2011 AALI "Making a Mark" Black History Month Event

United Way of Greater Union County’s African American Leadership Initiative (AALI) hosted their signature “Making a Mark” Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 25th at Kean University’s STEM Building. AGL/Elizabethtown Gas and Atlantic Federal Credit Union served as the host sponsors. This year, the event successfully raised over $9,200 through ticket sales and sponsorship. Proceeds from the 2011 “Making a Mark” will be used towards programs and initiatives that advance the well being of African-Americans in Union County.

Over 80 patrons came out to network, support and indulge in great food. The evening’s program consisted of a screening of the short-film documentary Little Brother: When Things Fall Apart written and produced by Nicole Franklin and Jasmin Tigget. The film looked at black boys from Camden, NJ as young as nine years old, for a one-on-one conversation demystifying what society tends to rob them of: LOVE. After the screening, guests participated in a panel discussion with the film makers and the film consultant, Dr. Raymond Winbush, Director of the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University. To learn more about the film Little Brother, visit: http://littlebrotherfilm.wordpress.com/.

After a brief networking intermission, guests enjoyed inspirational presentations by  The New Jersey Orators (NJO) group. Samir Graves, age 10, recited the poem “What Happened  to the Dream,” Brianna Adams, age 12, presented the famous words of Sojourner Truth, “Ain’t  I a Woman,” and Khalid Briggs, age 17, presented a prose from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. titled “The Purpose of Education.” All three orators received standing ovations for their eloquent presentations. The New Jersey Orators, is a non-profit organization, designed for youth from 7-18 years of age to learn the art of public speaking and effective communication. To learn more about the NJO, visit: http://www.njorators.org/.

The annual “Making a Mark” event is designed to enhance awareness of AALI and gather community-minded individuals with the hopes of inspiring them to join the effort towards addressing community needs.  AALI’s mission is to mobilize the caring power of the African American community to improve African American lives in Union County.

Click here to view pictures from the 2011 AALI "Making a Mark" Black History Month event.