A week-long program of “community, faith, hope and history” will celebrate the Witherspoon-Jackson community, black history, and black families of Princeton from August 6-14.

In recognition of the recent designation of the Witherspoon-Jackson community as Princeton’s 20th historic district, the annual Joint Effort Safe Streets Summer Program will include recognition of Paul Robeson and Jim Floyd, a salute to educators (“We Must Not Be Forgotten”), a concert with Grace Little and a local church choir, a salute to seniors and black families (“The Shoulders We Stand On”), discussion forums, workout and conditioning sessions, a block party/music festival, walking tours, and a clean-up project. 

The celebrations will culminate on Sunday August 14 with the Joint Effort-Princeton Pete Young Sr. Memorial Safe Streets Basketball Games at the Community Park basketball courts, organized by John Bailey, who will be making his annual return to his old hometown from Denver for the occasion.

Other venues for the events include the Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton Shopping Center, Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, Paul Robeson House, First Baptist Church, and the Hank Pannell Center on Clay Street.

“It’s important that African Americans be recognized as a rock in the Princeton community,” said Shirley Satterfield, director of the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society. “We’ve been butlers, bartenders, maids, and educators. African Americans have cared for the people of Princeton through years of segregation and Jim Crow — and we have survived. We take care of everybody.”

In April the Princeton Town Council, after many hours of public hearings and debate, unanimously passed an ordinance to create the Witherspoon-Jackson Historic Preservation District. African Americans have been a presence in Princeton since the late 17th century. By the 1700s free colored residents, descendants of slaves, worked in labor and service positions, and through the years were mostly relegated to the
neighborhood that was referred to as the Witherspoon-Jackson community.

“The recognition of the history of Black people in Princeton and this historic designation are a significant part of not only Witherspoon-Jackson community history, but also Princeton history and American history,” Ms. Satterfield added. “This is a great opportunity for all of us in Princeton to learn, grow, and be proud of our diverse background and heritage. I’m excited to have the interest of the community and to have Joint Effort partner with the Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society for this historic recognition and celebration of the Witherspoon-Jackson community.”

For more information on the Joint Effort Princeton Safe Streets Program or the Salute to the Witherspoon-Jackson Community, call John Bailey at (720) 629-0964 or Shirley Satterfield at (609) 924-2010.