Since the launch of If These Stones Could Talk in 2018, authors Beverly Mills and Sharon Elaine Buck (who prefers to be called Elaine) have become statewide speakers presenting before numerous schools, historical societies, community and civic groups, corporations and other venues where they offer their unique and personal historical perspective on the subject of slavery in New Jersey. In 2019, If These Stones Could Talk received the New Jersey Studies Academic Alliance Authors Award in the category of popular non-fiction and received an Honorable Mention in the 2019 Eric Hoffer Book Award Reference Category.
In 2023, Mills and Buck released their second book, African Americans of Central New Jersey: A History of Harmony and Hostility (American Heritage), about the founding Black families of Sourland Mountain and surrounding Central New Jersey who put down roots, built homes, established churches and navigated their lives in an unforgiving world. African Americans of Central New Jersey features extensive research and interviews that reveal stories of the families who shaped the region for generations.
Mills and Buck are also founders of and advisors to the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum. In this capacity they have partnered with representatives from Grounds For Sculpture, the 1719 William Trent House Museum, 1804 Consultants and the New Jersey Historical Society to host symposiums featuring topics centering around approaches for learning and discussing difficult topics in African American history. Similarly, Mills and Buck hosted a workshop at the 2019 Fall Conference of the New Jersey Council of Social Studies at Rutgers University with Dr. Cynthia Assini, (K-12 Social Studies Supervisor in Hillsborough, New Jersey) where they led a workshop for educators from throughout New Jersey entitled, “Authentic Assessment of African American History.”
Presentations for Universities, Corporations, Non-Profits, and Other Community Organizations
We give presentations and training sessions at a variety of events, academic and corporate conferences, and other community venues. Submit a request for more information on fees and presentation format.
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Special Events for Schools K-12
We tailor our school presentations to be engaging and informative for young audiences. Fees are discounted for the needs of local school organizations.
1 hour school assembly on-site or virtual presentation of “A Proud Heritage: the African American Presence and Contribution in the Sourland Mountain Region and Surrounding Area” – $1,000.00
1 hour book talk on If These Stones Could Talk: African American Presence in the Hopewell Valley, Sourland Mountain, and Surrounding Regions of New Jersey or on African Americans of Central New Jersey: A History of Harmony and Hostility – $1,000.00
On-site or virtual double school assembly – $2,000.00 (travel costs for on-site presentations will be added to fee)
Half day on-site or virtual presentation – $3,500.00 (travel costs for on-site presentations will be added to fee)
Click here to request a speaking engagement >>
Due to COVID-19 considerations, most presentations and training sessions are virtual. In-person presentations are available on request.
Connecting the past to the present, for a better future 