City of Jersey City
GLENN D. CUNNINGHAM
MAYOR
CITY HALL
JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302
TEL:(201) 547-5200
FAX:(201) 547-4288
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February 20, 2004
For Immediate Release
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Contact: Jennifer Morrill
Press Secretary
(201) 547-4943
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ADVISORY ADVISORY ADVISORY
"Jersey City's Premiere African-American Historian to
Speak at Black History Month Celebration"
Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham to Discuss Black History in
Jersey City from Dutch Colonial Period to the Present
JERSEY CITY - The City will hold its annual Black History Month ceremony at 6 p.m.
on Monday, February 23, 2004 in City Hall Council Chambers, 280 Grove Street, with
featured speaker Mayor Glenn D. Cunningham.
The ceremony, which highlights the contributions of African Americans to the history of
Jersey City as well as the country, will include speakers and musical presentations.
Refreshments will be served following the presentation.
The mayor, an avid historian and genealogist has devoted many years to documenting
African-American history in Jersey City, wrote "Hidden Footprints" a documentary about
the first African Americans in Jersey City through the period of the Underground
Railroad. The short story, which was adapted into a film documentary, also describes the
stops on the Underground Railroad in Jersey City.
The mayor, who will present awards to outstanding members of our community, is also
currently in the final stages of writing a novel on the subject.
The Fred Shuttlesworth Lifetime Achievement Award to Theodore Brunson, the
founder of the Afro American Museum, The Goodman, Schwerner & Chaney Award
to Judah Sommer of Goldman Sachs, for his commitment to bringing affordable housing
opportunities to the residents of Jersey City, The Fannie Lou Hamer Award to Virginia
Miller for outstanding work in her community, and The Harriet Tubman Award to
Lavern Webb-Washington for service to her community.
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