The General Assembly will celebrate Black History Month on Thursday with a diverse ceremony of music and tributes to community leaders.
The celebration is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 17, in the Assembly Chambers of the Statehouse.
The ceremony will open with Pastor Eric Butler of True Vine Christian Center in Fair Lawn delivering the invocation.
The Bungo’s Rhythms, a folkloric ensemble playing traditional West African music, will perform opening and closing numbers.
Kevin Maynor, a bass singer who has performed with many prolific opera companies, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the New York City Opera, will sing two selections – Balm in Gilead and an excerpt from Old Man River.
Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver will also present two ceremonial resolutions honoring Dr. Thelma C. Hurd, one of the first black teachers within the Elizabeth public school system, for her exemplary career in education spanning more than five decades. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a historically African American fraternity, will also be honored for its commitment to serving local and international communities for 100 years.