Programs

  • Paul Robeson 125th Anniversary Celebration

    IN 2023, WE LAUNCHED A YEAR-LONG CELEBRATION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF PAUL ROBESON'S BIRTH IN PRINCETON. WE MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON THE RESTORATION OF PAUL ROBESON'S BIRTHPLACE. BUILDERS FOCUSED ON THE EXTERIOR - THE FRONT AND BACK ENTRANCES, THE STAIRWAY, THE BOTTOM FLOOR GALLERY, AND THE SIDING. WE PLAN TO OPEN THE HOUSE IN 2025 WE INTRODUCED NEW PROGRAM INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TEACH-IN AND CURRICULUM EXCHANGE AND THE BLACK-ASIAN AMERICAN SOLIDARITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. WE ARE GETTING PAUL ROBESON'S STORY INTO OUR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE DISTRIBUTION OF HEIRLOOM ROBESON TOMATO SEEDS, WHICH LAUNCHED FREEDOM GARDENS IN THE PRINCETON SCHOOLS AND WITH COLLABORATING AREA NONPROFITS. WITH GRANT FUNDS FROM THE MELLON FOUNDATION, WE COMMISSIONED A ROBESON POEM, A COMMEMORATIVE ROBESON QUILT, AND A ROBESON MURAL AT PRINCETON MIDDLE SCHOOL. A BENEFIT CONCERT AT NASSAU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FEATURED THE WESTMINSTER JUBILEE SINGERS OF RIDER UNIVERSITY AND BARITONE SOLOIST KEVIN MAYNOR. SUSAN ROBESON SHARED A VINTAGE SONG AND REFLECTIONS ON HER GRANDFATHER'S 125TH BIRTHDAY AND LEGACY. THE WITHERSPOON CHURCH VERSE SPEAKING CHOIR PERFORMED THE ROBESON POEM. A GRANT FROM THE BUNBURY FUND OF THE PRINCETON AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SUPPORTED THE SEARCH FOR AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. RANDOLPH WIGGINS, A NEW JERSEY NATIVE AND A PRINCETON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE, WILL FOCUS ON FUND RAISING AND ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT. THIS GRANT ALSO SUPPORTED IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL PROGRAMMING. CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT FROM WSPC MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CONTINUE TO BE A KEY FACTOR IN OUR SUCCESS.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $192.3K

  • Program 1 [2024]

    IN KEEPING WITH OUR MISSION TO PROMOTE SOCIAL JUSTICE CONSISTENT WITH THE VALUES AND ACTIONS OF PRINCETON'S NATIVE SON, PAUL ROBESON AND TO MAKE PAUL ROBESON'S BIRTHPLACE A LASTING TRIBUTE TO HIS ACHIEVEMENTS WE MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN THESE AREAS: 1. RESTORATION: WITH MELLON GRANT FUNDS WE COMPLETED WORK ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE PAUL ROBESON HOUSE. WE REBUILT THE FOUNDATION, FRAMED THE OUTSIDE COURTYARD, INSTALLED THE ACCESSIBILITY RAMP, FRONT ENTRANCE STAIRS, AND HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS. 2. FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT: WITH BUNBURY FUND SUPPORT WE COMPLETED A DEVELOPMENT PLAN, LAUNCHED AN AMBITIOUS NAMING CAMPAIGN, PURSUED TARGETED OUTREACH TO PRINCETON AND NATIONAL FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. WE ARE ATTRACTING CORPORATE DONORS. 3. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: WE CONTINUED TO GROW THIS THREE-YEAR ROBESON FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - WELL OVER 300 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED FOR 6 SPOTS. THE SELECTED FELLOWS AND SCHOLARS DEMONSTRATE TALENTS IN THE AREAS PAUL ROBESON EXCELLED - THE ARTS, ATHLETICS, ACTIVISM AND RECEIVED OUR SPONSORSHIP AND ENCOURAGEMENT. 4. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT: OUR TEACH-IN AND CURRICULUM EXCHANGE, ROBESON TOMATO AND URBAN FREEDOM JUSTICE GARDENS, COLLABORATIONS WITH THE LIBRARY, HISTORICAL SOCIETY, RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PRINCETON NONPROFITS ARE BEARING FRUIT AS WE ENGAGE IN PLANNING FOR 2026 AND THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY. 5. SUSTAINED WORK WITH OUR POLITICAL LEADERS RESULTED IN A BILL BEING DRAFTED TO MAKE APRIL 9TH, PAUL ROBESON'S BIRTHDAY A NEW JERSEY STATE HOLIDAY. WE EXPECT THE BILL WILL LEAVE COMMITTEE AND COME UP FOR A VOTE BY THE ASSEMBLYIN 2025. IN 2024, WE CONTINUED IN OUR WORK TO MAKE ROBESON A HOUSEHOLD NAME.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $175.6K