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Asbury Park Today
By the People, for the People
Asbury Park Celebrates 100 Years of Black History Month
Community leaders gather for a special conversation on heritage, culture, and the future of the city's West Side.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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As Black History Month marks its 100th year, community leaders, historians, and advocates will gather in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Sunday, February 22nd for a special Community Conversation focused on the legacy and continued impact of Black history in the city. The event will take place at the Launch Center on Springwood Avenue, a cultural heartbeat of Asbury Park's West Side, and will feature a diverse lineup of speakers reflecting on the past while exploring the city's present and future.
Why it matters
Asbury Park's Springwood Avenue has long been recognized as a cultural hub for the city's Black community, once home to legendary music venues and thriving Black-owned businesses. As the city continues conversations about redevelopment, historic preservation, and community identity, this event offers a shared space for reflection, connection, and forward-looking dialogue grounded in the area's rich history.
The details
The Community Conversation will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the formal program beginning at 2:15 p.m. Tyrone Laws will serve as MC and Griot, helping frame the discussion in the tradition of storytelling and shared history. Featured participants include Rev. Jason Jennings, M.Ed., M.Div.; Wanda Smith; Felicia Simmons of the WCC Historic Renovation Association Inc.; Jen Sauder of the Asbury Park African-American Music Project; and Nina M. Summerlin of Westside Citizens United.
- The event will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
- Black History Month marks its 100th year in 2026.
The players
Tyrone Laws
Will serve as MC and Griot, helping frame the discussion in the tradition of storytelling and shared history.
Rev. Jason Jennings, M.Ed., M.Div.
Featured participant in the Community Conversation.
Wanda Smith
Featured participant in the Community Conversation.
Felicia Simmons
Featured participant from the WCC Historic Renovation Association Inc.
Jen Sauder
Featured participant from the Asbury Park African-American Music Project.
Nina M. Summerlin
Featured participant from Westside Citizens United.
What’s next
Organizers encourage residents from across the city and surrounding communities to attend, listen, and participate in the Community Conversation.
The takeaway
This event highlights the enduring importance of Black history and culture in Asbury Park, providing a platform for the community to reflect on the past, discuss the present, and envision a future that honors the city's rich heritage.
