From The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race:
The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race invites community members, neighbors and friends to come together for its favorite night of the year: the annual Celebrating Integration Gala & Fundraiser. This year’s theme, Leading with Purpose, highlights the vital work and collective dedication required to foster an inclusive, equitable community for all residents.
The festive event will take place on Thursday, October 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Orange Lawn Tennis Club in South Orange. Attendees can look forward to an evening filled with delicious food, great company, an exciting auction and dancing to live music performed by the Essex Funk Collective. Beyond being a night of celebration, the Gala serves as a critical fundraiser to support the Coalition’s ongoing programs, community dialogues and integration initiatives.
This year, the Coalition is proud to recognize two exceptional community leaders whose dedication and purpose-driven work continue to make a lasting impact in South Orange and Maplewood:
- Marcia Hicks, Director of Minority Achievement and Coordinator of the Counseling Annex for the South Orange & Maplewood School District.
- Sarah Lester, Director of the Maplewood Library.
Both honorees exemplify the event’s spirit of purposeful leadership, working tirelessly in education and public service to promote equity, access and inclusion throughout the towns.
“Our annual Gala is a time to reflect on the strength of our community and to celebrate the leaders who work every day to ensure South Orange and Maplewood remain welcoming and integrated,” said Nancy Gagnier, executive director of the Coalition. “It is also an essential opportunity to raise the funds necessary to sustain our initiatives and defend equity across our neighborhoods.”
All proceeds directly benefit the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race’s ongoing work.
Event Details
- When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Where: Orange Lawn Tennis Club, South Orange, NJ
- Featuring: Music by the Essex Funk Collective, food, dancing and an auction
- Tickets & Sponsorships: Must be purchased by October 8
Join us for an inspiring evening as we celebrate our honorees, support critical equity work and dance the night away. We hope you’ll plan to celebrate with us!
Buy tickets or become a sponsor by October 8: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/celebrating-integration-annual-gala–2026
Learn more about the gala: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/celebrating_integration_leading_with_purpose
