By: Richard L. Smith
As February approaches, the Township of Bloomfield is continuing the spirit of service and unity sparked by its recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, turning a single week of reflection into a broader season of community engagement.
According to a statement released by Bloomfield Township officials, the late-January MLK Day of Service programming brought residents together through acts of service, thoughtful discussion, and shared commitment to the values Dr. King championed—justice, equality, and collective responsibility.
The weeklong observance was presented by the MLK Day of Service Committee in partnership with Mayor Jenny Mundell and the Bloomfield Town Council, setting the tone for the township’s upcoming Black History Month events.
Throughout the week, residents found meaningful ways to give back.
A non-perishable food and coat drive, organized in collaboration with the Juneteenth Committee, resulted in the collection of 75 coats and 20 large reusable bags of food, all designated for Bloomfield families in need.
Another highlight was an MLK Book Club discussion centered on Why We Can’t Wait, led by Dr. Renee Jenkins.
The conversation explored themes of nonviolence, civic duty, and the urgency of social change, drawing strong participation from the community.
Organizers say the response was so positive that additional book discussions are already being planned, with support from the Bloomfield Public Library Foundation.
The week culminated in the annual MLK Day of Service Program at New Light Baptist Church, which has hosted the township’s MLK observance for more than 25 years under the leadership of Rev. Vernon Miller.
The closing program featured keynote speaker Reggie Miller of RM Motivation, who spoke about resilience, faith, and recognizing purpose in everyday life.
Mayor Mundell, in her opening remarks, reminded attendees of Dr. King’s insistence on action over delay and the importance of building communities rooted in connection rather than fear.
As the program came to a close, committee members Dr. Renee Jenkins, Jocelin Engel, and Quan Miller encouraged residents to think beyond the ceremony and consider how Dr. King’s work could be carried forward throughout the year. 
Attendees responded by sharing personal pledges of service—checking in on neighbors, supporting young people with compassion, expanding access to banned books through “Free Little Libraries,” and volunteering for initiatives such as Bloomfield’s Spring Town-Wide Cleanup.
Those pledges are now displayed at the Bloomfield Public Library, where community members are invited to add their own commitments.
Township officials say this momentum will continue into Black History Month, with a slate of events presented by the Juneteenth Advisory Committee, Mayor Mundell, and the Township Council. 
The programming begins with a Zumba Fitness and Line Dancing Night at Watsessing Elementary School on Wednesday, February 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., co-sponsored by the Watsessing Elementary School HSA. Additional events include a Black History Month Open Mic Night on Friday, February 20, at 7 p.m. at the Van Fossan Theatre, followed by the 4th Annual Black History Month Community Social on Saturday, February 21, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Westminster Arts Center. Both events will take place on the campus of Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.
Together, township leaders say, these events are meant to honor Black history while reinforcing a simple message: the work of service, unity, and justice does not begin and end with a single day—it continues through everyday action.