VIDEO: "Truth, Reconciliation and Repair Act" NJISJ Press Conference, June 18, 2026

On Thursday June 18th the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) hosted a press conference on the recently introduced "Truth, Reconciliation and Repair Act." Introduced as NJ S4459 in the Senate (A5253 in the Assembly), NJISJ reports that the bill commits New Jersey to "apologizing for slavery... accepting responsibility, and... committing to teaching the truth about slavery and Black History in our public schools and beyond." At the press conference (video here) sponsors Senator Angela McKnight and Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson explain the purpose and content of the bill. Other New Jersey leaders at the press conference calling for passage of the bill included Larry Ham (People's Organization fr Progress), Mayor Ras Baraka (Newark), Jean-Pierre Brutus (NJISJ), Henal Patel (NJISJ), Rev. Charles Boyer (Salvation and Social Justice, Greater Mt. Zion AME Church Trenton), and Cn. Annette Buchanan (NJ Faith Allies, Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey). If you would like to support the bill's passage NJISJ is gathering signatures.

VIDEO: REPARATIONS: A STATUS REPORT - FRONTIERS INT. PANEL APRIL 25, 2026

The Plainfield, New Jersey chapter of Frontiers International, one of the oldest Black service organizations in the United States, recently hosted a panel discussion on the state of reparations in New Jersey. The panel featured Dr. Jean-Pierre Brutus of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and New Jersey Reparations Council, the renowned organizer Lawrence Hamm, sociologist and congressional candidate Dr. Akil Khalfani, and Diocese of New Jersey Reparations Commission historian Dr. Jolyon Pruszinski. Frontiers has posted the video recording of the panel on their Youtube channel. Many thanks for the invite!

VIDEO: DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY RESEARCH AT AHA WITH HSEC

The most recent newsletter from the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church (HSEC), The Clearinghouse, highlights research from the Diocese of New Jersey, with video! As part of a panel on reparations research and initiatives in the Episcopal Church organized by HSEC, the Diocesan Reparations Commission historian, Dr. Jolyon Pruszinski, presented on his recent research and the reparations initiatives in the Diocese of New Jersey at the American Historical Association (AHA) national conference in Chicago on January 10, 2026. The HSEC writes: "Watch a timely and important panel discussion, Anglican Slavery in New Jersey: Reparations Work in the Diocese of New Jersey and the Episcopal Church, available on the Historical Society’s YouTube Channel. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Historical Association in January 2026, this session brings together leading scholars and church historians to examine the complex legacy of Anglican involvement in slavery and the ongoing work of reparations within the Episcopal Church. Through thoughtful conversation, the panel explores how historical research is uncovering long-overlooked connections between Anglican institutions and slavery in New Jersey—and how this work is shaping efforts toward truth-telling, reconciliation, and repair today. Featuring: The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey (Moderator), Dr. Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski (Princeton University), The Rev. Dr. Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook (Historiographer of the Episcopal Church). The discussion highlights the vital role of archival research, institutional accountability, and theological reflection in advancing meaningful reparations initiatives." Many thanks to Matthew Payne of the HSEC for producing the video of the event, and to Drs. Bailey and Kujawa-Holbrook for the invite!

VIDEO: Reparations Webinar with Georgia Boon of COE Church Commissioners

 

On June 24, 2025 the Reparations Commission of the Diocese of New Jersey hosted Georgia Boon for the "Journey Toward Reparations Webinar: Church of England Reparatory Accountability." Georgia is the Director of Planning and Engagement for the Church of England Church Commissioners. Check it out here if you missed us in June.

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.
Reparations Commission Historian
Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

VIDEO: Reparations Webinar with Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg

On May 27, 2025 the Reparations Commission of the diocese of New Jersey hosted the Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg for the "Journey Toward Reparation Webinar: An Indigenous Perspective." The Rev. Shaneequa Brokenleg is the Staff Officer for Racial Reconciliation of the Episcopal Church. Here's the video if you missed it!

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

VIDEO: Interview with Ms. Nataliece Moore of St. Augustine's, Camden

On March 15 of 2024 I had the great privilege of conducting an oral history interview with Ms. Nataliece Moore of St. Augustine's Camden. Here are a few excerpts from our lovely conversation (which also featured in the Stations of Reparations service of repentance at Christ the King Episcopal Church, Willingboro on March 15, 2025):

Jolyon G. R. Pruszinski, Ph.D.

Reparations Commission Research Historian

Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey

VIDEO: Station of Reparations Service, Diocese of New Jersey, March 15, 2025

The third Stations of Reparations service of repentance in the Diocese of New Jersey was held at Christ the King Episcopal Church, Willingboro on March 15, 2025. Parishes presenting on their history included Christ the King (Willingboro), St. Peter's (Medford), St. Thomas' (Glassboro), St. Wilfrid's (Camden), and St. Augustine's (Camden). Many thanks to the Rev. Vernal Savage and the members of Christ the King for hosting, to all the participants, and to the diocesan Reparations Commission, particularly the Rev. Beth Rauen Sciaino and the Rev. Jack Zamboni. 

