By Donald Gilpin

Following up on an action-packed opening week of discussions, reflections, celebrations, and recognitions, Joint Effort Safe Streets will wrap up its 2023 program with an array of Jim Floyd and Romus Broadway Day events on Wednesday, August 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Arts Council of Princeton (ACP); Paul Bustill Robeson Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with discussion of several hot topics and a candidate forum at the First Baptist Church of Princeton; a Community Block Festival at the YMCA Field on Saturday afternoon; and basketball for all ages on the Community Park basketball courts, with a clinic on Saturday morning and games throughout the day on Pete Young Sr. Day on Sunday, August 13.

“It’s been thought-provoking and inspiring, and the ancestors are telling me I’m moving in the right direction,” said Safe Streets Founder and Event Coordinator John Bailey as he reflected on the opening weekend and looked ahead to upcoming events.

Expanding on the theme of “Reflections on Princeton’s Black Community — Growing Up in the Witherspoon-Jackson Community,” the August 9 evening gathering at the ACP will branch out from “I remember when…,” with discussion and reflection from a variety of men and women who grew up in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood including Grace Kimbrough, Sharon Campbell, Evelyn Turner Counts, Shirley Satterfield, Leighton Newlin, Joyce Gillette Johnson, Earl McQueen, Peter Young Jr., and John Thompson.

Other highlights of Wednesday’s ACP event include the Cynthia “Chip” Fisher Memorial Art Exhibit with art by Aaron Fisher and Onome Olotu, community recognition of the Broadway family, a presentation to the ACP, and Joint Effort book scholarships presented to 12 local students.

Saturday morning’s Robeson Day community discussion will focus on affordable housing, the design for Witherspoon Street, cannabis, open space and the Emerald Necklace project, climate change, public safety, social equity, education, and more.

Princeton Mayor Mark Freda, architect Josh Zinder, Councilwoman Eve Niedergang, Councilman David Cohen, Princeton Police Chief Jon Buccherre, and Princeton Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Tew will lead the discussions.

The candidate forum on Saturday will feature political leaders and Princeton and Mercer County candidates who will be on the ballot this November, including the five candidates for three open spots on the Princeton Board of Education.

Saturday’s Community Block Festival, with food, fun, and entertainment at the YMCA field from 1 to 7 p.m., will feature the Grace Little Band at 4 p.m., preceded by DJ Darius at 1 p.m., Jennifer Bell at 2:30 p.m., and Dennis Rodgers at 3 p.m.

For further details and information about Joint Effort Safe Streets, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org/safestreets.