ACP Open Mic Afternoon to Celebrate Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood

The Arts Council of Princeton (ACP) invites the public to an afternoon of heartfelt storytelling, community connection, and reflection at an Open Mic Event on Sunday, March 15, from 2-4pm, celebrating the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, Princeton’s 20th historic district.

The program will begin at 2pm with book signings, followed by remarks from ACP Executive Director Adam Welch and a conversation with the Rev. Gregory S. Smith, Evelyn Turner-Counts, and Aaron Fisher. Following the discussion, performers are invited to participate in an open mic session, sharing spoken word pieces and poetry inspired by the spirit of the Witherspoon-Jackson community.

Reflections from a Vibrant Past Volume 3 by Rev. Gregory Smith is the next in the series featuring a collection of poetry and essays inspired by the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, capturing the voices, histories, and lived experiences of its residents. Through vivid language and evocative imagery, the book offers an intimate portrait of a community shaped by resilience, memory, and pride.

Fisher describes the work as “a powerful and intimate tribute, this collection gives voice to Black Princetonians with honesty, pride, and deep emotional resonance.”

Smith reflects on the project, stating, “I am pleased to join with two fellow community friends in the production of this third book of poetry, depicting the lives and characters of the Witherspoon-Jackson community.” He adds, “This book forced me to revisit stories and memories of people that lived on the edges of my mind for many years. I often wondered, ‘What purpose does it serve?’ Now I know. I hope this book inspires readers to reflect on their own life stories and the people who made it possible for them to become who they are today.”

Turner-Counts also shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration, saying, “I feel thrilled and honored to collaborate with these two talented gentlemen in this endeavor.”

ACP Executive Director Adam Welch will release his new book, Paul Robeson Place: How a Street Got Its Name, and rerelease his zine Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood: Revised and Expanded. Also available for purchase will be Welch’s The Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood: How One Community Changed Princeton.

The event is free and open to the public, inviting community members, readers, and supporters to celebrate the release of this meaningful new volume and the stories it preserves.

Witherspoon-Jackson is a community rich in cultural and historical significance. Throughout the years, the W-J Neighborhood has been a vital part of the fabric of our town, with its important legacy kept alive, in part, through the work of the Arts Council of Princeton.