(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)July 14, 2023

MAHWAH, N.J. – The African American and Colombian history of Englewood, N.J. is one step closer to becoming more accessible and memorialized, thanks to a grant awarded to Dr. David Colman, associate professor of African American History at Ramapo College of New Jersey. The New Jersey Council for the Humanities awarded Colman $15,000 for the project, which is one of only three awards in Bergen County and 22 in the state to receive funding. 

The project “Englewood Makes History” is a community-based initiative to collect and digitize archival materials related to the vibrant history of the City of Englewood, in particular those of African American residents in the 4th Ward and immigrant communities in the 3rd Ward. The project will pay particular attention to collecting documents and items related to the history of race, ethnicity, and class in the City and to Englewood’s historic 4th ward, an African-American neighborhood once known as “Little Texas” and the 3rd ward’s diverse immigrant communities, in particular its historic Colombian neighborhood. 

Students from Janis E. Dismus Middle School in Englewood and Ramapo College in Mahwah will enjoy hands-on learning on the archival project. “The partnership will help students better understand the history of New Jersey, develop a deep understanding of the history and present-day circumstances of their own communities, and a clear understanding of the value of History as a discipline,” said Colman. Additional collaborators include Englewood City community groups, religious organizations, Englewood City officials, and non-profit organizations such as the Bergen Family Center.

One digital project entails digitally mapping and recreating buildings and landmarks that no longer exist in the 4th ward as a result of gentrification. Long term, the project will become a permanent feature of Englewood civic life and allow students and residents to work together to document the City’s history and use the lessons of that history to make more informed decisions about Englewood’s present and future.

Visit ramapo.edu to learn more.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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