ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—The Jabari Society, Englewood’s chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF), held its 22rd annual Back to School Cookout at Mackay Park in Englewood on Aug. 25, from 2 to 5 p.m.
The event, once again organized by Joe Hoyle Sr., was free to the public and filled with fun, food and backpacks loaded with school supplies.
Hoyle, who is the correspondence secretary of the North East Region of the IABPFF, organized and directed the Back to School Cookout. Hoyle works tirelessly for Jabari Society events throughout the year.
“Everything in this cookout is paid for by Jabari Society members—the backpacks, the food, the prizes, etc.,— and all our firefighters are here volunteering their own time,” Hoyle explained.
Spread out across the grass in Mackay Park and playground area were dozens of families with children of all ages enjoying live entertainment provided by DJ Keyon Johnson and chowing down on delicious barbecue along with beverages and snacks served by Jabari members and their families.
Joining the festivities were Councilman Wayne Hamer, Council President Katharine Glynn, Councilman Charles Cobb and several candidates running for the Englewood School Board.
“This is a great community event that everyone looks forward to,” Cobb said. “The Jabari Society really cares about this community and is always giving back. I love seeing the kids having such a great time and families coming together. Jabari is all about people caring for one another.”
The grill and popcorn machine were going all day long, and at 4 p.m. the festivities really kicked into high gear with the famous annual sack races.
In a series of competitions for children from first graders to high school students, some contestants no larger than their sacks, took turns hopping across the field while spectators laughed and cheered. Prizes were awarded for all first, second and third place winners.
Next up was a series of dance contests, in which groups from toddlers to teens boogied, whirled, twirled, and showed their amazing acrobatic moves.
Another highlight of the day was the giveaway of 200 backpacks. All students from grades one to 12 lined up to receive sharp looking backpacks with the distinctive Jabari Society logo that were filled with age appropriate school supplies, including binders with paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, erasers and crayons.
At the cookout, there were a host of Jabari members and community volunteers on hand to register students and hand them their backpacks.
“This is a wonderful event for our community,” said Hoyle. “It’s an opportunity for the kids to come out a have one last summer fun activity. It lets them interact with classmates and members of the Jabari Society. And, of course, they all love receiving the backpacks and school supplies and participating in the games!”
The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters has a long and notable history, beginning in September 1969. At that time, black and minority firefighters of all ranks from municipalities across the United States met in New York City for two days of discussion on the injustices that existed in the recruitment of black youth into the fire service, with special emphasis on relations with the residents of traditionally black neighborhoods, inter-group relations and practices in fire departments and the need to improve fire prevention programs in the areas of greatest need.
That meeting resulted in the creation of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. In October 1970, their first convention was held in Hartford, Conn., where the constitution and the proposed structure of the organization were adopted.
The International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters members pressed for wide scale reforms, addressing the lack of substantial access into the fire service and upward mobility opportunities for black firefighters.
Their goal was to reduce the number of fire deaths and property loss in their communities, and society as a whole. They also focused on working to improve the economic development and employment opportunities for minorities.
The Jabari Society in Englewood
Since 1993, the Jabari Society, which is the Englewood chapter of the IABPFF, has been a major presence in the community. Founding President Kevin Wilson is still actively involved in the society, and he attends the organization’s Back to School Cookout every year.
“Jabari” means “courage” and its members do, indeed, courageously tackle the challenges of its neighborhood. In Englewood, the Jabari Society, a nonprofit organization, takes pride in encouraging its members to continue their education and advance in the fire service. They also work to enrich the community with events like the Back to School Cookout and their annual Safe Halloween Party.
The Jabari Society also hosts the annual Juneteenth celebration (that commemorates announcement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865), and they offer a dozen annual scholarships to high school students entering college.
As evidenced by the large gathering in Mackay Park on Sept. 8, Jabari’s annual Back to School Cookout is one of the Society’s most anticipated community events of the year. And thanks to the dedicated Society members and volunteers, this year’s cookout was once again a huge success!