VIDEO: NJ Reparations Council Public Session #9 - Public Education

 

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) has posted video from the ninth of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on February 12, 2025. The content deals with the work of the Committee on "Public Education and Narrative" in New Jersey.

VIDEO: The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey (Part 2)

 The Price of Silence is a two-part documentary dealing with the history of slavery in New Jersey and its aftermath. Part two addresses "The Lasting Impact of Slavery in New Jersey." The Price of Silence is a production of Truehart Productions and Public Media NJ, Inc. Major funding for The Price of Silence was provided by Chasing the Dream with support from The JPB Foundation and additional funding from The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, and Sue and Edgar Wachenheim, III. "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America" is a multiplatform public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity, and showcasing promising solutions.

VIDEO: The Forgotten Story of New Jersey's Enslaved People (Part 1)

The Price of Silence is a two-part documentary dealing with the history of slavery in New Jersey and its aftermath. Part one addresses "The Forgotten Story of New Jersey's Enslaved People." The Price of Silence is a production of Truehart Productions and Public Media NJ, Inc. Major funding for The Price of Silence was provided by Chasing the Dream with support from The JPB Foundation and additional funding from The Peter G. Peterson and Joan Ganz Cooney Fund, and Sue and Edgar Wachenheim, III. "Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America" is a multiplatform public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity, and showcasing promising solutions.

VIDEO: NJ Reparations Council Public Session #8 - Economic Justice

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) has posted video from the eighth of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on December 12, 2024. The content deals with the work of the Committee on "Economic Justice" in New Jersey.

VIDEO: Anglican and Episcopal Slavery in New Jersey Pilgrimage

 

This video will be shared at the Diocesan convention on Saturday, November 23, 2024. If you would like more information on the pilgrimage please see the PILGRIMAGE GUIDE.

VIDEO: NJ Reparations Council Public Session #7 - Environmental Justice

 

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) has posted video from the seventh of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on October 7, 2024. The content deals with issues of "Environmental Justice" in New Jersey.

VIDEO: NJ Reparations Council Public Session #6 - Democracy Committee

 

The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ) has posted video from the sixth of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on September 9, 2024. The content deals with the work of the Democracy subcommittee. 

VIDEO: Reparations Webinar Sponsored by NJ Faith Allies for Reparations, April 25, 2024

 

On April 25, 2024, the Diocese of New Jersey hosted a reparations webinar organized by New Jersey Faith Allies for Reparations entitled "Journey Toward Reparations: New Jersey's Opportunity to Learn from New York & California." Led by Reverend Charles Wynder, Jr., the panel discussion included insights from NY State Senator James Sanders, Jr., the Reverend Dr. Darrell Armstrong, and the Reverend Charles Boyer. 

VIDEO: Stations of Reparations Service, St. Augustine's Asbury Park, NJ March 16, 2024

This is a Zoom video recording of the second annual "Stations of Reparations" Lenten service of repentance, sponsored by the Reparations Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, and hosted by St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Asbury Park on Saturday March 16, 2024. The service focused on the Post-Civil War history of systemic racism in the diocese and featured testimony from members of Monmouth County Episcopal churches including Charles ​Hughes of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, Red Bank, Rev. Chase Danford of Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, and ​Linda Shomo of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, as well as testimony about the general history of racism in the diocese from Commission historian Jolyon Pruszinski.

VIDEO: NJISJ "Public Safety and Justice" in New Jersey, Public Session #5 Recording

 The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice has posted video from the fifth of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on April 17, 2024. The content deals with "Public Safety and Justice" in New Jersey. Panelists include scholars and activists Jean-Pierre Brutus, Ryan Haygood, Taja-Nia Henderson, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Alexis Carteon, Jason D. Williamson, Jerome Harris, Amol Sinha, Bethany Young, and Sharif Braxton.

VIDEO: Reparations Commission Address, 2024 Diocesan Convention

 

VIDEO: Diocese of NJ Contributes Historical Research to Province II Ash Wednesday Liturgy of Repentance for the Slave Trade

On Ash Wednesday (February 14, 2024) the dioceses of Province II of the Episcopal Church jointly participated in a remote liturgy of lament and repentance for their participation in and ongoing negative effects of the slave trade. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry introduces the liturgy. The New Jersey contribution runs from 1:01:26 to 1:08:10. Other dioceses in Province II of the Episcopal Church include Albany, Central New York, Cuba, Convocation of Churches in Europe, Haiti, Long Island, New York, Newark, Puerto Rico, Rochester, Virgin Islands, and Western New York.

VIDEO: NJISJ "Health Equity" in New Jersey, Public Session #4 Recording

 

 The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice has posted video from the fourth of nine public sessions sponsored by the New Jersey Reparations Council, held on February 8, 2024. The content deals with "Health Equity" in New Jersey. Panelists include scholars and activists Jean-Pierre Brutus, Ryan Haygood, Taja-Nia Henderson, Dr. Denise V. Rodgers, Maisha Simmons, Richard Besser, Kimberly Mutcherson, Anna Branch, Dr. Chris T. Pernell, Dr. Shawna Hudson, and Marcus Sibley.