South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

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South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race

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Our mission is to build and sustain a community that is racially, culturally and socially integrated

We are a nationally recognized non-profit organization committed to building a suburban community in which people of different races and ethnicities live together, interact, form friendships, and participate fully in the community's economic, political, civic, and cultural life.

11/05/2026

Help us spread light across South Orange and Maplewood!🕯️

We’re gearing up for one of SOMA’s most meaningful January traditions: the Community Coalition on Race’s annual MLK Luminary Project. Each year as the sun sets on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, thousands of luminaries glow outside homes and businesses across our towns – a powerful expression of peace and solidarity in honor of Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community.

The secret to making this tradition truly community-wide? Our team of Luminary Captains!

Being a captain is simple and high-impact:

📦 We deliver a weatherproof bin filled with luminary kits right to your porch (each kit includes 4 bags and tea lights for a suggested $10 donation).
📱 You let your neighbors know via text, email or social media that kits are available at your house with contactless QR code payment.
✨ Your block lights up in solidarity on MLK Day!

Be the person who brings your street together. Sign up today by emailing [email protected] or visit https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/the_mlk_luminary_project

11/03/2026

It’s Election Day! The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race encourages you to get out and vote. Remember: your vote = your voice!

Find the polling location closest to you here: https://voter.svrs.nj.gov/polling-place-search

10/29/2026

Election Day is next week, and your vote is your voice in shaping the future of our community!

As we prepare for the upcoming General Election, the South Orange-Maplewood Community Coalition on Race wants to ensure every eligible neighbor has the tools and information needed to participate.

Here are the key ways you can cast your ballot:

✅Vote early: Take advantage of designated in-person early voting sites through 11/1 in Essex County. Visit EssexClerk.com to find a location closest to you.

📫Vote by mail: Apply and pick up a mail-in ballot in person through 11/2. Return options include mail, secure drop box or direct delivery to the Board of Elections.

🗳️Vote on Election Day: Cast your ballot at your designated neighborhood polling location.

For local updates, polling place lookup tools and early voting center details, visit our page of resources: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/boe_candidates_forum_2026

10/28/2026

We had so much fun connecting with neighbors at South Orange Community Day last month!

Thank you for stopping by our booth to chat about the Coalition, share your thoughts and learn how we can work together to build an inclusive, equitable community.

A big thank you to the organizers, local leadership and all the participants who made the day so lively!

Missed us at the event? It’s never too late to connect! Learn more about our upcoming programs or how to get involved at CommunityCoalitionOnRace.org.

10/27/2026

Real community change starts with education and honest conversation.

There’s still time to register for the first of our four-part Deconstructing Racism Workshop Series starting this Thursday, 10/29 at 7 PM on Zoom!

This collaborative series offers space to examine systemic racism in America, address recent challenges to historical truth and develop meaningful strategies for advancing racial justice and civic engagement.

Mark your calendar for the remaining Zoom sessions:

📅Thursday, 11/5 at 7 PM
📅Friday, 11/13 at 7 PM
📅Friday, 11/20 at 7 PM

RSVP here to secure your spot: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/deconstructing_racism_workshop_series_2026

10/26/2026

Intentional integration and racial equity don't happen by chance – they’re built through dedicated leadership, strategic action and community trust.

If you share our vision of a vibrant, equitable SOMA where people of all racial and cultural backgrounds flourish, consider serving on the Coalition on Race’s Board of Trustees.

Board members serve as key ambassadors for our mission, providing governance, shaping vital community initiatives and helping to break down structural barriers across our towns. It’s an invaluable opportunity to lend your skills, learn alongside fellow advocates and make a positive impact close to home.

Learn more and apply here: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/join_the_board_of_trustees

10/22/2026

What an unforgettable evening at our sold-out annual Celebrating Integration Gala!

The Orange Lawn Tennis Club was filled with community members, local advocates and partners coming together to celebrate racial equity and support the Coalition’s ongoing work.

Some of our favorite moments:
💙Honorees Marcia Hicks and Sarah Lester delivered deeply moving acceptance speeches, reminding us of the powerful impact dedicated leadership has on our schools, libraries and broader community.
🧡The Essex Funk Collective brought the beat and kept the floor alive, while the team at Orange Lawn Tennis Club served up a fantastic meal for everyone.
💚 We were especially thrilled to see familiar faces and former colleagues, including Audrey Rowe, our long-time program director, who retired in 2024!

Most importantly, this event raised vital funds to sustain our integration programs, educational forums and community advocacy. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, sponsored a table, participated in the auction or donated!

Swipe through for a look at the celebration!

10/21/2026

Making a plan to vote ensures your voice is heard!💬

Whether you prefer to vote early, by mail or in person, there are several accessible ways to participate in this election:

✅Vote early: Take advantage of designated in-person early voting sites through 11/1 in Essex County. Visit EssexClerk.com to find a location closest to you.

📫Vote by mail: Mail-in ballot applications must be received by 10/27 (or 11/2 if you’re picking it up in person) to receive your ballot. Return options include mail, secure drop box or direct delivery to the Board of Elections.

🗳️Vote on Election Day: Cast your ballot at your designated neighborhood polling location.

To find your designated polling location or check ballot drop box addresses in your town, look up your details on the NJ Polling Place Search Tool or consult your local municipal clerk. Or, visit our page of voter resources: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/boe_candidates_forum_2026

10/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who recently joined us for our annual Board of Education Candidates’ Night! 🗳️

Hosted by our Schools Committee, this forum brought together 50+ neighbors in person, along with many more who tuned in online, for an important conversation about the future of South Orange and Maplewood schools.

We heard directly from the four candidates running for the three open BOE seats about their visions for academic excellence, commitment to equity for all SOMA students, and strategies for fostering integrated schools and classrooms.

An informed community is essential to building equitable schools. If you missed the live forum or want to rewatch the discussion before casting your vote, you can catch the full recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwov-HTK9Y

10/19/2026

Understanding systemic racism is the first step toward dismantling it.

Join us for our upcoming four-part Deconstructing Racism workshop series starting Thursday, 10/29 at 7 PM via Zoom.

Together, we’ll explore the systemic roots of racism in America, examine current efforts to distort or erase our shared history, and discuss actionable strategies each of us can take to advance racial equity and strengthen our democracy.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding, engage in honest dialogue or build tools for advocacy, this series offers a collaborative space for growth.

RSVP today to secure your spot: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/deconstructing_racism_workshop_series_2026

Address

516 Prospect Street
Maplewood, NJ
07040

Telephone

+19737616116

Website

http://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/

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