SOMERVILLE, NJ – The Downtown Somerville Alliance will unveil a 75-foot Black History Month walk-through exhibit on Division Street next week.
The exhibit – a tribute to Black Innovation – will be on display through March 5th.
“Black history is American history,” said Natalie Pineiro, executive director of the DSA. “In a town as diverse as Somerville, it’s only fitting that we celebrate the rich contributions of Black America on such a grand scale.”
The 2021 Black History installation pays homage to important figures in history including African American inventors, abolitionists, leaders and scholars; but more importantly it recognizes those who, on a local scale, have made an impact on the community.
“We’re proud to highlight our black-owned businesses as well as our local leaders, activists and trailblazers who have made Somerville, and moreover Somerset County, the place it is today,” Pineiro added.
This is the first-ever large-scale celebration of Black History in the District. The outdoor exhibit consists of a series of mounted panels, spanning 75-feet in length, that create a walkable “tunnel”. The exhibit features lighting on the interior walls that make the project enjoyable during both the day and night-time hours, according to the head of the downtown District Management Corporation.
The creative placemaking project comes on the heels of the DSA’s recently adopted strategic plan that includes diversity and inclusion as a top priority for the organization.
In 2019, the DSA sponsored the first-ever Hispanic Heritage Celebration in downtown Somerville, and in 2020 – despite COVID 19 – the DSA celebrated PRIDE Month with a virtual celebration in connection with the Robert Wood Johnson Univesity Hospital/Somerset Babs Siperstien PROUD Center. The celebration also included rainbow flags, the visual representation of PRIDE, throughout the Main Street district.
“We look forward to continuing to recognize and celebrate the tapestry of cultures and ethnicities that make up our community and will be making greater strides to highlight diversity in the near future,” Pineiro said.
The Downtown Somerville Alliance is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. They are the District Management Corporation for downtown Somerville, NJ – one of New Jersey’s premiere downtown districts. They have become known for their colorful dining scene, flourishing retail, and up-and-coming arts and culture scene.
The DSA promotes balanced and progressive economic development and leverages the art of creating experiences that continue to bring a new and diverse population to Somerville. The DSA oversees infrastructure and beautification projects and works with historians and environmentalists alike to maintain and promote the historic charm that is unique to the district.
Further information is available online – DowntownSomerville.com or follow them on social media @DowntownSomerville (Instagram) and @DowntownSomervilleAlliance (Facebook).
The Downtown Somerville Alliance is a TAPinto marketing partner
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