Newark’s Military Park will be the setting for an uplifting and joy-filled celebration for Black boys and their families. The Future Leaders of Tomorrow (FLOT NJ) is hosting the inaugural Black Boy Joy Festival on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Rain date: July 26). This free, one-of-a-kind event, designed for boys ages 5–18, will bring together local youth, families, and community leaders for a day of mentorship, active play, creative expression, and wellness.

The Black Boy Joy Festival is more than just a fun event—it’s a movement to uplift and celebrate Black boys, who are too often burdened with harmful stereotypes and societal pressures. This festival offers them a safe and joyous space to embrace their authentic selves and reconnect with their inner child. Through a combination of creative activities, mentorship, and wellness experiences, the festival will empower attendees to let go of societal expectations and simply enjoy being themselves.

“We created this festival to show Black boys that they are valued, celebrated, and loved,” said Larry Jones, Founder and CEO of FLOT NJ. “It’s a chance for them to drop their guard, be themselves, and experience joy in its purest form. We want them to feel free to be nerdy, confident, weird, vulnerable, safe, jovial, and above all, happy. Too often, boys in our communities aren’t given the freedom to just be themselves. This festival is a space to shed those pressures and reconnect with the joy that comes from simply being a kid.”

Festival Activities and Features

The festival offers an array of activities designed to engage, inspire, and celebrate the brilliance of Black boys, including:

  • Active Play: Bounce houses, obstacle courses, and team sports to encourage physical activity and teamwork.
  • Mind & Body Wellness: Yoga, meditation, and art therapy stations focused on mindfulness and relaxation.
  • Skills & STEAM: Hands-on activities like 3D-printing demos and coding challenges to foster creativity and critical thinking.
  • Self-Care: Free haircuts and wellness check-ins to promote self-care and confidence.
  • Mentorship Circles: Guided mentorship from local male leaders and professionals who are committed to nurturing the next generation.

“Every Black boy deserves to see, feel, and experience joy,” said FLOT NJ board member Solomon Middleton-Williams. “This festival is an opportunity for our young people to embrace their potential and understand that their joy is essential. Larry Jones’s vision, supported by a dedicated team, brings this dream to life. It’s a beautiful reminder that joy, community, and connection are necessary components of growth.”

The festival also provides an opportunity for boys to connect with mentors who share their life experiences. These mentorship circles will be led by respected community figures who offer guidance, inspiration, and positive role models for the next generation of leaders.

Community Support & Partners

The festival has garnered significant support from local organizations, businesses, and community leaders, all of whom are working together to make this event a success. Some of the event’s key community partners and sponsors include:

In-Kind Partners:

Financial Sponsors:

Individual Donors:

  • Dozens of Newark families, professionals, and community members whose generosity fuels this mission.

These partners share FLOT NJ’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for Black boys, creating opportunities for growth, mentorship, and community building. Their collective efforts will ensure that this festival remains a vital resource for empowerment in Newark for years to come.

Registration & Volunteer Information

The Black Boy Joy Festival encourages youth participants and male volunteers to pre-register for the event through the official FLOT NJ website at futureleadersnj.org/reg. The event is free to attend, but pre-registration will help streamline activities and ensure that everyone has the best possible experience.

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