Written by Desirae Guzman As many of us are aware, thousands of Americans continue to experience mental health difficulties as we enter the second year of the pandemic. The fear and the isolation associated with the pandemic alone are responsible for a surge of anxiety and depression within the last year. Unfortunately, the facts and […]
How theater helped me heal and why the arts matter
Written by Kaitlin Overton This article started off as a piece detailing the recently-established Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund that Jersey City residents voted in favor of this past November. I submitted a first draft to Lynn and her editor, Alex, ahead of our deadline and worked on gathering some quotes from folks […]
The Art That Made Me Realize I Had PTSD – an anonymous article
Written by Anonymous While scrolling on social media, I came across political artist and activist Alex Rudin, who has created images that illustrate the turmoil surrounding the witness at the scene of the murder of George Floyd. Not only did she accurately depict the emotions of the witnesses, but her powerful images reminded me that this […]
8 young children’s books we love
Reading with children is a great way to spend quality time while encouraging them to learn about different experiences, cultures, and developmental skills. Plumster Bunnyby Craig Howard About: Plumster Bunny is a 12-book series of children’s books that highlights positive conflict resolution. Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, WORD Bookstore Talia Rexby Mo Hamzeh […]
COVID vaccinations: eligibility updates and tips
As everyone hopes to return to a somewhat normal life where we can live in peace without the fear of getting sick or spreading illnesses, more and more people have been getting vaccinated. It’s understandable to hesitate if you’re unsure of side effects or worried about potential long-term effects, but it’s also important to make […]
5 experiences + installations to visit in New York City
Spend the day enamored by art in New York City. With new exhibits opening every few months in museums across the boroughs and new art installations popping up throughout the city, there’s always something new to enjoy. Here are 5 experiences to check out this month in NYC! Please take all necessary safety precautions when […]
Books to Start Redressing Anti-Asian Hate
Written by Gabrielle Collantes With the recent influx of Anti-Asian crimes, we’ve become conditioned to see this as an extension of the BLM movement. I’ve found myself perusing more literature to better understand the history many of us were not taught in schools, specifically within Asia. As I curl up with a bowl of Ani […]
Organizations that advocate for women’s rights and equal opportunities
Whether it’s women’s reproductive rights or educational resources for children, there are several national organizations that fight for the rights of women and young girls in the US and all over the world. Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood offers reproductive health care and sexual education to the public. Along with this, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund […]
Must-watch films directed by women
This Women’s History Month, support women writers and directors who have produced incredible stories. Whether you’re looking for dramas, rom-coms, or a feel-good story, we’ve compiled a selection of films made by women that are worth the watch! Clemency (2019)Director: Chinonye ChukwuGenre: Drama About (Hulu): Years of carrying out death row executions have taken a […]
JCAC announces two new local art grants
Press release from JCAC – March 2, 2021 The Jersey City Arts Council (JCAC) is proud to launch two new grant opportunities for artists living in Jersey City: the Antenna Grant for Women in the Arts and the Jersey City Artist Recovery Fund. With these grants, the JCAC hopes to provide increased arts education access to […]
Books that will change your life
Written by Kashish Makker We all have books that change our perspectives and add some value or insight to our lives. If you’re looking for books that will make you think or will help you make changes in your life, browse through some of our recommendations. Spiritual/ Religious Literature Journey to the Heart by Melody […]
An interview with Jordan, @theblackgirlglow
Meet Jordan – a blogger, event planner, and philanthropist based in Hoboken, NJ. She’s hardworking and dedicates her career to giving back to the community. We had the opportunity to speak to her and learn more about her work ethic and incredible community work. What’s your name and what do you do? My name is […]
R&B + Soul artists who deserve more recognition
At any given moment, I’m listening to R&B and Soul music of every decade. As someone who loves sharing music with friends, there are so many amazing artists out there whose names I don’t hear or see brought up enough. If you’re looking for anything new to listen to or want to expand on a […]
Giving Digitized
Next month will mark a full year since lock-down in Jersey City, a FULL year. A concept hard to grasp. Our lives in the last year has changed forever, some for the worst and some for the best. It is apparent that we all had to pivot in one way or another to this new […]
15 Black creators to follow on TikTok
TikTok is a hub for all things funny, educational, relatable, and anything in between. Over the past couple of years, the platform has been criticized for the disproportionate exposure for Black creators in comparison to non-Black creators on the app. It’s a fact that Black culture influences all culture, especially the vernacular and trends shared […]
Your local gift guide for Valentine’s Day
It’s that time of year! Spoil your loved ones with gifts from small businesses in Jersey City. For the sexy couple that likes to spice things up We’re all adults here, and this wouldn’t be a fun gift guide if we didn’t sex it up a little bit. So let’s start this gift guide with […]
20 Black Owned Businesses to Support in Jersey City
Shop from local Black-owned businesses for everything from food to clothing. In addition to lists from previous years, here are 20 amazing Black-owned businesses in Jersey City to check out and support! Sw3at Sauna 172 Newark Ave View this post on Instagram A post shared by SW3AT Sauna Studio (@sw3at.sauna) Sw3at Sauna is the perfect […]
10 movies to stream during Black History Month
Black history should always be recognized as a fundamental piece of American history, from historical mistreatment to modern cultural impact. Kick off Black History Month with a celebration of Black artists and Black stories, fictional and nonfictional. For more TV + movie suggestions, check out our previous articles – 10 movies by Black directors, Books and […]
15 bookstores to support in Northern NJ + New York
Over the years, we’ve seen bookstores slowly disappear as online shops and big retailers become a more convenient source. Next time you want to find a new release or want some recommendations, consider supporting independent bookstores in the area! Here are a few of our favorites in Hudson County and beyond. WORD123 Newark Ave, Jersey […]
Winter Indoor Activities for Kids
As the weather continues to drop and remote learning continues to rage on, here are a few options where parents and children can escape to regain a sense of normalcy. Hudson Play189 Brunswick St. Jersey City201-963-4671 I take my daughter here at least three times a week where I can work remotely while she plays […]