Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice

09/04/2026

Save the date for the 2026 History Book Festival. The Saturday schedule is available on our website so you can plan your day. Click to read more about the books and authors presented in partnership with Delaware Historical Society and the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ)

We are a proud Community Partner of the 2026 History Book Festival.

The History Book Festival is the only book festival dedicated to history through story, showcasing new historical fiction and narrative nonfiction from multiple subjects, eras, and voices.

09/04/2026

For a decade, the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) has turned a single book club into one of Sussex County’s most active racial-equity organizations — and the newest issue of its quarterly magazine, Black Voices Vol. 20, celebrates that milestone. Click to read it and please share!

In this issue:

- Still Rooted, Still Rising
- The Vision That Started It All
- SDARJ – The First Ten Years
- Town Halls – Key to SDARJ’s Beginnings
- SDARJ Book & Film Discussions
- John Dickerson Plantation
- Justice, In Their Own Words
- Events and Excursions Committee
- Dialogue Toward Ending Racism
- “A Darker Perspective”: The Power of Representation
- Addressing Injustices in the Criminal/Legal System
- Conversations That Change Communities

A hard copy of the newsletter is distributed as an insert for Cape Gazette subscribers.

Celebrating 10 Years: SDARJ Marking a Decade of Achievement

09/02/2026

On this day in 1904, George Coleman Poage made history at the St. Louis Olympics, becoming the first Black American to win an Olympic medal.

Poage earned bronze in the 400-meter hurdles and later took another bronze in the 200-meter hurdles, leaving the Games with two Olympic medals.

09/01/2026

Ten years ago, a group of committed community members came together in Southern Delaware with a shared belief: that racism could be named, confronted, and ended — and that building a strong, organized community was the way to do it. That belief became the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice.

This September 1, as we celebrate our 10th Anniversary, we are proud to launch the most significant upgrade to SDARJ membership in our history: Forward Together. Visit our website to learn more!

Forward Together is SDARJ's 10th Anniversary membership campaign with a bold goal — 500 members and counting.

08/25/2026

Indivisible has offered SDARJ 10 free tickets on their bus see details below. Reserve your free ticket!

Marching to Defend the Vote
On Friday, August 28, Americans from across the country will gather at the Lincoln Memorial for “March on Washington 2026: Defend the Vote.” The date marks the 63rd anniversary of the historic 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” address.

Led by the National Action Network in partnership with Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King and a broad coalition of civil-rights, faith, labor and community organizations, the march is intended to be more than a commemoration. It is a call to action at a moment when voting rights and democratic participation face renewed threats.

Organizers hope the march will build public pressure to protect voting access, fair representation and the safeguards of the Voting Rights Act. The coalition is also calling attention to attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, along with the continuing need for fair wages, affordable housing, equal opportunity and economic justice.

Click to read more and register.

08/25/2026

Registration has opened up again so it's your last chance to register before tonight's Joint Mixer hosted by Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce and SDARJ.

An evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and new connections between Black business leaders and advocates.

08/18/2026

An evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and new connections between Black business leaders and advocates.

Join the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC) and the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ) for an evening of networking, collaboration, and community at our Joint Business Mixer!

Connect with business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders from across Delaware while expanding your network in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're looking to build new relationships, explore partnership opportunities, or simply engage with fellow professionals, this mixer is the perfect opportunity to make meaningful connections.

Enjoy great conversation, support a local business, and grow your network with like-minded individuals dedicated to strengthening Delaware's business community.

An evening of networking, meaningful conversations, and new connections between Black business leaders and advocates.

08/06/2026

Join us August 25th for the discussion of "Is That Black Enough for You?" Directed by Elvis Mitchell.

First we'll show the film at the at the Cinema Art Theater. The showing will be FREE. There are 38 seats available on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 3:15 pm; film starts at 3:30 pm. Discussion will take place afterwards at Lewes Library in the Computer Room; sign up for discussion at Lewes Library site as usual.

A 2022 documentary directed by Elvis Mitchell that examines the history, craft, and legacy of African-American cinema, with a particular focus on the revolutionary era of the 1970s.

Read more, watch the trailer, and register: https://sdarj.org/event/august-book-film-discussion-the-film-is-that-black-enough-for-you-directed-by-elvis-mitchell/

A 2022 documentary directed by Elvis Mitchell that examines the history, craft, and legacy of African-American cinema, with a particular focus on the revolutionary era of the 1970s.

08/03/2026

In February 2024, two Millville firefighters, members of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company, chased a Black colleague while brandishing a rope tied into a noose. Delaware State Police recognized the act for what it was and charged Jay Droney and Jordan Hastings with felony hate crimes. This month, more than two years later, those cases finally closed — and the outcome should give our community pause.

Droney was sentenced to one year of Level 3 probation on each of two counts of harassment, along with community service, and ordered to have no contact with the victim or the fire company. Hastings’ case ended earlier with a guilty plea to third-degree conspiracy and harassment. Neither man served a day in jail. Felony hate-crime charges gave way to harassment convictions and probation.

Some actions were taken. Both men lost their memberships within a day of the internal investigation, and the response of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company was exemplary. It overhauled its policies, added anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training, and gave its board greater authority to act swiftly on serious misconduct — reforms SDARJ supported at a community town hall we hosted, where department representatives came to explain their zero-tolerance policy to the public. Accountability of a kind did arrive.

Continue reading on our website >>

Two former Millville firefighters charged with felony hate crimes walk away with probation. True Justice, or a Slap on the Wrist?