Ahmed Siddiq Brings 'I Have a Dream' to YMCA

For the past two years, Freehold resident Ahmed Siddiq has been on a quest to learn as much as he could African-American history. He and his family traveled from the South to New England studying slavery and gathering information. As his library of historical materials grew, Siddiq thought it was time to showcase his findings.

“I thought, ‘I should take this and display this knowledge. I have to share this with the community,’” Siddiq said. “I wanted to bring this awareness of so many great African-Americans who contributed to history.”

This desire to raise awareness led Siddiq to volunteer to recite Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center last year.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, Siddiq stopped by the YMCA to once again bring the historical speech to the community. A crowd of approximately 40 people were in attendance for the event, which is a part of the YMCA’s schedule of Black History Month activities.

Siddiq said he was especially grateful for the opportunity to speak to young people. “I get such a reward from just seeing the glow on some of their faces,” he said.

As part of his visit to the YMCA, Siddiq displayed artwork, educational materials and books on African-American history for members of the community to look at. Siddiq’s library will likely continue to grow before his return to the YMCA next year.

“I’m still searching. I’m still finding new things,” Siddiq said.

Black History Month Events at the Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center

On Thursday, Feb. 10, the YMCA Leader’s Club will present a Black Wax Museum. Members of the club will portray different African-American leaders through history. They will remain frozen until someone approaches them, at which point they will come to life and give a brief summary of that leader’s life.

On Thursday, Feb. 17, the Leader’s Club and other young YMCA members will speak about the businesses that were once thriving in Tulsa, OK, an area once known as “Black Wall Street.”

On Friday, Feb. 18, the YMCA will host an open mic night and talent show for spoken word artists, comedians, singers and other performers. The event is sponsored by Urban SociaLites, the Court Street School and the United Families of African Descent.