Former Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer headlines a showing of Punch 9 For Harold Washington, a film that tracks the political rise of Chicago’s first African-American mayor.
Palmer, elected as Trenton’s first black mayor in 1990, joins Mercer County Commissioner Sam Frisby, and Mercer County Re-connect Voter Alliance members Jeannine LaRue, Annette Lartigue, Andrew Bobbitt, Emmanuel Shahid Avraham, and John Bailey for a viewing of the film and community discussion on Friday, Oct. 13.
Opportunity for Growth Victory Fund Inc., Isles, Inc. and the African American Chamber of Commerce hosts this Mercer County premiere at 5:30 p.m. at the New Jersey State Museum. The event kicks off with a 4 p.m. reception.
Palmer said the film resurrected memories of his history-making mayoral campaign.
“It reminded me of how important it is to have a vision and mine was a ‘New Vision for Trenton’ because it was needed. It reminded me of where we were in the city when I first ran and how far we have come and how far we still must go. It reminded me of the old saying ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’ It reminded me that I still have much to give, a role to play and that I need to do more,” Palmer said.
“With that in mind, I reached out to the members of the organizing committee and asked them to help me do more for the City of Trenton and Mercer County. With their support and the blessings of so many, we decided to bring this inspiring film to our county and to our city. I am looking forward to the evening.”
The film chronicles Washington’s surge to power and the importance of voter education, voter participation, voter engagement and community organizing, all crucial to his unexpected triumph in becoming Chicago’s 51st mayor in April 1983. Movie critics identified the film as a take about Black politics, Black Hope, Black Dreams and Black History.
Raymond Lambert, the film’s producer, notes that, “While this film is about a great man in our history, Chicago’s political history, also a message to our young people to ‘stay ready’ and prepare yourself for what’s ahead. Harold Washington was elected Mayor because he was ready. Chicagoans were initially not ready, but they got ready quickly and while Harold won the election, the people of Chicago won too, because he was there, and they registered voters and organized the community to elect him. This is an important story that we all must see.”
The evening includes a list of commenters including NJ State Democratic Chair Leroy Jones, Assemblyman and Democratic Candidate for Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, Assemblywoman Honorable Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and NJ African American Chamber of Commerce CEO & President John Harmon.
A forming community panel includes Ryan Haywood, Rev. Charles Boyer, pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, Trenton NAACP President Austin Edwards, NJ Legislative Affairs Senior Aide Athina Fassu, and Fatima Heyward, chair of NewJersey Young Democrats. Commissioner Frisby said the film serves as a message to the community and sirens a call to “action for our young people to register to vote, to get involved in their community and the electoral process.
“The road to success is always under construction. This film is an opportunity for us to see a community and a personal success story under construction and the actions taken on that successful journey.”
For those who want to attend the Punch 9 For Harold Washington film and Community Discussion, you must pre-register at the following link: qrco.de/Punch9Registration
For more information contact Douglas H. Palmer at dpalmer19@icloud.com or Missy Balmir at missy@thoroughplanning.com