Let’s Talk About Race (LTAR) is a series of programs that the Red Bank Public Library began over 8 years ago, in an effort to expand dialogue and understanding between people of various races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds that make up the Red Bank area community. In 2018, this program won the NJ State Library's Multicultural Award. Our Let's Talk About Race program has made the Library a leader in diversity education and positioned us in the forefront of this critical conversation.
You can view our previous programs on YouTube here, or on Facebook here.
Three women, one mission, and an entire community to unite. It’s a huge undertaking, but Diane Shelton, Nina Summerlin, and Pamela Major have been up for the challenge; willing, able, and ready to shepherd a project that is near and dear to their hearts.
Diane Shelton, born and raised in Neptune, she has always identified with the City of Asbury Park since childhood – from attending church to shopping to socializing to the glorious days of the boardwalk’s carousel. She received a master’s degree in social work from Simmons University School of Social Work, Boston, MA. Although most of her professional work experience has been as a clinical social worker, her interest shifted during the last decade to prevention and community relations. She has been the Outreach Specialist for Interfaith Neighbors for the past 5 years. Prior to that she served as the Drug Free Communities Support Program Director at Prevention First/ Preferred Behavioral Health. Diane was appointed to the Asbury Park Public Library in 2017 and has been serving as President for the past two years. She is very active in the community serving on numerous committees and as Director, Community Outreach for the Rebirth Church in Asbury ark.
Nina Summerlin, also originally from Neptune, has lived in Asbury Park for 43 years. She has two grown sons, Rahmel and Jacquel, both of whom went through the Asbury Park school system. She is the CEO of the non-profit Westside Citizens United Inc., where she has served for the past 8 years as president. but a member since 2001. WSCU holds community events and activities for seniors and youth. Nina also served as the Director of the Alliance for a Healthier Asbury Park, is a member of the Mayor’s Health & Wellness Committee and other community groups in Asbury Park. Ms. Summerlin is also involved with the Asbury Park School District’s PTOs, organizing & training parents to hold executive positions. In August 2022, Nina was appointed to the Asbury Park Housing Authority as a Bd Commissioner.
Pamela Major grew up in Englewood, NJ and has many fond memories of her hometown. She relocated in 2014 and has been living in Asbury Park for the past 8 years. In 2016 she started her own business, a consulting company called Melia Bloom, (meaning: “Honey, be the best, most mature expression of yourself.”) which builds people, places, and purpose. She engages in public speaking, training, and coaches’ women through Lunch Break’s Womyn’s Worth program as well as empowerment groups through Mercy Center’s Violence Against Womyn’s Program. She additionally serves s the Interfaith Coalition Coordinator for Mercy Center’s Violence Against Women Program. She supports women who are interested in personal and/or professional advancement, “I help women who are interested in going to the next level of living, no matter where they are in their lives. Major also works with youth and adults helping to crystalize and live out vision through Project Write Now.
Their initiative is called, “Springwood Avenue Rising.”