SEMI-PERMANENT EXHIBITS:

• The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street: Learn more about slavery in New Jersey and Black soldiers of the American Revolution. Explore revolutionary stories and ideals with “Liberty & Legacy,” a bilingual, self-guided tour of the American art galleries.
• New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place: Learn more about Cudjo Banquante’s life through records and artifacts held at the Society. The exhibit will be available starting on April 30 through September.
• Greater Newark Conservancy, 32 Prince Street: See a special display of plants of the 18th-19th century that Cudjo Banquante might have sold, on the beautiful conservancy grounds that offer an oasis of natural beauty right in Newark.

Showing of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s documentary, “Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution,” at the Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street. From the initial sparks of revolution in Boston to the climactic Siege of Yorktown and beyond, this film paints a comprehensive picture of the African American experience during the Revolutionary War and shares the story of the war within the revolution through the eyes of some of the most crucial and significant African American figures of our country’s founding. Free and open to the public.

Family-friendly adinkra-making workshop with retired art teacher Alicia Robinson at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place. Adinkra are visual symbols that represent concepts and proverbs, offering a concise way to convey deep truths in visual form. They originate from the people of Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, and have come to represent the richness of Akan culture in particular and African culture in general. They are now globally recognized for their profound cultural significance, gracing logos, clothing, furniture, architecture, and more. At this workshop, learn about adinkra and their stories and make your own to take home. Free and open to the public.

“Cudjo Banquante: Celebrating Newark’s Revolutionary Hero”
A day of music, art, and history honoring Cudjo Banquante, with an original musical performance by MacArthur Award-winning composer Courtney Bryan. With Joshua Stewart (tenor voice) and Damian Norfleet (baritone voice). Featuring the debut of “Heat of the Battle,” John Phillip Osborne’s painting of Banquante at the Battle of Monmouth, on long-term view at the Museum. The event is open to the public and free with Museum admission but registration is required. More details and registration info can be found at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cudjo-banquante-celebrating-newarks-revolutionary-hero-registration-1309078572249

Genealogy workshop at the Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street. Every family has interesting stories, and learning about the lives, contributions, challenges, and sacrifices of your ancestors opens a window to learn about yourself. Genealogists will guide attendees through sources and tools to research their family ancestry. Free and open to the public.

Showing and discussion at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place, of the NJ PBS film “The Price of Silence: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey’s Enslaved People.” This film fills a gap in Garden State history by sharing the little-known legacy of slavery across New Jersey. There will also be an opening reception for the Society’s special exhibit about Cudjo Banquante starting at 5:00 PM, and the movie will start at 5:45 PM. Free and open to the public.

Panel discussion on “Rise Up Newark: The 1967 Rebellion” at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 W. Market Street. Join noted scholars Vickie Donaldson, Richard Roper, and Junius Williams to discuss the causes and impacts of one of the most significant events in Newark’s history. Ms. Donaldson is the Social Services Director of Homeless Programs for the City of Newark. Mr. Roper is a public policy consultant and former director of the Planning Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Williams is a nationally recognized attorney, musician, and educator who has been at the forefront of American civil rights and human rights movements. Free and open to the public.

“Revolution to Reparations,” sponsored by Rutgers University Newark and the Newark History Society. Panels comprised of noted scholars and activists will discuss African-American History in Newark. Day One of the symposium (May 1) will be held at Express Newark, 54 Halsey Street. Day Two (May 2) will be held at the Paul Robeson Campus Center, Essex Room, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Register at https://forms.gle/2fkQNQsqc7vDMkyB7

Tours of Cudjo Banquante-related sites and other notable Black history locations in Newark, starting and ending at the Greater Newark Conservancy. Free and open to the public, registration is required. More information and registration HERE.

Ceremony to unveil a historic marker in honor of Cudjo Banquante at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), 1 Center Street. Afterwards, stay and enjoy authentic African drumming and dancing and mingle with Black Revolutionary soldier Noah Lewis and Revolutionary soldier reenactors from the 3rd NJ Regiment at Chambers Plaza of NJPAC (indoors if bad weather). Registration will be required for the indoor portion of the ceremony.

Jazz Vespers at Bethany Baptist Church, 275 W. Market Street, combining jazz music with worship. A special discussion with musical examples demonstrating the influence of African music on American gospel and jazz by Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies, will begin at 4:00 PM. At 6:00 PM there will be a performance by GRAMMY®-winning pianist Arturo O’Farrill. Free and open to the public. https://www.njpac.org/event/arturo-ofarrill-bethany-jazz-vespers/

Join (or just listen and watch) a public workshop dedicated to the art of West African drumming and dancing. Learn about the relationship between music and dance, and how the shared and syncopated rhythm is a common language. In this workshop, you’ll experience first hand the joy and vitality of rhythms rooted in Africa. Targeted to take place at Military Park, we will announce an outdoor location in downtown Newark very soon. In the event of inclement weather, the workshop will be held indoors at the New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Place.

Attend the regular weekly Sunday service at one of the churches where Cudjo Banquante worshipped. The congregations have been in continuous operation ever since, and in fact both buildings are the same buildings where Cudjo Banquante walked. This is your opportunity to give thanks to Cudjo Banquante and all those who suffered and sacrificed to give us our freedoms and independence during the American Revolution and in many struggles since. Free and open to the public.

He first worshipped at the Old First Presbyterian Church at 820 Broad Street. The building dates from 1791. Attend the weekly Sunday service there at 11:00 AM.

Late in life Cudjo Banquante worshipped at Trinity Episcopal Church at 608 Broad Street. He was buried by this church’s pastor in their burying yard. The building dates from 1806. Attend the weekly Sunday service there at 10:00 AM.

Performance by Trilogy, Newark-based opera company, to honor Cudjo Banquante. For more information and to buy tickets, see the Trilogy website HERE.(www.trilogyaoc.com)

Enrichment activities at local public and charter schools, jointly developed with the Amistad Commission. Curriculum components for grades 4-12 will be launched in time for the 2025-2026 school year.

Questions about the program can be addressed to cudjobanquante@gmail.com