Race Amity Day in Montclair: A celebration of cooperation

Representatives of several Montclair groups Sunday joined in a mission to celebrate what organizers described as “what brings us together, and to amplify the history of people of diverse racial backgrounds working together towards equity, social justice and racial unity.”

They gathered for Race Amity Day, a celebration of cooperation and friendship between people of different races and cultures, observed by several communities throughout the United States and by the state governments of Massachusetts and South Carolina. Montclair’s government has recognized the second Sunday of June as Race Amity Day since 2019. 

Sunday’s event was organized by the Montclair Race Amity Initiative planning team, in collaboration with the Montclair History Center, The Baha'i Community of Montclairs, The Mark Cares of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, United Women in Faith, Montclair High School drama students, and MHS students from the art history and equity clubs.

As an act of service, attendees brought canned tuna, peanut butter, soup, canned beans and pasta sauce for Toni’s Kitchen and the Human Needs Food Pantry.

Attendees also took a guided tour of the Crane House and Historic YWCA, purchased in 1920 by Black women to provide a space for the community. They helped paint a community mural created by Montclair High School art students to depict friendship and amity among diverse races and peoples.

MHS drama students also performed stories about people from various races working together to build communities.

Photos by Shane Paul Neil and Cole Huson Neil for Montclair Local