06/13/2026
The stories of local free black families in Allentown and Upper Freehold are not often told but are an integral part of the fabric of our community. Join us on Saturday, June 20, 2026, for “Say Our Names – African American Families Emerging Our of Slavery to Freedom in Upper Freehold and Allentown, 1770’s – 1830’s.” The free program begins at 6:30 pm in Allentown Methodist Church, 23 Church Street in Allentown, NJ. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome. Please RSVP by emailing [email protected].
This program will help commemorate Juneteenth. In writing about the significance of Juneteenth, the National Museum of African American Culture and Life wrote: “Freedom for enslaved people in Texas was officially announced on June 19, 1865, by Union troops in Galveston Bay, leading to the celebration of ‘Juneteenth’." For more information, please see, https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth. The State of NJ designated Friday, June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth.
The program will be presented by public historian and Upper Freehold resident Sue Kozel, a retired university adjunct history professor whose teaching and research has focused on slavery, freedom, liberty, and unfreedom in New Jersey and nationally. She will share key statistics for enslavement and highlight the names of several Free Black families and individuals emerging out of slavery into freedom in Allentown and Upper Freehold. In her grant-funded research, Sue excavated African American names from various original historical documents.
TAVI’s Juneteenth program is part of TAVI250, a year-long series of events celebrating America’s 250th birthday, made possible by funding from Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners, as well as the support of First Commerce Bank and Fulton Bank. For program details, visit TAVI’s website at www.allentownvinj.org
