As part of our celebration of Black History Month, the Firm has displayed an informative banner entitled “I AM 400” THE AFRICAN JOURNEY IN AMERICA 1619-2019 in the lobby of the Florham Park office. The “I AM 400” banner highlights the character, culture, and contributions of African Americans through a collection of paintings created by father and son artists, Jerome and Jeromyah Jones.

The subject of these works of art is centered around: Africans before being brought to the shores of America, the 400 years of the African experience in America, and conceptual ideas for a better future. The paintings in this collection were primarily created from the personal perspectives of the artists meeting and painting pioneers on their path of life and who are widely known, as well as unsung heroes that the world needs to know. In some of these portraits, Jerome and Jeromyah show trailblazers who succeeded in breaking barriers within the four-century season of struggle.  Other paintings are allegorical and historical, showing symbols and motifs that explain the journey of a people on a quest for freedom.  Some of the history makers who have autographed their portraits include Dr. Dorothy I Height, Martin Luther King III, Christine Darden, Stevie Wonder, Arthur Ashe, Serena Williams, Earth, Wind & Fire, Shirley Chisholm, Elvatrice Belsches, General Colin Powell, Lonnie Liston Smith, Dr. Wyatt T. Walker, Alex Haley, Xernona Clayton, Dr. L.D. Britt, and more. These paintings not only have the ability to create conversations, but they can compel communities to learn from history and be history in the making.