The festival represents the Witherspoon Jackson Community's role in shaping Princeton's identity and and more.
PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton's Witherspoon Jackson Community is preparing for a nine-day celebration that will honor both the legendary Paul Robeson and the neighborhood's deep roots in American history. The Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson Community Princeton Safe Streets Summer Program returns Aug. 1-10 with its most ambitious lineup yet, centering on the theme "On being More – Reflections On Paul Robeson and The Witherspoon Jackson Community.”
And joining them this year will be the new Superintendent of Princeton Public Schools, Michael LaSusa.
The festival spans Princeton's 20th Historic District, representing the Witherspoon Jackson Community's role in shaping Princeton's identity and its connection to some of America's most important founding history.
Each day of the festival will be dedicated to significant figures in Princeton's Black community history. The program will spotlight heroes and sheroes including Kathleen Edwards, Eric and Minnie Craig, William Brooks, Barbara Hill, William and Becky Patterson, Logan Pemberton, Lloyd and Barbara Banks, and Jim Carter—names that have helped define the community's legacy.
The celebration will take place at various sites and venues throughout Princeton, bringing together businesses, community leaders, organizations, and citizens in a unified effort to honor the past while building for the future.
The festival will feature several prestigious award presentations, including the Paul Robeson Witherspoon Jackson Community Honors Awards. This year's recipients include Dr. John Harmon, founder, president and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, and Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer, pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church and founder of Salvation and Social Justice.
In a particularly meaningful recognition, the program will honor the New Jersey state legislators who championed the recent bill making April 9 — Paul Robeson's birthday — an annual Garden State Holiday. Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Assemblyman William W. Spearman, Senator Shirley Turner, and Sen. Andrew Zwicker will all receive awards for their primary sponsorship of this historic legislation.
The Jim Floyd Memorial Lifetime Awards will recognize four cornerstone institutions - The Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, First Baptist Church of Princeton, and Not In Our Town. Meanwhile, the Mildred Trotman Community Service Awards will honor the Witherspoon Media Group, Arts Council of Princeton, The Dorothea Van Dyke Mclane Association (Dorothea House), and community member Pam Hersh.
The festival promises something for every generation. Attendees can look forward to a kick-off reception featuring a meet and greet with new Princeton Public Schools Superintendent LaSusa, a traditional community fish fry, and a gospel festival that will include legacy recognition of Black Princeton families.
The program tackles contemporary issues through "Hot Topics Conversations" addressing pressing questions like "Princeton 25 Years From Now," "DEI: The National Pushback - What Does It Really Mean," and "Defend Historic Princeton: Racism, Elitism or Policy Disagreements." These discussions aim to bridge generational perspectives and address current challenges facing the community.
Sports enthusiasts can participate in the Pete Young Sr. and John Young Memorial Basketball Games and the BBA Youth Hoops Skills Clinic. The festival will also recognize the all-time greatest Joint Effort Witherspoon Jackson basketball players, celebrating the community's athletic legacy.
Cultural programming includes the Chip Fisher Memorial Art and Ubuntu Cultural Pavilion Paul Robeson Legacy Exhibits, offering visitors a deeper understanding of Robeson's enduring impact. The Jim Floyd Memorial Video and Discussion on Growing Up in the Neighborhood provides an intimate look at community life through the decades.
The festival concludes with a Community Block Festival featuring local artist Grace Little, described as an "area songbird." The event will also introduce 2025 candidates for Mercer County and Princeton offices seeking community support, connecting the historical celebration with contemporary civic engagement.
Book scholarships will be awarded during the festivities, emphasizing the community's commitment to education and future generations. Municipal and educational updates will keep residents informed about local developments.