Black Children's Book Festival

Maternal Mental Health Month

Giving  Black Mothers the support.and resources they need in 2026 is crucial today when so many healthcare initiatives are being eliminated. 

Black Maternal Health Week 2026 was observed from April 11–17, marking the 10th annual anniversary of the campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA). The 2026 theme is "Rooted in Justice and Joy," focusing on policy change, community-driven care, and elevating the voices of Black birthing people to eliminate preventable maternal mortality.

May is Maternal Mental Health Month. The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is providing  information and support to new mothers. This hotline will offer a range of support, including brief interventions, referrals to both community-based and telehealth providers as needed. Call 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) for 24/7 free confidential support for pregnant and new moms. If you are in mental health distress or have a suicidal crisis, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free and confidential support.

The following community events in New Jersey will also address mental health issues this month.

Healing Space: Mind, Body, and Spirit. A panel discussion on mental health, physical health and lifestyle change at Trinity Pentecostal Church, 550 E 23rd St, Patterson, NJ on  May 16 from 11:30 am to 3:30pm

Grounded in Grace: Lifting the Mental Load of Women (The Burden of Mothering) a talk hosted by Dr. Zakia Bowen at Elmwood Unted Presbyterian Church- 135 Elmwood Ave, East Orange, NJ on May 23 from 11am to 1 pm.

Celebrate Black Dance in New York

 This May New York  becomes a center for Black dance and music offering an opportunity for families to celebrate this artistic legacy.

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the company that defines artistic excellence and Black cultural legacy concludes its national tour at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center - 1 Center St, Newark, NJ for three unforgettable performances from May 8–10, including a special Mother’s Day performance on May 10. The weekend features five premieres, and every performance concludes with Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations, the ultimate anthem to resilience and joy! Be reminded why Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most moving and joyous experiences you can have in the theater. https://www.njpac.org/event/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater-3/

Celebrating Judith Jamison Workshop

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Ailey Studios on May 10 as we honor Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison on what would’ve been her 83rd birthday and is now recognized as Judith Jamison Day in New York City. Led by Ailey instructor and former Ailey dancer Linda Celeste Sims, participants will learn choreography from Ms. Jamison’s most iconic solo, Alvin Ailey’s Cry; and excerpts from Divining, Ms. Jamison’s first choreographic work. This workshop is open to dancers of all levels ages 13 and up. https://ailey.org/

Join members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on May 30 at 2 pm outdors in The Plaza at Brooklyn Academy of Music 300 Ashland, Brooklyn, for a special workshop during the company’s season at BAM. Inspired by Ronald K. Brown’s powerhouse work Grace, this free workshop will introduce participants to Brown's unique movement style through a guided warm-up and choreography. Explore themes of transformation, healing, and compassion through movement and discover how grace can be embodied in dance and in everyday life. https://ailey.org/

Audition for The Ailey School Junior Division

Auditions for the Alvin Ailey Junior Division’s Pre-Professional Program for the 2026-27 school year are being held on June 9–11 at The Ailey School for prospective students ages 7–17. 

Students experience a highly structured curriculum of world-class training through after-school and weekend classes. All levels include training in ballet and at least one other technique. As students progress, more techniques are added to their training such as jazz, Ailey Horton, Graham, pointe, tap, and West African.

Registration for the June auditions opens on May 19. Mark your calendar to secure your child’s spot for audition day.

Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse                                                                                        Featuring the Dance Theatre of Harlem School and Company                                        Narrated by Darryl Quinton and Sunny Hostin

Dance Theatre of Harlem at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts - 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY on Sunday, May 17 at 3pm  presents their annual family matinee, Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse—an enchanting retelling of Aesop’s “City Mouse and Country Mouse.” Referencing the rich traditions of the Black South and the vibrant energy of modern-day life in Harlem, this joyful story-ballet celebrates the unique expressions of dance, music, and poetry that arise when cultures meet.

Conceived by Artistic Director Robert Garland and School Director Tai Jimenez, this lively production set to music from R&B to folk, with costumes by Katy Freeman, is a heartwarming spring treat for audiences of all ages. Ticket information https://dancetheatreofharlem.org/

DanceAfrica 2026                                                                                                                Uganda’s Ndere Troupe

This Memorial Day weekend May 23-25, the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music opens Brooklyn’s stages and streets to the rich culture and artistry of Uganda. Now in its 49th year, this year’s festival honors the East African nation’s past, celebrates its present, and rejoices in its future.

Anchored by heart-pounding performances from Uganda’s Ndere Troupe, the long weekend unfolds with a mix of dance, music, film, and visual art—plus plenty of food, crafts, and fashion at the outdoor bazaar. Enjoy traditional dance and music from Uganda, view visual art, sample FilmAfrica’s cinematic offerings, participate in classes, attend late-night dance parties, and mingle with neighbors from around the block—and around the globe—in the iconic outdoor bazaar. It’s all waiting for you at Brooklyn’s most unmissable summer celebration at Brooklyn Academy of Music - 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY For ticket information https://www.bam.org/danceafrica-community-day

Something for the Mothers to enjoy. Happy Mother's Day!