Haddon Township Equity Initiative

Please consider donating to the Haddon Township Equity Initiative this #GivingTuesday! Check out our 2024 Annual Report to read more about who our volunteers are, the impact we've made this year, and where we will focus our efforts next year. As a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization, your support allows us to continue to host inclusive events like #HTPRIDE, mutual aid drives, Black History Month and Juneteenth programs, community conversations, and much more! These programs build genuine connection between neighbors and can save lives by actively supporting each other. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up and whose support makes HTEI possible! Donations can be made via PayPal or check, more information here: https://lnkd.in/eA5R2Ej6

CHOOSE JOY: A Reflection on the 2025 Trailblazers Trolley Tour Weekend Yesterday, we closed out an unforgettable weekend of history, culture, and community. We want to take a moment to honor the people who brought this vision to life. This past weekend, Haddon Square became a hub of joy, resilience, and storytelling—from the sold-out Trailblazers Trolley Tours traveling between Galerie Marie, Curate Noir, Saddler's Woods Conservation Association (SWCA), and Lawnside Historical Society, Inc., to the powerful performances, open mic moments, and soul-nourishing conversations that filled the space. At the heart of it all was the creative force that made this vision a reality: Jeannine Cook, owner of Ida’s Bookshop. Her leadership, artistry, and commitment to building spaces of joy and resistance brought this weekend to life as she transformed Haddon Square into a home for Black literature, dialogue, and community. HTEI is lucky to have her as a board member and also thankful for the partnership of Haddon Township for allowing our ideas to manifest in reality. A special thank you to her daughter, Jenesis, who joined STARFIRE on the trolley tour to co-facilitate intergenerational conversations about Black history, identity, and resilience. Their presence was a powerful reminder of why this work matters—connecting past, present, and future in ways that sustain us. Deep gratitude to Seraiah Nicole, who curated the performances throughout the weekend and closed out the celebration with Super Joy Sunday, a gathering rooted in music, healing, and connection. To the volunteers who helped set up, break down, and bring joy to every moment of the weekend—this could not have happened without you. The work of building community happens in small, thoughtful acts of care, and your efforts made this space what it was. This weekend was a testament to the power of joy—not just as an emotion, but as a strategy, a tool for resilience, and a force for change. This is not an end but a continuation. The work of equity, sustainability, and joy does not stop here. We invite you to stay engaged, to keep learning, and to take action. For those who want to get more involved, join our mailing list, sign up to volunteer, or collaborate with us. Check out highlights from the weekend and tag us in your favorite moments. LET’S KEEP CHOOSING JOY. #ChooseJoy #TrailblazersTrolleyTour #BlackHistoryMonth

What a weekend. Curate Noir in Camden was one of the stops on the Haddon Township Equity Initiative Trolly Tour. We had some amazing vendors and two Trollies, filled with shoppers from different parts of the South Jersey area. We then hosted the kickoff of Black Children’s Book Week at Curate Noir in Moorestown Mall. We some authors on site for readings, we had crafts and a large selection of books available. JOIN US! We are hosting the close out of the book celebration on Saturday, March 1st at Curate Noir in Camden (1327 Haddon Ave) from 11-4 PM. We will have more authors, crafts and books on books. STOP BY! #collaboration Alban Corbett Kanika Mobley

CHOOSE JOY. The rallying cry for the Haddon Township Equity Initiative (HTEI) as we continue the work to foster equity, inclusion, and sustainability in our communities. At today’s board retreat, our all-volunteer team came together to reflect, strategize, and set a bold vision for 2025. Surrounded by walls of ideas and inspiration, we recommitted to building a community rooted in connection, joy, and action. We extend heartfelt thanks to The JFKLiving Team for hosting us in their space, covered in words of inspiration. Our work moving forward will center on these four themes: — Unite & Connect: Bridging communities, generations, and organizations. — Joy & Love: Centering joy and belonging as acts of resistance and celebration. — Help & Support: Removing barriers and prioritizing mutual aid in all we do. — Focus & Lead: Empowering people to take ownership for a sustainable future. This retreat marks the start of an exciting year ahead. Here’s what’s coming: — February: Trailblazers Trolley Tour Weekend to honor Black history, sustainability, and resilience. — March: Service Leadership Seminar to foster youth-driven solutions for change. — April: Earth Day Veggies Event to align with people, planet, and purpose. — June: HT Pride Parade & Community Night, a celebration of inclusion and connection. — And more events designed to inspire, empower, and connect. Ready to get involved? Join our mailing list and email us to stay in touch with event details and learn how you can get involved in this work. Whether you want to volunteer, lead, or simply show up, there’s a place for you in this movement. Together, let’s CHOOSE JOY and take action to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future. 📩 https://lnkd.in/eKws3pmg 📧 info@haddontwpequityinitiative.org #HTEI #ChooseJoy

