It Takes a Village to Build a Community

What does it mean to build and inhabit a community? Adults and teens are invited to join us for a conversation on community. Ashton Burrell of the New Jersey Human Relations Council will lead this conversation. 

Biography: 
Ashton Burrell has organized marches and rallies for social justice and judicial equity, advocated for all communities, and petitioned corporations for fair and diverse hiring practices. In addition to his local work, he has aided in the coordination of efforts across the country.

Mr. Burrell is Chairman of the Human Relations Council for the State of New Jersey and a member of the NAACP New Brunswick Branch Executive Board. He previously served as Chairman of the Highland Park Human Relations Commission for five years. He has received numerous awards, including the Johnson and Johnson MLK Community Service Award, the NAACP New Brunswick Branch President's Award, the Spread the Word 2nd Annual Humanitarian Award, the Highland Park MLK Humanitarian Award, and many others. He was recently awarded the 2020 New Jersey Governors Jefferson Award for Innovator and Founder of the Live Mentorship Program.

While a student at Lincoln University, Mr. Burrell founded the Hometownheroclub and Live Mentorship Program, which provides mentoring to youth ages 9-19. This program has maintained a 100% graduation rate, and over 3,000 students have been assisted and inspired. 

This program was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.