buy a juice, smoothie, salad, etc and grab a seat with us

Join us on Friday for some healthy food and drink and fellowship. Stop in to grab your morning fix. Juicy to the last drop!

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embracing-black-mental-health-tickets-888777466327?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us TOMORROW for this opportunity to hear from NJ’s newest legislator! Link in bio

This Friday at Savory Selections meet Marklyn!

Join SJM and for a meet and greet with NJ’s newest legislator - Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez of the 32nd district! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about her motivations for coming into office, her experience as a woman of color who spoke a different language when entering the country, and what her top environmental priorities are.
Register at this link: https://www.mobilize.us/njlcv/event/621969/?utm_source=SJM
📆 Tuesday, May 7th at 6pm
📌 live via Zoom

Join us this Thursday
Register here: https://dioceseofnj.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoduytpjgqGt1HdU4AmCGiGV9xf5-JAdvm #/registration

Indulge in delicious desserts with 15% of gross sales being generously donated to SJM's 7th Juneteenth Celebration!

The fundraiser runs all day, but if you're available come join us 3-6pm for our monthly social!

Come tell us what Juneteenth means to you or learn about its significance and why it's important for our community

The Urban Cone will generously donate 15% of sales on April 20th to our annual Juneteenth celebration! Just mention SJM or Juneteenth. And if you're available, come at 3-6pm for our monthly social!

Tonight!

Join SJM and our partners in the NJ Faith Allies for a Reparations Task Force as we honor the legacy of Lt Gov Sheila Oliver. This event is free and there is free onsite parking. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScr1QVH7lSRFaHnQLeCVU3w7LHQdXC2W71e76LH101BeNSqYg/viewform

Eager to get your body moving? Come join SJM for our next social tomorrow at 6pm at Goshu-Kwan Studio, 1733 E 2nd St, Scotch Plains. Come flow with us!
https://www.facebook.com/goshukwan

NJ’s 21-day voter registration deadline unnecessarily disenfranchises people in every election. It’s time for NJ to join the 20+ states that have Same-Day Voter Registration!

To learn more, visit our new Democracy in a Day website https://www.democracyinaday.org

Are you hungry yet?
Come join us for our first social! Buy your own and let’s have fun. Call and order ahead for best selection. 6-8pm @ Savory Selections 1731 E 2nd St, Scotch Plains

Join and at our event during the 2024 SPF Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service!

Monday, January 15th from 1-3PM
Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA ()
1340 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains

Join Social Justice Matters and R.E.A.L. Parents x SPF at our event during the 2024 SPF Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service:
https://volunteer.globalcitizen365.org/opportunity/a0CVV00000FzHtO2AV/sjm-kings-dream

Monday, January 15th from 1-3PM
Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA
1340 Martine Avenue, Scotch Plains

We will have MLK-centered activities and readings for kids with SPFHS student leaders, as well as a separate space for families who sign up to be recorded discussing prompts about what Dr. King's dream means to them.

Learn more at the link above, and please help spread the word. Thank you!

Faith and Black Resistance Committee
Public Session
January 11th at 6:30pm

Our very own Rabbi Joel Abraham will be presenting!

Three ways to participate:
1 To share commentary live via Zoom you must register through the link http://bit.ly/NJRCSession3. The Committee will hear from as many registrants as time allows. Commentary will be limited to three minutes.
2 To watch the session live but not participate, you can watch on YouTube at www.youtube.com/ 6:30pm on Jan 11th.
3 To submit longer testimony in any form – writing, video, audio, art or other means of expression – whether or not you participate live or watch - you can submit it through the public comment tab at https://www.njreparationscouncil.org/public-comment-submisson?mc_cid=a6d75baef1&mc_eid=e407dd3368

SJM is partnering with REAL Parents x SPF to launch a multi-year project creating opportunities for families with school-aged (5+) children in our community to share and record up to 5 min of video expressing what Dr King’s legacy means to them today. For more information and to register go to https://volunteer.globalcitizen365.org/spfmlk

Register for 1.0 Newcomers at bit.ly/DCOR24_1 or for 2.0 Returning participants at bit.ly/DCOR24_2