Race Amity Awards
Each year the Race Amity Initiative recognizes an organization and individual whose work and community service have contributed to building friendships and promoting justice and unity among different races and cultures in our community.
Mattie Martin
A few words from Mattie | "I came north to Connecticut at the age of 17. Moved to New Jersey after a few months. I worked in various jobs until I went to work for ACME. After the closing of ACME I said “Kings here I come”. After 23 years of devotion at Kings and 24 years with Montclair Parking enforcement, I decided to go back
home. Do not believe the rumors that I am being chased out of town for summoning too many parking tickets and protesting Kings for having me as an employee! Seriously, I have enjoyed my time at both places of employment, I made a lot of friends and have an enormous amount of memories. My co-workers are a special group of people, Kings customers are the greatest. Please keep in touch. Alabama is just a few miles away!"
We're not the only ones who love Mattie and her heart of gold! Read here in the Montclair Local about the farewell party thrown by her co-workers, friends, and community members!
Friends of Howe House
From the Friends of How House Website: "The Friends of the Howe House is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving the historic house of James Howe, a formerly enslaved man who was freed in 1817. As one of the oldest standing buildings owned by an African American, this house tells the story of freedom and
slavery, the importance of homeownership, the development of African American communities in the United States, and the role of African Americans in the growth of towns like Montclair, NJ. This house stands as a monument to African American history, serving as a gathering place for education, community, and honest reflection on the past, present, and future of African American experiences in New Jersey and across the nation."
Check out the Friends of Howe House website here!