Meet the Board Directors & Officers

Kimberly Latortue, President

Kimberly Latortue, President

Cathy Smith, Vice President

Cathy Smith, Vice President

Maria Towe, Secretary

Maria Towe, Secretary

Geoff Rockhill, Treasurer

Geoff Rockhill, Treasurer

Members

Members

Aminah Toler

Pastor Robert Coles

Betty Holloway

Aminah Toler

Aaron Smith

Pastor Robert Coles

Nicole Gray

Betty Holloway

Theodore Graham

Aaron Smith

John Hearn

Nicole Gray

Theodore Graham

John Hearn

Coalition Partners

Testimonials From Our Friends:

  • I’m tired of having people assume African-Americans aren’t part of the fabric and foundation of America. If we keep letting others deny, defile and destroy our proof, we are allowing our legacy to ebb away. We can’t allow that to happen! I will not be erased. I was raised in Montclair and didn’t know about the Howe House. I need Howe House to be just as important to our story as any other historic reference or property.

    Ghana Hylton

  • I am a supporter of the FOHH. My family have lived in Montclair for four generations and have been property owners for over 75 years. As a member of the Montclair African-American community and a affordable Housing advocate, our history is sacred ground and must be protected. The Howe House is one of the most important pieces of the Montclair African-American Community History.

    William L. Scott

  • We are the bridge between the past and the present. We are the unlikely inheritors of the promise that James Howe was given. We are morally compelled to see that this promise lives on.

    Ami Brabson

  • “Thou shalt not sit idly by”

    Milt Horowitz

  • All history should be true and inclusive! It’s unfortunate that so many people know so little of our history here. I look forward to being a part of this amazing endeavor to right this wrong.

    Vivian Fowlkes

  • There is something broken in every community. There are wounds left by slavery, and by the racist oppression that followed. Any opportunity that we have to repair the harm is worth our attention and engagement. I embrace the opportunity to do this work at this time with these people because the work itself is life changing. We will not falter. The beneficiaries of the promise that James Howe was given will continue to receive its blessing.

    Reverend Anya Sammler-Michael

  • As a lifelong resident of Montclair I have witnessed the Township's physical growth at the expense of what I believe has always been its soul, and that’s racial and economic diversity. But watching and working with the Friends of Howe House embark on the journey to keep this treasured property was an example of not allowing history to repeat itself. What do I mean by that? When the Washington Street YMCA closed and was demolished, we lost the most significant building to the Black community in Montclair.

    David Cummings

  • By this group keeping the Howe House alive, Montclair residents now and in the future, will have a place to learn about its past and treasure those days while also providing future generations the opportunity to become competent about its history. And one of the greatest stories that should be included, is how residents of all walks of life, race and religions, came together to keep this treasure alive. In recognition of the late great Civil Rights leader John Lewis, I’m glad to have played a small part in this ‘Good Trouble’.

    David Cummings

  • I'm committed to the James Howe House Project because I believe in the importance of sharing local African American History. James Howe's legacy should continue to be researched, documented, shared, AND preserved. I believe that together, we can make this happen and that his story will become a national story.

    Janice Cross Gilyard

  • Preserving the Howe House is showing that as a community we are more than lip service when it comes to respecting the contributions of ALL our ancestors. We celebrate our freedom in this country and Mr. Howe represents the reason we as African Americans have thrived and enjoy this beautiful town. The lack of education about our country's history and our local history can be restored through these efforts. I want our children and their children to know what freedom looks like and this is a great start. #wearehowehouse

    Diane Tyree Anglin

  • The Howe House reminds us of the multi-layered history of Montclair, and the important role Mr. Howe and his family played in making this town a place we all call home. It is a history that brings us sorrow, one that demands a reckoning, and also one that fills us with pride and hope for our future. I am grateful to all those who have long worked to preserve, teach, and celebrate African American history in Montclair and beyond, and am thrilled to be a part of the Howe House effort.

