January 29, 2026 - Bloomfield, NJ - As the Township of Bloomfield prepares to observe Black History Month this February, the community is building on the momentum of its recent MLK Day of Service events, which brought residents together in late January for service, reflection, and collective action honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Presented by the MLK Day of Service Committee, Mayor Jenny Mundell, and the Bloomfield Town Council, the weeklong programming reflected Bloomfield’s commitment to unity, justice, and community engagement, values that continue to guide the Township’s Black History Month events and initiatives.
Highlights included a Non-Perishable Food and Coat Drive, held in collaboration with the Juneteenth Committee, which collected 75 coats and 20 large reusable bags of food to support Bloomfield residents in need. The week also featured a well-attended MLK Book Club discussion of Why We Can’t Wait, led by Dr. Renee Jenkins, exploring themes of justice, nonviolence, and civic action. Due to its success, the committee is planning additional book discussions. The program was made possible by the Bloomfield Public Library Foundation.
The series culminated with the MLK Day of Service Program at New Light Baptist Church, which has graciously hosted the community’s observance for the past 25 years under the leadership of Rev. Vernon Miller. The program featured keynote speaker Reggie Miller of RM Motivation, whose message focused on resilience, faith, and recognizing everyday miracles. In her opening remarks, Mayor Jenny Mundell underscored Dr. King’s call to action and the urgency of building inclusive communities rooted in fellowship rather than fear.
“Dr. King told us, don’t wait; the threat to justice is present now and there is a fierce urgency to do what is right,” said Mayor Mundell. “That spirit of ‘not waiting’ is exactly what I see in the Bloomfield MLK Day of Service Committee. Thanks to their hard work, our residents aren’t just hearing about a dream; they are building the community Dr. King envisioned.”
As the program concluded, committee members Dr. Renee Jenkins, Jocelin Engel, and Quan Miller challenged attendees to reflect on how they can carry Dr. King’s work forward beyond a single day. Community members shared pledges of service including checking on neighbors, supporting youth with compassion, expanding access to banned books through “Free Little Libraries,” and participating in service initiatives such as Bloomfield’s Spring Town-Wide Cleanup. These pledges are now on display at the Bloomfield Public Library, where residents are encouraged to add their own.
Building on this momentum, the Township will continue its community engagement with Black History Month events presented by the Juneteenth Advisory Committee, Mayor Jenny Mundell, and the Township Council. The month’s programming begins with Zumba Fitness & Line Dancing Night at Watsessing Elementary School on Wednesday, February 12 from 7:00–9:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Watsessing Elementary School HSA. Additional upcoming programs include a Black History Month Open Mic Night on Friday, February 20 at 7:00 PM at the Van Fossan Theatre, followed by the 4th Annual Black History Month Community Social on Saturday, February 21 from 12:00–3:00 PM at the Westminster Arts Center. Both events will be held on the Bloomfield College of Montclair State University campus.
Residents are encouraged to attend, participate, and continue the shared work of building a strong, inclusive Bloomfield community.