Funds For NJ Black History Program ‘Blocked,’ Newark Group Claims

NEWARK, NJ — The New Jersey Amistad Commission’s annual “Summer Institute” offers a chance for educators to gain a unique historical perspective on the roles African Americans have played in the United States. But as dozens of New Jersey teachers prepare to take part in this year’s summer training session, a group of Newark residents and activists are alleging that key funding for the program is being “blocked” by state officials.

On Monday, the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition (NAVC) continued its campaign to grab the attention of Gov. Phil Murphy, demanding that funding for the Summer Institute be “immediately restored.”

The coalition offered the following statement about the situation:

“This year’s Institute was to examine the conflicting legacy of Slavery and Freedom at Jamestown and actually participate in the Official Commemoration and their related educational activities starting today. It would yield participating teachers 47 Continuing Education Credits from the best scholars in the country on this crucial legacy from which America’s racial divide springs. The NJ Department of Education is using a backwards narrow interpretation of funding oversight regulations to block the funding allocated for this enormous instance of professional development for 100 very committed New Jersey teachers from participating.”

According to the NAVC, the state’s Amistad Commission was given a legal mandate to infuse the curriculum of public schools of New Jersey with the history and culture of African Americans. Under the leadership of former Irvington-based assembly leaders William Payne and Craig Stanley, it was mandated into law in 2002 through the State Legislature.

The NAVC said the Summer Institute gives teachers an “intensive” glimpse into several key areas of history. For example, last year’s Institute looked at Segregated Education in New Jersey, the first black schools in New Jersey and firsthand trips to their lineage in southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

This year’s effort planned to delve into the history behind the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first captive Africans brought to colonial American shores in Jamestown, Virginia.

“Jamestown 1619 and what came out of that should be at the very foundation of the corrective, anti-racist mission of curriculum correction and infusion mission of the Amistad,” said Zayid Muhammad, media advocate for the NAVC.

“If we can grabble with what went wrong with our past, how it went wrong, where it went wrong, and when it went wrong, we can lay the foundation for opening the dialogues and relationships to do things different and to do things better, free of racism, sexism and genocide,” Muhammad continued.

“I know educators who have participated in the Amistad Summer Institute who proudly swear by its strength and value,” he said. “Now is not the time to play politics with such a highly regarded project.”

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com