Bayonne Historical Society President Lee Fahley has announced that the organization will open its 2025-2026 season on Tuesday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the O’Connor Gallery on the second floor of the Bayonne Free Public Library. The event will feature a presentation by Angelique and Collette Jackson-Belle on a five-generation history of their family in Bayonne. President Fahley said, “The Historical Society looks forward to hearing this great presentation from two very accomplished women whose family has played a vitally important role in the civic and professional life of Bayonne.”
President Fahley will join the presentation to discuss genealogical research resources that will include Ancestry.com.
The Jackson-Belles are both officers of the Bayonne Youth Center (BYC), which has served children and their families since 1948. The BYC provides children with after-school activities geared towards continuing education and broadening horizons, filling the gap between school and home. The Bayonne Youth Center (BYC) gives children a safe place to grow and celebrate their uniqueness and accomplishments.
The sisters have successfully advocated for teen mentorship programs, free music education opportunities, yoga/mindful movement, and art expression classes. The BYC is the host to annual events including the Bayonne Arts Festival; back-to-school uniform drive; free Halloween Trunk or Treat; Give Thanks Bayonne; Holiday Toy Drive; care package drive for seniors/displaced citizens; moderators for the city-wide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay and Art Contest; Easter Extravaganza Hunt; and annual dinner and luncheon.
Angelique is a Commercial Real Estate Analyst. She is also the President of the Bayonne Youth Center since 2016; St. Dominic Academy’s first minority Board of Trustee member; a Board Member of Community Day Nursery; member of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); and Assistant Treasurer for the Bayonne NAACP. She has been recognized by Council 17 LBPO Elks of the World, Assemblywoman Angela McKnight’s office, former Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise, the Hudson County Commissioners, and the county’s Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
Colette is a professional musician and vocalist and the owner of Studio 31 School of Music and Theater for the past fifteen years. She is the Chairwoman of the Bayonne Youth Center and director of their music program. Colette also works at High Tech High School and Explore Middle School and is a member of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). She is the current Chairperson of the Newark NAACP ACT-SO Program. ACT-SO is a national youth mentoring program for African-American High School students. Colette’s efforts have been recognized by the Bayonne Branch of the NAACP and the Bayonne Youth Center.
The program is open to the public, including interested residents of other communities. Light refreshments will be served by the Bayonne Women’s Club.
The Bayonne Historical Society asks that you Like the group on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/p/Bayonne-NJ-Historical-Society. Also, mark your calendar for October 25, 2025, for our Achievement Luncheon. Reservations can be made at bayonnehistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
The Bayonne Public Library is located at 31st Street and Avenue C.