Latarsha Burke is a leader. She is an organizer who has endless energy for her community. She spends many hours behind the scenes to help create festivals, celebrations and memorable events.
Along with her team of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County, she teaches health, history, arts, culture and learning to young and not so young of the area. Her passion is infectious, and her serenity is professional.
The Juneteenth Celebration will be held on Saturday, June 20 from noon to 8 p.m. at Mercer County Park.
How did you become interested in volunteering and working in the community?
My commitment to volunteerism grew out of my career in juvenile justice and social services. After graduating from The College of New Jersey, my first professional role was with the Mercer County Juvenile Detention Center, where I served as a youth worker. It was there that I formed a deep connection with young people impacted by generational trauma.
Through counseling and honest conversations, I listened to their needs, their journeys, their strengths, their fears, and the challenges they were navigating. That experience led me deeper into social services. I worked with nonprofit organizations and eventually joined the Division of Children and Families as a caseworker, supporting children and families throughout Mercer County and across the state.
Through those experiences, I saw firsthand that many families were carrying not only hardship, but also a sadness rooted in limited opportunity and disconnection. For some, life felt confined to the same four or five blocks of their neighborhood, without access to the broader possibilities around them. I also saw how many people had never been taught the greatness of their own lineage and history. They did not fully know the contributions, resilience, and global impact of African Americans and people of color. That realization stayed with me. I wanted to be part of something that would bring history, culture, and education directly into the community, something that would help people reconnect with who they are, understand where they come from, and feel pride in their identity.
Most importantly, I wanted to help create spaces where individuals and families could see their own value, recognize their power, and believe in the impact they can have on the world.
What was the genesis of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County?
The African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County traces its roots back to 2011, when the Trenton African American Pride Festival was founded under the leadership of L.A. Parker. The festival was created to celebrate African-American culture, honor community pride, and provide a space where residents could come together in unity and celebration.
In 2013, I became executive director of the Trenton African American Pride Festival. In 2014, under my leadership as CEO and Executive Director, the organization evolved into the Trenton African American Cultural Festival, expanding its mission and creating broader opportunities to celebrate African American history, arts, and community throughout the city of Trenton. By 2016, the leadership recognized the need to expand beyond city borders and serve families and communities across the wider Mercer County region. Since that time, the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County has continued to provide meaningful programming and resources to residents throughout Trenton and Mercer County, creating spaces where culture is celebrated, history is honored, families are connected, and community is empowered for generations to come.
How did the Collab team come together and more importantly stay together?
Through shared passion, purpose, and a deep love for the Trenton and Mercer County community. These are individuals who live and work in Trenton and recognized the importance of creating and sustaining meaningful events that bring people together in celebration, fellowship, and unity.
Many of our team members have been committed to supporting the African American Cultural Collaborative since 2014, and some have been part of this journey even longer. One of our longtime leaders, Regina M. Jackson, began serving alongside me as a volunteer in 2011 and has remained a dedicated and valued part of this work ever since.
We are truly blessed to have a team of volunteers willing to dedicate countless hours with one shared objective: to create spaces where people in our community can come together, build fellowship, celebrate culture, learn about our history, and feel empowered. The work is rooted in service, but it is also rooted in love—for our people, for our community, and for the generations that will come after us.
That shared commitment continues to be the foundation of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County.
What is the theme of this year’s Juneteenth Festival?
Honoring the Past: recognizing our ancestors, Juneteenth history, resilience, and the generations that paved the way.
Celebrating the Present: uplifting Black culture, artistry, businesses, wellness, and the joy of gathering together as a community right now.
Inspiring the Future: investing in youth, education, health, leadership, and the legacy we’re creating for generations to come.
Who are some of the long-time sponsors and partners you have worked with?
The event is proudly presented in partnership with New Jersey Legislative District 15—including Senator Shirley Turner, Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Assemblyman Anthony Verrelli—and with the support of Dan Benson, Mercer County Executive. Over the years, the celebration has also been hosted in the City of Trenton with the support of Mayor Reed Gusciora and on the campus of Thomas Edison State University.
The growth and continued success of Juneteenth in Mercer County has also been made possible through the support of generous sponsors and community partners, including Capital Health System, St. Francis Medical Center, Wells Fargo, PSE&G, Comcast, The Watershed Institute, the Delaware River Basin Commission, First Bank, Thomas Edison State University, IBEW Local 269, Trenton Thunder, the Mercer County Education Association, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and many more.
Who are some of your influences and mentors?
Some of the earliest and most impactful influences include Ivey Avery, Jocelyn White, and Carolyn Sapp-Raines, all retired educators from the Trenton Public School system. Their commitment to education, community, and preserving our history has been inspiring.
Ivey Avery, who is also a member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, has especially been an example of leadership rooted in service, culture, and education.
One of the most significant people in my journey has been Brenda Evans Jackson. When I first began volunteering, Brenda believed in me at a time when I did not fully believe in myself. She helped me navigate the Trenton and Mercer County community landscape and supported me at every turn.
When L.A. Parker resigned in 2013 and our shared goal was to keep the celebration of African American culture alive, Brenda stood beside me with encouragement, wisdom, and unwavering support in ways that are difficult to fully express. Her belief in me helped strengthen my confidence and my commitment to continue this work.
