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 May 8, 2026, session 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
JUNETEENTH Celebration
Friday June 19th
2:30-3:30 PM
David Mills
Presents
"Slavery in the North" and more recitations.
3:30-5:00 PM
Join us for a front porch Bar-B-Q with all the fixings, and free book give-away for children
5:00-6:30 PM
Take Me Out to the Ballgame. A fascinating presentation by Larry Hogan and Kevin Kane, about The National Negro League. Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ is one of two National Historic Landmarks in NJ devoted to African American History & culture, the second one is the Fortune Cultural Center
Tiny Porch Jazz Series is back with an electrifying line-up
July 18
DEFTET
You do not want to miss these CATS!
August 15
Lezlie Harrison Trio
Song Stylist and WBGO
Radio Personality
September 19
Kelli & Vel
are back by popular demand.
All shows start at 6-7:30 PM, and are 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.
Join Our Book Club
"The Rope"
By Alex Tresniowski
Meeting June 3, at 6 PM
A True Story of Murder, Heroism, And The Dawn of The NAACP
This story is set in Asbury Park in 1910 and you will be fascinated by the history of Asbury Park, while the story features T. Thomas Fortune and Ida B. Wells. Local history comes to life on every page of this book. We look forward to discussing this book and having the author join us. For more information gilda.rogers@tthomasfortunefoundation.org
Recruiting
Fortune Tellers
Docent Tour Guides
2026-2027 school year.
You must be a high school sophomore in good academic standing and interested in learning about Black History and The Black Press. For more information please contact gilda.rogers@tthomasfortunefoundation.org Limited spots to fill.