Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation Parade & Festival

The highly coveted Montclair African American Heritage Foundation Parade and Festival drew an estimated four thousand attendees from Montclair ,surrounding neighborhoods and visitors from all over the country.

Folks from California, North Carolina, and Texas, flocked to Montclair in support of the MAAH Festival. Hundreds of vendors, artisans, and crafters sold goods or services at the local event. A substantial majority of these business leaders and entrepreneurs have established influential ties to the northern New Jersey region.

The daylong event featured floats, marching bands, musical and theatrical performances, antique cars, dance troupes, art exhibitions, delectable foods, a cavalcade of horses, a competitive Battle of the Bands, and a quintessential student drum corps, known as the Drums of Thunder, from the town’s Hillside Elementary School.

Now in its 34th year, the genesis of the cultural revival emanates from the Montclair African American Heritage Foundation (MAAHF) whose mission is ‘to broaden minds and spirits while preserving history and promoting cultural resources as an essential element of Montclair’s economic and social well-being.’

Roger Terry and Te’Niijah Bussey are MAAHF’s co-chairs who are also instrumental in elevating and uplifting the breadth of the city’s 4th Ward historical significance. Terry, a lifelong Montclair resident and current Councilor-at-Large, has witnessed a ‘demographic change in the population’ where gentrification has overtaken the displacement of long-term residents, historically overlooked for investment.

Yet, the Montclair he acknowledges with deep pride, is filled with the glory of “African Americans who served as Tuskegee Airmen, individuals in the Armed Forces – even Brigadier generals, college professors, theologians, doctors, and nurses.

“One person started the first Black hospital in Newark,” Terry beams with humility. “We feel it’s important to tell our history before it is forgotten.”

Bussey agrees by stating, “This is why we have a historian on the MAAHF committee to ensure that our heritage is told the right way. We even offer historic tours of Montclair in historic locations that are associated with the richness of our culture.”

Connie Owusu is the owner of Stanhope Africa, named in homage and respect to her African father. She is a native of Ghana who acquired her first African artisanal wares boutique in Montclair and recently opened an additional location in nearby Maplewood. Still, she considers Montclair “home” and has faithfully returned for her fourth appearance at the festival. “I love Montclair and feel fortunate to support MAAHF and I also feel we should keep our dollars in our community,” said Owusu. “When you support us, you support Africans from all over the Diaspora. Ninety percent of our items are handmade mostly by African women from Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana.”

Owusu adds that a critical component of her business is “giving back and supporting survivors of domestic violence” which helps empower women in their pursuit to regain independence.

Empower The Village was equally represented at the site. The data- driven non-profit organization develops, guides, and implements breakthrough, scalable strategies that empower Black people and businesses.

Sabrina House, community engagement specialist, encouraged patrons “to celebrate and reinforce all that we do and engage with each other, and bring each other closer to the community.” House’s effervescence plainly underscored the intention of the day with the sentiment that echoed, “The spirit of this day is Black joy all day…. everyday!” 

Plans for the 35th MAAHF Parade and Festival next year June 2025 are already under consideration. As Bussey so aptly expressed, “This event is more than just a parade. Montclair has a rich history of African-Americans who have done well. The 35th annual MAAHF Parade and Festival will be even bigger and better than ever.”