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Mayor's Message:
Love the Queen City
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Dear Jazz,
Everywhere we look in the Queen City – there is a love story that has existed and a new one that is just beginning.
In our treasured library, a child discovers a love for reading and will carry that love with them from the time they pick up their first picture book to the time they eagerly write their first novel. In one of our beautiful parks, someone has fond memories of walking with his four-legged best friend every day. In a sports field that’s been visited for generations, a young athlete attends her first practice and meets the teammates that will become her lifelong best friends. On our streets, traversed by immigrants from around the world, two people happen to walk the same route on the same day and meet the love of their life. In a classroom, a student eagerly makes a presentation about a subject that opens their mind to the possibilities and realizes that this is what they want to do with the rest of their life. In the dining rooms of many of the beautiful houses that line our streets, young families celebrate moving into their first home – the home they’ll grow old in.
All of these moments have happened in the Queen City and will continue to for as long as we exist. Everywhere, in every corner, love exists and is actively forming who we are and who we will be.
Let’s take care of our city as if it were someone we loved. Let’s work on our relationship with the community that lives its life alongside our own. The relationships, bonds, and experiences that we share in this city are some of the most cherished of our lives. We live and love here in the Queen City. Why not make sure it’s clean, become familiar with our neighbors, support the small businesses of people bold enough to make their dream come true, be there for those in our city that have not been told in a long time that they are loved, and support our students by working to improve the future they’ll live in? Why not love this city and the people in it?
The pink decorations, heart plushies, and bouquet of roses may have been put away - but love is still lingering in the air. On Tuesday, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. While Valentine’s Day is often focused on the romantic relationships we may be lucky enough to have in our lives, in Spanish Valentine’s Day is known as “El Día Del Amor y Amistad” or ‘The Day of Love and Friendship’. On this day we should celebrate all of the relationships in our lives that make it better. But whether it be our significant other, our parents, our children, our friends, or our community, every day is a day to cherish and be grateful for what and who we have in our lives.
On Tuesday, February 7th, a fire on East Front Street impacted eight (8) buildings and over fifteen (15) of our local small businesses. Opening a small business takes years of courage, hard work, determination, and often someone’s life savings. To see so much of that lost in one unfortunate night is heart shattering for the entrepreneurs that through their businesses provide so much for the people of Plainfield. While we are incredibly grateful that no lives were lost, we are deeply saddened that impacted business owners are now facing the difficult task of rebuilding.
That is why on Friday, February 17th at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) at 6:00PM, we are hosting a fundraiser to benefit the businesses impacted by the front street fire. All donations are welcomed, and we hope to see you there. Together, we will help our entrepreneurs re-open their doors and demonstrate what is possible when we #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield. Just as we have done after every tragedy we have faced, let’s rebuild the Queen and make her stronger than ever.
Friends and neighbors, I hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day. I hope you were reminded that you are indeed loved by many. And I hope you found new ways to appreciate and take care of our beloved city.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Mensaje Del Alcalde:
Ama La Ciudad Reina
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Queridx Jazz,
Dondequiera que miremos en la Ciudad Reina, hay una historia de amor que ha existido y una nueva que aún no ha comenzado.
En nuestra preciada biblioteca, un niño ha descubierto su amor por la lectura y llevará ese amor con el desde el momento en que recoge su primer libro ilustrado hasta el momento en que escribe ansiosamente su primera novela. En uno de nuestros hermosos parques, alguien tiene buenos recuerdos de caminar con su mejor amigo de cuatro patas todos los días. En un campo deportivo que ha sido visitado durante generaciones, un joven atleta asiste a su primera práctica y se reunirá por primera vez a los compañeros de equipo que se convertirán en sus mejores amigos de toda la vida. En nuestras calles caminadas por inmigrantes de todo el mundo, dos personas caminaron por la misma ruta el mismo día y conocieron al amor de su vida. En un clase, un estudiante ha presentado con entusiasmo sobre un tema que hizo que su mente se abriera con posibilidades y se dio cuenta de que esto es lo que quiere hacer con el resto de su vida. En los comedores de muchas de las hermosas casas que bordean nuestras calles, las familias jóvenes han celebrado mudarse a su primer hogar – el hogar en el que envejecerán.
