East Orange Celebrates Black History Month with Music and Community

The city closed out the month with a powerful event featuring live performances, reflection, and cultural pride.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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East Orange, New Jersey celebrated the end of Black History Month with a special event at the East Orange Public Library. The celebration featured live music performances by WBGO radio host and vocalist Lezlie Harrison and acclaimed violinist Kwao Taylor, with legendary broadcaster Bill Daughtry serving as emcee. The event was sponsored by Mayor Ted R. Green, the East Orange City Council, and the Department of Recreation & Cultural Affairs.

Why it matters

Events like this help preserve and celebrate Black history and culture in East Orange, a city with deep community ties. The arts, music, and storytelling play a vital role in educating people, inspiring youth, and bringing residents together around shared identity and values.

The details

The event featured powerful performances that connected music to Black history, cultural preservation, and community healing. Lezlie Harrison spoke about using her vocal talents to continue the storytelling legacy of artists like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. Violinist Kwao Taylor shared his goal of breaking stereotypes and inspiring young people of color to pursue classical music. City leaders emphasized the educational purpose of hosting the event at the library and their plans for future programming to highlight East Orange's rich cultural heritage.

  • The event took place on February 25, 2026, closing out Black History Month.

The players

Lezlie Harrison

A WBGO on-air host and vocalist who has spent decades in radio and performance.

Kwao Taylor

A classically trained violinist and educator who aims to break stereotypes and inspire youth.

Bill Daughtry

A legendary radio and sports broadcaster who served as the emcee for the event.

Ted R. Green

The Mayor of East Orange who sponsored the Black History Month celebration.

Tamika Garrett-Ward

An East Orange City Councilwoman who spoke about the role of the arts in healing and unity.

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What they’re saying

“To be a part of Black History Month as a vocalist and as a Black woman giving to the community through my talent means everything to me. This is very special to my heart because I have family ties here. It's more than a performance — it's history in the making.”

— Lezlie Harrison, WBGO on-air host and vocalist

“I'm very proud of my African heritage, and I try to live in a way that creates Black history in real time. Performing here during Black History Month means a lot.”

— Kwao Taylor, Classically trained violinist and educator

“The arts bring connection, healing, and hope. Music has always been part of our soul, our expression, and our survival. Events like this help people not just learn history — but feel it.”

— Tamika Garrett-Ward, East Orange City Councilwoman

What’s next

The city plans to continue highlighting East Orange's rich cultural heritage through future programming focused on jazz, fashion, hair culture, culinary arts, and education.

The takeaway

This event demonstrates how the arts, music, and community events can play a vital role in preserving and celebrating Black history, inspiring youth, and bringing residents together around shared identity and values.