SCOTCH PLAINS — Social Justice Matters Inc. (SJM) is kicking off its 2024 Juneteenth celebration with a fundraiser this Saturday, April 20, at Urban Cone of Scotch Plains.
Urban Cone will make a 15percent donation on every sale from 12 to 8 p.m. that day when customers mention “Juneteenth.” Customers also are welcome to attend SJM’s monthly social at the ice cream shop that day between 3 and 6 p.m.
Urban Cone, a Black-owned business at 1943 Route 22 Suite 2, Scotch Plains (on the westbound side just past McDonald’s), has as its motto: “Uniting the CULTURE and overcoming societal obstacles one CONE at a time.”
SJM plans an extensive and festive Juneteenth for its seventh annual celebration, taking place from 12 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. Free of charge and open to all, the event will be held at Shady Rest Golf and Country Club, located at 820 Jerusalem Road, Scotch Plains. The theme is “SANKOFA: Looking Back at Our Past to Move Forward with Purpose for a Brighter Future.”
Highlights will include: African dance performance by Kcydiima Zahir and Co.
West African drum performance by Kojo Ayinde C Johnson.
Performance by local jazz band Amani.
Local Gospel choir performances.
Tours of historic Shady Rest Golf and Country Club.
Mini-market of vendors and information tables featuring 30 local businesses as well as socialservice and non-profit organizations.
Children’s activities such an animal balloon station and readings by local authors.
Food trucks from local businesses.
“ Social Justice Matters is thrilled to sponsor our seventh Juneteenth celebration. It’s such a meaningful opportunity to join as a community, remind ourselves of the day’s history and significance, and pass along its importance to our younger generation,” said SJM President Tashira Wheeler. “And we are very grateful for the generosity of Urban Cone in joining our fundraiser,” she added.
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Tex., with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were free — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
SJM is a local grassroots non-profit organization. Its members are committed to active inquiry into matters of race inAmerican society and working toward an equitable community. SJM serves as a resource for community concerns and facilitates discussions and action about race and related topics.
For more information about SJM’s Juneteenth celebration, go to www.socialjusticematters.org or call (908) 239-1031.