Todas estas experiencias han sucedido en Plainfield y continuarán haciéndolo mientras existamos. En todas partes, en cada rincón, el amor existe y está formando activamente quiénes somos y quiénes seremos.
Cuidemos nuestra ciudad como si fuera alguien a quien amamos. Trabajemos en nuestra relación con la comunidad que vive su vida junto a la nuestra. Las relaciones, vínculos, y experiencias que compartimos en esta ciudad son algunas de las más apreciadas de nuestras vidas. Vivimos y amamos aquí en La Ciudad Reina. ¿Por qué no asegurarse de que esté limpia, familiarizarse con nuestros vecinos, apoyar a las pequeñas empresas de personas lo suficientemente valiente como para hacer realidad su sueño, estar ahí para aquellos en nuestra ciudad a quienes no se les ha dicho en mucho tiempo que son amados, y apoyar a nuestros estudiantes trabajando para mejorar el futuro en el que vivirán? ¿Por qué no amar esta ciudad y la gente en ella?
Las decoraciones rosadas, los peluches de corazón y el ramo de rosas pueden haber sido guardados, pero el amor aún persiste en el aire. El martes celebramos el Día de San Valentín. Mientras que el Día de San Valentín a menudo se centra en las relaciones románticas que podemos tener la suerte de tener en nuestras vidas, en español el Día de San Valentín se conoce como "El Día del Amor y Amistad”. En este día debemos celebrar todas las relaciones en nuestras vidas que la hacen mejor. Pero ya sea que se trate de nuestros seres queridos, nuestros padres, nuestros hijos, nuestros amigos o nuestra comunidad, cada día es un día para apreciar y estar agradecidos por lo que tenemos en nuestras vidas.
El martes 7 de febrero, un incendio en East Front Street afectó a ocho (8) edificios y más de quince (15) de nuestros pequeños negocios locales. Abrir un pequeño negocio requiere años de coraje, trabajo duro, determinación y, aveces todos los ahorros de alguien. Ver tanto de eso perdido en una desafortunada noche es desgarrador para los empresarios que a través de sus negocios ofrecen tanto para la gente de Plainfield. Mientras que estamos increíblemente agradecidos de que no se hayan perdido vidas, nos entristece profundamente que los dueños de negocios afectados ahora enfrenten la difícil tarea de reconstruir.
Es por eso que el viernes 17 de febrero en el Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) a las 6:00 PM, estamos organizando una recaudación de fondos para beneficiar a los negocios afectados por el incendio de la front. Todas las donaciones son bienvenidas y esperamos verte allí. Juntos, ayudaremos a nuestros empresarios a reabrir sus puertas y demostrar lo que es posible cuando ponemos #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield en acción. Tal como lo hemos hecho después de cada tragedia que hemos enfrentado, reconstruyamos a la Ciudad Reina y hagámosla más fuerte que nunca.
Amigos y vecinos, espero que hayan disfrutado de su Día de San Valentín. Espero que hayas recordado que eres amado por muchos. Y espero que hayan encontrado nuevas formas de apreciar y cuidar nuestra querida ciudad.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Plainfield Fundraiser For Businesses Impacted By
Front Street Fire
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Black History Month Spotlight:
Marsha P. Johnson
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The trailblazing Marsha P. Johnson was born proudly Black and unapologetically transgender. One of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City, Johnson saw the injustices occurring to her community and stepped up as an advocate and activist. Johnson worked on the topics of homeless LGBTQ+ youth, awareness around H.I.V. and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights. Despite living in New York City during the majority of her advocacy work, Marsha was born right here in Union County in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1945. Facing intense bullying for showing up to school in dresses, she moved to New York City after graduating high school with just one bag of clothes and $15.
On June 28, 1969, police raided The Stonewall Inn, a bar where mostly gay men were customers, and began aggressively arresting them creating a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents. This became known as the Stonewall Riots and served as the catalyst for the gay rights movement. Marsha P. Johnson was on the frontlines of the resistance against the abuse of power and led a series of protests against anti-LGBTQ+ hate and violence. But even within her community, Johnson felt excluded.