In addition to those mentors, the African American Cultural Collaborative has also been blessed with advisors whose support has been instrumental to both the internal and organizational development of the Collaborative. Their wisdom, leadership, and guidance have helped strengthen our foundation and continue to shape our growth.
That support includes Rev. Gerald Trueheart, Gene Bouie, Judge Marc McKithen, and Rev. Thaddeus Taylor. Historically, I am also deeply inspired by my ancestors, those who fought the good fight to ensure equity, justice, and the rights of African Americans, while also advancing freedom and opportunity for all people. Their sacrifices, resilience, and determination continue to guide and motivate me.
I am inspired by the grassroots organizing and community-centered action demonstrated by the Black Panther Party, and by leaders such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chisholm, and Fannie Lou Hamer. Their courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice continue to remind me of the power of community, the importance of speaking truth, and the responsibility we each have to continue building a better future.
What fight/struggle do you have regarding putting on the events that you do?
One of the greatest challenges the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County has faced since becoming a nonprofit has been securing the funding needed to sustain and grow this work.
Since 2014, all of the Collaborative’s events have been offered free to the community, and from 2011 through 2013, when the organization operated as the Trenton African American Pride Festival, those events were also free to the public. We have remained committed to ensuring that our community has access to quality cultural programming without cost to attend, because we believe access to culture, education, and community celebration should be available to everyone.
At the same time, hosting free events comes with very real expenses. There are costs connected to programming, logistics, permits, supplies, entertainment, marketing, equipment, and creating experiences that are both meaningful and professionally organized. Because of that, fundraising remains a year-round effort. Beyond fundraising itself, there has also been the ongoing work of understanding the nonprofit landscape including learning the full scope of development, grant writing, donor engagement, and how to position and package the organization to compete for larger funding opportunities.
Volunteer engagement continues to be another challenge. The Collaborative has no paid staff, and everyone serving on the team contributes their time on a volunteer basis. That level of commitment is powerful, but it can also be difficult because many people understandably need paid opportunities and may not be able to commit the time needed in a volunteer capacity. We are always looking for volunteers who believe in the mission and are willing to help build with us.
Training, coaching, and leadership development are also important needs. Like many grassroots nonprofits, there is a constant learning curve in understanding what it takes to operate and grow a strong organization while also continuing to deliver programming to the community. Greater access to nonprofit training and organizational development resources would strengthen the ability of grassroots organizations like ours to compete for larger grants and secure the long-term support needed to sustain and expand our mission.
We remain incredibly grateful. We have been blessed to continue this work and provide consistent programming to the Trenton and Mercer County community. Through dedicated volunteers, strong partnerships, and a deep commitment to our mission, we have continued to move forward.
Tell us about the latest programs on the horizon.
One of our newest initiatives is the addition of Third Fridays, which will create another opportunity to engage the community while supporting businesses within the Trenton Urban Enterprise Zone. This initiative is designed to bring residents and visitors together in a meaningful way while highlighting local businesses, culture, and community connection in the heart of the city.
We are also looking ahead to an important community initiative this fall: Aging While Black, a summit being planned in partnership with New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well and Sankofa Educational Consulting LLC. This summit will be hosted in Mercer County and focus on support, education, and resources for our aging population, while centering on the unique experiences, needs, and voices of Black elders in our community.
In addition, the Collaborative remains committed to continuing several of our signature programs and annual events, including the African American History Bowl, our Women’s History Month programming, and of course our annual Juneteenth Celebration, which continues to bring thousands of residents and families together each year in celebration of culture, history, and community.
How does today’s outlook differ from 10-15 years ago?
I am truly grateful for each one of our incredible team members, committee members, and board members. Patrick Hall, Sheila Garvin Glover, Regina M. Jackson, Shirl Thomas, Andrea Norcott, Katie Onitiri, Bernice Fynn, Timothy Robinson, and Lawrence Graves each bring their own talents, expertise, and commitment to this work, and they make serving through the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County a pleasure.
What I appreciate most is their investment in growing this organization and their commitment to ensuring that we are building a legacy that will continue well beyond any one individual or team. Currently, one of our highest priorities is organizational development. With the support and guidance of our resolute advisors Gene Bouie, Judge Marc McKithen, and Rev. Thaddeus Taylor, we are focused on becoming an even stronger and more sustainable organization. That includes strengthening our internal structure, building long-term systems and strategy, and taking an intentional look at how we continue to present ourselves to the community and to the world.
I am incredibly excited about the future of the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. For many years, I have done this work while also working full time, balancing my professional responsibilities with my commitment to this mission. As I am preparing to retire this June, I am excited to invest even more deeply into the mission and vision of the Collaborative.
The future is bright for the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County. We have a strong foundation, a dedicated team, and a community-centered vision that continues to grow. We will continue to build. We will continue to serve. We will continue creating legacy. And with faith, partnership, and purpose, we believe the African American Cultural Collaborative of Mercer County will continue to be a force in Mercer County, throughout New Jersey, and hopefully in the future, in multiple states.
Online: taacf.org.
