杏吧原创

July 14, 2023

The African American and Colombian history of Englewood, N.J. is one step closer to becoming more accessible and memorialized, thanks to a grant awarded to Dr. David Colman, associate professor of African American History at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The awarded Colman $15,000 for the project, which is one of only three awards in Bergen County and 22 in the state to receive funding.聽

The project 鈥淓nglewood Makes History鈥� is a community-based initiative to collect and digitize archival materials related to the vibrant history of the City of Englewood. The project will pay particular attention to collecting documents and items related to the history of race, ethnicity, and class in the City and to Englewood鈥檚 historic 4th ward, an African American neighborhood once known as 鈥淟ittle Texas鈥� and the 3rd ward鈥檚 diverse immigrant communities, in particular its historic Colombian neighborhood.聽

Students from Janis E. Dismus Middle School in Englewood and Ramapo College will enjoy hands-on learning with Colman on the archival project. 鈥淭he partnership will help students better understand the history of New Jersey, develop a deep understanding of the history and present-day circumstances of their own communities, and a clear understanding of the value of History as a discipline,鈥� said Colman. Additional collaborators include Englewood City community groups, churches, synagogues, mosques, Englewood City officials, and non-profit organizations such as the Bergen Family Center.

One digital project entails digitally mapping and recreating buildings and landmarks that no longer exist in the 4th ward as a result of gentrification. Long term, the project will become a permanent feature of Englewood civic life and allow students and residents to work together to document the City鈥檚 history and use the lessons of that history to make more informed decisions about Englewood鈥檚 present and future.聽

Read more about Dr. Colman and the project in .