    Johanna Foster

  • The James Howe House is a remarkable landmark of African American history and a celebration of Black prosperity. Montclair is my family's chosen home town and we are dedicated to the lifelong struggle for racial justice in America, as it is realized in the James Howe project and beyond.

    Sarah Vazquez

  • The Howe House has the potential to serve as a conduit for the community to connect with our past and learn more fully about Black history in the United States. It is a pleasure to be working with so many dedicated people to preserve this important part of our history.

    Susan Raufer

  • The James Howe House stands to be a voice for us to learn Montclair's full history, a place for us to reckon with our past and work for a better future. I am honored to be a part of this effort.

    Maria Towe

  • For too long, the history and impact of slave-ownership in the North—and in New Jersey and every small town, like Montclair—has been hidden. It is critical that we own this history, look it square in the eye, and recognize how it has shaped the lives of all who live here. The James Howe House calls us to see, to engage, to listen, and to evolve.

    Anne Sailer

  • The Friends of the Howe House are fulfilling the commandment to remind each generation we that were once slaves. Its preservation will show generations to come of both the darkness of Montclair’s history and its emergence as a community where diversity is treasured and justice is pursued. We are proud to be a Friend.

    Joni and Alan Cohen

  • I believe very strongly in giving the Friends of Howe House the time and space they need to develop a plan for this important historic site. I don't want us to blink one day and wonder what happened to Montclair and our amazing history. So we all must actively participate in protecting what we love and cherish, including the town's rich African American history.

    Peter Yacobellis

  • Some people need a cross, a star, a crescent, a wheel, the ‘AUM’ symbol, or a candle as a visual reminder of past struggles, their roots, the foundation, and the ultimate reality. The Howe House will be a small visual reminder of the indomitable spirit of the African Americans in the Township of Montclair. A beacon of HOPE and MERCY!

    Dr. Renee E. Baskerville, M.D., Secretary Daughter of Charles Baskerville, Jr. and Marjorie H. Baskerville, Twin Sister of Dr. Lezli Baskerville, SBS, Esq. and Mom of Ali, SBM, JD. MBA.

  • I recently discovered from a family member genealogist that one of my father’s New England ancestors and several of my mother’s Tennessee ancestors owned enslaved people. I should not have been surprised. I now know that my family’s intergenerational success and well-being were built upon the foundational structures of subjugation and exploitation. My contribution to the Howe House is the beginning of my personal reparations. Thank you for this opportunity.

    Francesca Elms

Thank you to Our Generous Supporters:

Rev. Dr. David Boyle

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Francesca Elms

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Milt Horowitz (in memory of Carla Horowitz)

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Geoff Rockhill (In memory of Edward Hur)

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Maria Towe (in memory of Cris Moldow)

Rev. Dr. David Boyle • Francesca Elms • Milt Horowitz (in memory of Carla Horowitz) • Geoff Rockhill (In memory of Edward Hur) • Maria Towe (in memory of Cris Moldow)

Toni Martin

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Ed Martoglio

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The Montclair History Center

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David Newkirk

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Anne and David Sailer

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Brendan Gill

Toni Martin • Ed Martoglio • The Montclair History Center • David Newkirk • Anne and David Sailer • Brendan Gill

Neil Baldwin, CHAMPION

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Nancy Bigelow, CHAMPION

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Eileen Birmingham and Greg Warwo, CHAMPION(S)

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Ingrid Burke, CHAMPION

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Lillie Edwards, CHAMPION

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Lynn Gardner, CHAMPION

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Laura Giletti, CHAMPION

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Tina Huesing & Logan Deimler, CHAMPION(S)

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Nina Cooke John, CHAMPION

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Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S)

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Judie Rinearson and Nick Lewis, CHAMPION(S)

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MHS Class of 89, CHAMPION(S)

Neil Baldwin, CHAMPION • Nancy Bigelow, CHAMPION • Eileen Birmingham and Greg Warwo, CHAMPION(S) • Ingrid Burke, CHAMPION • Lillie Edwards, CHAMPION • Lynn Gardner, CHAMPION • Laura Giletti, CHAMPION • Tina Huesing & Logan Deimler, CHAMPION(S) • Nina Cooke John, CHAMPION • Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S) • Judie Rinearson and Nick Lewis, CHAMPION(S) • MHS Class of 89, CHAMPION(S)