Johnson actively spoke out about transphobia and racism in the early gay rights movement. After witnessing the exclusion of people of color from the first pride parade, she famously said, “as long as gay people don’t have their rights all across America… there is no reason for celebration.” We lost Marsha tragically in 1992 when she was just 46 years old under mysterious circumstances. Although the work of Marsha and the many brave people like her pushed LGBTQ+ rights forward, there are still disparities when it comes to the treatment and experiences of Black LGBTQ+ individuals.
Out of the over 11.3 million LGBT adults that live in the United States, 12% identify as Black. Over one-quarter of Black LGBT adults have been diagnosed with depression - 9% higher than non-LGBT Black adults. This is alarming considering Black Americans are already 1.6 times more likely to suffer from depression than white Americans. Black LGBT adults are also more likely to be diagnosed with several serious health conditions, including asthma, heart attacks, and cancer. Black trans women like Marsha are particularly vulnerable. The previous presidential administration made it easier for healthcare professionals and insurance companies to deny care to transgender people, making it harder for them to find treatment during a pandemic.
We learned many lessons from the Black Lives Matter Movement in 2020 - one of them being that we must protect Black LGBTQ+ lives. There are many things we can do, such as supporting charities that work to protect LGBTQ+ Black youth and lobbying our government officials to pass legislation that will protect the lives and rights of LGBTQ+ people. Marsha's message must ring clear: No one deserves to be treated differently because of who they love or who they are.
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"Sick and Tired"
The Fannie Lou Hamer Story
Saturday, February 11, 2023
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On Saturday, February 11th, 2023, “Sick and Tired: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story" was presented at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center. The award-winning production - written and performed by Diane L. Parker - took the audience to a church in Mississippi as Fannie Lou Hamer described her interactions with the KKK and how she became one of the most important figures in the civil right movement.
This event was done in commemoration of Black History Month as Plainfield continues its mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The P-PAC was full of excited spectators including Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, City Council President Charles McRae, Councilwoman Terri Briggs-Jones, and Councilman Robert Graham among other city officials.
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Frontiers International
Black History Month Lecture
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The Frontiers International Plainfield Area Club presents their Westry Horne Cultural and Heritage Series Lecture “Frederick Douglass: His Place in History” with Professor James Small on Saturday, February 18, 2023 @ 2:00 – 5:00 PM. This event will be broadcast Live on YouTube and Facebook @PlainfieldFrontiersClub. There will be a Q&A.
Professor James Small is a scholar activist, dynamic speaker, organizational consultant. He is also CEO of Sanaa Lodge Enterprise, Ghana, Ltd.; CEO & President, African American Management Company, Ghana, Ltd.; International Vice President, Organization of Afro-American Unity (O.A.A.U.); Priest of Oya, Babalorisha, Ifa Tradition; and past President of the Eastern Region of the Association for the study of Classical African Civilization (ASCAC).
Prof. James Small has been an activist since his teenage years. His in-depth knowledge, thought-provoking and calm delivery are influential elements to break the programming of miseducation. He studied extensively with Dr. John Henrik Clarke, Dr. Yosef A. A. ben Jochannan, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Dr. Ivan Van Sertima, Dr. Asa Hilliard, Dr. Wade Nobles, to name a few.
Prof. James Small has traveled extensively lecturing at churches, conventions, seminars, workshops, colleges, and universities, throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe. His informative, eye-opening and dynamic presentations have caused him to be recognized as one of the most distinguished activist scholars of our time.
The Westry Horne Cultural and Heritage Series is partially funded by a grant from the Plainfield Cultural and Heritage Commission.
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Are you eligible for property tax relief? If you:
- Owned or rented your home on 10/1/19
- Meet income requirements
- File or are exempt from NJ income taxes
You may qualify for an ANCHOR benefit. Learn more: bit.ly/NJANCHOR
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The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) Fellowship Program
and the
Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) Fellowship Program
(Click on Images for More Information)
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The Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) and Advancing Hispanics & Latinos (AHL) Fellowship Programs are six-week, paid, full-time programs designed to introduce college students from all backgrounds — including Black, Hispanic and Latino — to the financial industry and help build a pathway to future career opportunities.
The deadline is March 10th.
Applications can be found by clicking on the images.