For this year's MLK Jr. Day, we’re excited to announce the 2025 Good Trouble Service Leadership Award, named in honor of civil rights icon John Lewis. This scholarship celebrates learners who lead efforts toward equity and social justice in their communities. 🏆 $750 scholarships 📅 Apply by April 15, 2025 🎓 All ages; must be enrolled in a school or registered for a degree, certification, or credential program. 👉 Get more info and apply now at https://lnkd.in/exRtDWp9 Selected students will be honored at a public celebration and eligible students may receive a sponsored opportunity to attend the 2025 Torch Leadership Academy at Stockton University.

24 hours of joy, connection, and giving! 🌟 In December, Haddon Township Equity Initiative (HTEI), Ida’s Bookshop, and The Museum of Black Joy teamed up with an incredible community to spread holiday cheer through mutual aid and celebration. Together, we collected: 🎁 Hundreds of gifts for local families 🏀 Sports equipment & winter gear for the CAMDEN COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT Open Gym Drive 💌 Holiday cards for all the employees and clients of THE ARC OF CAMDEN COUNTY From storytelling to card-making and everything in between, the day was filled with warmth and generosity. Huge thanks to everyone who donated, volunteered, and shared in the joy! Check out some of our favorite moments below. Photo credit to Rylan Lott Photography and Kaitlin Trimboli Photography. More photos here: https://lnkd.in/en6twuWp. This is what community looks like. #Joyathon #CommunityLove #MutualAid #EquityInAction #HTEI

🌟 Kicking off Torch Leadership Academy 2024 with our Dedicated Volunteers! 🌟 Today at Stockton University, our incredible team of 40 volunteer counselors, advisors, and board members gathered for Volunteer Training & Preparation Day. These passionate individuals, representing nearly 80 high schools and universities from across New Jersey and beyond, came together to prepare for the transformative experience awaiting nearly 100 high school students. Our volunteers fine-tuned their counseling skills, prepared for their roles, connected with their teams, practiced their communication skills, ensuring everything is ready for the students arriving tomorrow. Their dedication and enthusiasm are the heart of TORCH! “We strive to empower students to uncover their authentic selves and unlock their fullest leadership potential,” said Dana Colarocco, People Director and Board Member of Torch Leadership Academy. “By cultivating trust, empathy, communication, inclusion, and service, we ensure that our students emerge from this program with the confidence and refined skills to inspire change.” 📸 Check out the official staff picture for 2024! 📸 With workshops on goal-setting, leadership simulations, and trust-building activities, our program is designed to inspire and equip young leaders to make a significant impact in their communities. We look forward to sharing more updates and highlights from our program! #TorchLeadershipAcademy #YouthLeadership #CommunityEngagement #VolunteerTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #SocialImpact

Happy Pride Month from Subaru of America's employee resource group Out+Ally! 🌈 I am incredibly honored to lead Subaru's LGBTQ+ & Allyship group with Kirsten Anderson and Christopher Book. We had an incredible time participating in the 2024 Haddon Township Equity Initiative 4th annual Pride Parade this year #LifeAtSubaru

Nearly 100 employees and supporters of Jefferson Health in New Jersey took part in the recent Haddon Township Pride Parade. Jefferson – which has a medical practice in Haddonfield that specializes in care for members of the LGBTQIA+ community – has been a sponsor of the event since its inception in 2021. The Pride Parade, which draws thousands of participants and spectators eager to paint the town in rainbows and spread love, is aimed at celebrating and connecting the local LGBTQIA+ community. The 2024 Pride Parade theme was “Celebrate and Connect.” This year, Jefferson Health President Dr. Baligh Yehia, along with Jefferson Health’s New Jersey President Aaron Chang, were on hand to support and walk with the team. #TeamJefferson

What an amazing afternoon walking in Haddon Township Equity Initiative’s Haddon Twp Pride Parade, with coworkers from Holman and our Business Resource Group, Holman Proud 🏳️🌈 there was so much positivity and love in the air, my cup is full ❤️ 🩷💜💙🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ 📸 Dustin LaCava-Wingate, Michael Gallo and me!