AAPI Montclair, GOLD

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Renee Baskerville, M.D., GOLD

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Christina Bennett, GOLD

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Nicole & John Hearn, GOLD

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Timothy Crist, GOLD

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Raymonde Dumont, GOLD

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Blythe Eaman and Geoff Zylstra, GOLD

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Arielle Eckstut, GOLD

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Jonathan Feig, GOLD

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Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S)

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John Feinberg, GOLD

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Johanna Foster, GOLD

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Sheila Gibbons, GOLD

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Caroline Kane, GOLD

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Merideth Nahra, GOLD

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Barbara Reisman, GOLD

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Claudia and Alan Sanders, GOLD

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William Scott, GOLD

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Loryn Sigillato, GOLD

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Matt and Nancy Silverman, GOLD

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Norma Tassy, GOLD

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Mary Tiebout, GOLD

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UUSS Congregation & Community, GOLD

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Peter Yacobellis, GOLD

AAPI Montclair, GOLD • Renee Baskerville, M.D., GOLD • Christina Bennett, GOLD • Nicole & John Hearn, GOLD • Timothy Crist, GOLD • Raymonde Dumont, GOLD • Blythe Eaman and Geoff Zylstra, GOLD • Arielle Eckstut, GOLD • Jonathan Feig, GOLD • Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S) • John Feinberg, GOLD • Johanna Foster, GOLD • Sheila Gibbons, GOLD • Caroline Kane, GOLD • Merideth Nahra, GOLD • Barbara Reisman, GOLD • Claudia and Alan Sanders, GOLD • William Scott, GOLD • Loryn Sigillato, GOLD • Matt and Nancy Silverman, GOLD • Norma Tassy, GOLD • Mary Tiebout, GOLD • UUSS Congregation & Community, GOLD • Peter Yacobellis, GOLD

AAPI Montclair, GOLD

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Renee Baskerville, M.D., GOLD

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Christina Bennett, GOLD

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Nicole & John Hearn, GOLD

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Timothy Crist, GOLD

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Raymonde Dumont, GOLD

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Blythe Eaman and Geoff Zylstra, GOLD

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Arielle Eckstut, GOLD

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Jonathan Feig, GOLD

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Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S)

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John Feinberg, GOLD

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Johanna Foster, GOLD

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Sheila Gibbons, GOLD

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Caroline Kane, GOLD

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Merideth Nahra, GOLD

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Barbara Reisman, GOLD

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Claudia and Alan Sanders, GOLD

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William Scott, GOLD

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Loryn Sigillato, GOLD

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Matt and Nancy Silverman, GOLD

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Norma Tassy, GOLD

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Mary Tiebout, GOLD

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UUSS Congregation & Community, GOLD

•

Peter Yacobellis, GOLD

AAPI Montclair, GOLD • Renee Baskerville, M.D., GOLD • Christina Bennett, GOLD • Nicole & John Hearn, GOLD • Timothy Crist, GOLD • Raymonde Dumont, GOLD • Blythe Eaman and Geoff Zylstra, GOLD • Arielle Eckstut, GOLD • Jonathan Feig, GOLD • Pat and John Lytle, CHAMPION(S) • John Feinberg, GOLD • Johanna Foster, GOLD • Sheila Gibbons, GOLD • Caroline Kane, GOLD • Merideth Nahra, GOLD • Barbara Reisman, GOLD • Claudia and Alan Sanders, GOLD • William Scott, GOLD • Loryn Sigillato, GOLD • Matt and Nancy Silverman, GOLD • Norma Tassy, GOLD • Mary Tiebout, GOLD • UUSS Congregation & Community, GOLD • Peter Yacobellis, GOLD

Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.
Photos taken by Kate Albright of Montclair Local on February 13, 2023 when the Friends of the Howe House became owners of the property at 369 Claremont Ave.