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Do You Know What's Happening in your City?
Click the Image below and take a look at Plainfield's Latest City Events, Community Resources, and so much more!
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Check out our City's Commercial:
"Welcome to Plainfield"
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¿ How Do You Show Love for Plainfield? | |
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Watch our 2022 Love Plainfield Commercial!
" The Queen City is Love"
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2022 Fall Newsletter
"Where We Were. Where We Are. Where We're Going."
Click the image to read it virtually!
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A MESSAGE FROM
UNION COUNTY:
Diversity and Inclusion Job Fair for Union County Residents, Feb. 22
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Job seekers in Union County are invited to attend the upcoming Diversity and Inclusion Job Fair in honor of Black History Month beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22 at the Plainfield Public Library, 800 Park Avenue in Plainfield. Leading employers in Union County will be participating, including Wakefern, RWJ Trinitas and more.
The event is a partnership between the Union County Board of County Commissioners, the Plainfield Public Library, the Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and the American Job Center.
“By reaching out to our business community during Black History Month with the Diversity and Inclusion Job Fair, we hope to break down some of the barriers to employment and create new opportunities for our residents to reach their full potential,” said Union County Commissioner Board Sergio Granados, who is Commissioner Board Liaison to the Union County Workforce Development Board.
Attendance is free of charge but pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/job-fair.
Attendees should dress for interviews and bring their resume.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
During Black History Month, Governor Murphy Announces Expansion of AP African American Studies in New Jersey
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NEWARK – Governor Phil Murphy today announced the expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies classes in New Jersey during a visit to Science Park High School with Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka during Black History Month. The AP African American Studies class, which is currently in its first stage of a two-year pilot program across the country, will be taught in 26 New Jersey high schools during the 2023-2024 academic year. Currently, the class is offered in one New Jersey school out of 60 nationwide. Today’s announcement underscores the Governor’s commitment to leading the nation in public education while promoting access to educational opportunities that offer students a strong foundation for future success.
Governor Murphy and Mayor Baraka were also joined by the Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and the Superintendent of Newark Public Schools Roger León while visiting an African American History class taught by Mr. Alnazir Blackman, who will teach AP African American Studies at Science Park High School in the next academic year.
“The expansion of AP African American Studies in New Jersey will grant our students the opportunity to learn about the innumerable ways in which Black Americans have shaped and strengthened our country,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As governors like Florida’s Ron DeSantis prioritize political culture wars ahead of academic success, New Jersey will proudly teach our kids that Black History is American History. While the DeSantis Administration stated that AP African American Studies ‘significantly lacks educational value’, New Jersey will stand on the side of teaching our full history. We will set an example for the nation by demonstrating to our future leaders that our country is the greatest in the world because it is a work in progress, a promise, and an ideal we strive to achieve.”
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE:
President Biden Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Across the Federal Government
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On his first day in office, President Biden signed Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. That Order emphasized the enormous human costs of systemic racism and persistent poverty, and provided a powerful and unprecedented mandate for all federal agencies to launch a whole-of-government approach to equity. Over the past two years, agencies have taken historic steps toward ensuring that federal programs are serving the American people in an equitable and just manner and supporting communities that have been locked out of opportunity. Through the implementation of landmark legislation and historic executive action, the Biden-Harris Administration is working to make real the promise of America for everyone—including rural communities, communities of color, Tribal communities, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, women and girls, and communities impacted by persistent poverty.
Despite the meaningful progress that the Biden-Harris Administration has made, the reality is that underserved communities—many of whom have endured generations of discrimination and disinvestment—still confront unacceptable barriers to equal opportunity and the American Dream. It is imperative that we reject the narrow, cramped view of American opportunity as a zero-sum game. When any segment of society is denied the full promise of America, our entire Nation is held back. But when we lift each other up, we are all lifted up. As the President has said: “Advancing equity is not a one-year project. It’s a generational commitment.”
To strengthen the federal government’s ability to address the barriers that underserved communities continue to face, today, President Biden signed a new Executive Order, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government. This second Order reaffirms the Administration’s commitment to deliver equity and build an America in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department to be resolved.
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay informed on the latest projects, and events around our Queen City!
Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future. | | | | |
