Welcome to the
T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center
Meet These Trailblazers
Women Pioneers of
The Black Press
Friends of Fortune
click onto History in Your Backyard
and support our education programs
Fortune Tellers Program
Be a part of our Youth Fortune Tellers Program - The next wave of Social Justice activists. Internships, scholarships and more. Click here to learn more. Sponsored by RWJ Barnabas/Monmouth Medical Center.
The Art of Social Justice
Professional Development For Educators
A collaboration between the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center, Two River Theater, and Project Write Now Register now for the August 26, 2026, session, FREE! https://projectwritenow.org/the-art-of-social-justice/
Visit Our You Tube Channel
Access archived videos including “Entwined for Survival: Monmouth County’s Native American People and The Black Enslaved Population.” Sponsored by Monmouth County Historical
Commission.
A National Historic Journalism Site
The Society of Professional Journalists
Visit the home of T. Thomas Fortune and the exhibit The Black Press: Stewards of Democracy and learn about the pioneers of the Black Press - a powerful network.
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Events
WE THE PEOPLE:
Walk for Democracy
September 27
3-5 PM Raindate October 11
In the spirit of T. Thomas Fortune and his belief in the promise of democracy and that all people of color matter, please join us for the Walk for Democracy. We must continue the work that was so hard and fought for in the past and that is now being stripped away.
- Dismantling of the Voting Rights Act
- Targeting and detainment of immigrants without due process
- Attacks on 1st Amendment Rights and a free, fair and truthful Press
This event is FREE and open to the public. Scan QR code to register.
Tiny Porch Jazz Series
September 19
KELLI & VEL
Are back by popular demand.
Show starts at 5-6:30 PM, and is FREE! Bring your lawn chair, kick back and relax and enjoy the cool jazz vibes. In between sets come inside and tour the exhibits at the Fortune Cultural Center.
October 3
DEFTET
You DO NOT want to miss these Cats. Show starts at 4 pm -5:30
This program is sponsored by Monmouth Arts
THE BLACK PRESS BICENTENNIAL COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION
1827-2027
Visit www.blackpress1827.org to learn about events happening throughout the state that will honor the Black Press - a network of social engineers and intellectuals who changed the social, political, and economic landscape of America. "Freedom's Journal," by Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm, was the first Black newspaper published in America that told the true story of African Americans, unlike the white mainstream press. Taking possession of our narrative was a Herculean effort of resistance. Stay tuned and stay informed. Click on the image above to visit the site.
Creative Heritage
Arts & Culture
October 10
9 AM - 1:30 PM
Archives Day in Monmouth County
T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center Executive Director
Gilda Rogers is the keynote speaker
The event is free and open to the public, and features speakers, a Monmouth County history-related exhibit, and over fifty representatives from local historical societies, museums, and archives. Also included is information on the Jane G. Clayton and M. Claire French awards, which are presented annually at Archives and History Day.