Opinion

Op-Ed: S.T.A.R. Five-Year Anniversary

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As founder and CEO of Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.), I am deeply honored to celebrate our organization’s fifth anniversary—a milestone made possible by the unwavering support of the New Canaan community and our many partners. Five years ago, S.T.A.R. was born out of a collective call for justice following the murder of George Floyd. What began with a march through our town and a commitment to partnership with the New Canaan Police has grown into a movement that empowers residents with the tools, resources, and brave spaces needed to drive transformative change. Our mission remains clear: to ensure that everyone in New Canaan feels they belong. Over the years, S.T.A.R. has brought people together through impactful programming—from our Juneteenth celebrations drawing hundreds, to youth art showcases that elevate student voices on social justice, our annual fund-raiser, Soul•Fête which is a celebration of elevated black cuisine and culture, and many more.

Around Town

‘Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion’ Set for Feb. 26 at Carriage Barn [Q&A]

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The second edition of “Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion”—the only fundraiser for local nonprofit Stand Together Against Racism or ‘S.T.A.R.’— is coming to the Carriage Barn Arts Center 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 (tickets here). We put some questions to S.T.A.R. founder Fatou Niang ahead of the big night. Here’s our exchange. ***

What is “Soul•Fête: A Culinary Immersion” and how does this event tie into the mission and work of S.T.A.R.?

Around Town

S.T.A.R.’s ‘Juneteenth’ Celebration Set for Next Wednesday, June 19 [Q&A]

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New Canaan nonprofit organization Stand Together Against Racism, or S.T.A.R., will hold its annual Juneteenth celebration next week. Free and held on Wednesday, June 19 at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. We put some questions to S.T.A.R. Founder and CEO Fatou Niang ahead of the festivities. Here’s our exchange. ***
New Canaanite: STAR.’s Juneteenth celebration at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society started out as a large gathering and it grew again in its second year.

Around Town

‘Through Your Looking Glass’ Student Social Justice Art Showcase Opens at Carriage Barn Arts Center

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The number of students contributing their work to an annual social justice art exhibition doubled in its second year, organizers say. Launched by Stand Together Against Racism or “S.T.A.R.,” in partnership with The Glass House and Carriage Barn Arts Center, the exhibition— titled “Through Your Looking Glass” —saw student contributors increase from 21 in its inaugural year to 45 this year, according to S.T.A.R. Founder Fatou Niang. “I’m amazed,” Niang told NewCanaanite.com amid the buzz of an opening reception held Saturday at the Carriage Barn, where crowds of people took in dozens of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculpture, mixed-media pieces and other art work contributed by students and professional artists brought in as a special part of this year’s show. “I’m amazed because we all know art has a power of reflecting society,” Niang continued. “And the mirror that these kids have sent us through their art is just stunning.

Around Town

Hundreds Attend S.T.A.R. Celebration of Juneteenth in New Canaan

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The NewCanaanite.com Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Carriage Barn Arts Center. One hundred fifty eight years ago, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, marking the end of slavery in the United States. On Monday, New Canaan residents came together to celebrate the milestone, making this the first Juneteenth celebration in New Canaan since the federal government and state of Connecticut made it a legal holiday. “This is amazing, we have at this point, almost 400 people have signed up to come, and last year we were at 160, so more than double,” Fatou Niang, founder and chair of Stand Together Against Racism, or “S.T.A.R.,” which organized the “Hearts of Freedom” Juneteenth celebration, as hundreds of town and area residents gathered at the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society for live music, food and games on a hot summer day. “We are so blessed that the community is embracing it, and we hope every year to have more and more people to the point that we can move it to Waveny,” Niang said. 

Monday’s event was the second-ever Juneteenth celebration in town.