The South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race launches Two Towns, Many Faces as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the welcoming and inclusive nature of South Orange and Maplewood (SOMa). A collection of digital postcards, the project features SOMa residents sharing what SOMa means to them and why they chose to live and raise their families here. Two Towns, Many Faces positions SOMa residents as ambassadors of the community. In doing so, the Community Coalition on Race hopes to continue to attract diversity to South Orange and Maplewood and maintain racial integration.

1. Integrate
Two Towns, Many Faces
Intentionally

2. The Khandwala family
What were the two key reasons why you and your family selected
this community?
We were looking for a town close to Manhattan that would offer what we
were looking for - a diverse, vibrant and worldly population, great schools,
lovely old homes with character, and a walking friendly community.
South Orange hit all of those markers for us and more!
Learn how your family can be featured at www.twotowns.org or call 973-761-6116
Was the racial, ethnic, cultural diversity of SOMA a factor? If so,
why?
This was absolutely essential for us, as we are a
Pakistani-Indian-American family, and highly value the richness and depth
that comes with having a diverse community at all levels, ethnic, racial,
cultural and economic.
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a factor for moving
here and if so, why?
We love that it is still evolving and growing, and that it has a thoughtful
and dedicated and energetic community of people who continue to
enhance and enrich it on a regular basis.

3. Mcgehee Family
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a factor
for moving here and if so, why?
Yes. We wanted to raise our daughter in a community where we
are not the only family of color, and where she has the
opportunity to interact with kids who look like her and kids
who do not.
When and what were the two key reasons why you and your
family selected this community?
2013. No town gave us the vibe that we felt in Maplewood. The
local businesses, organizations, the annual festivals, and the
local arts programs.
What do you love most about this community?
The people. The overall neighborhood vibe. Talking with
parents and families all over town.
Learn how your family can be featured at www.twotowns.org or call 973-761-6116

4. The Lee Family
Learn how your family can be featured at www.twotowns.org or call 973-761-6116
What do you love most about this community?
How easy it is to get involved quickly and feel part of what's
going on. I love how you can, for example, go to the Halloween
parade and see so many familiar faces and families. There's not
a lot of pretension.
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a factor for
moving here and if so, why?
The friends we knew who moved here were Indian-Americans. I
think that it was a factor that they liked the place and found it
to be good for their family.
What were the two key reasons why you and your family
selected this community?
The easy commute to New York and beautiful setting was the
first reason. The second was the amazing people you meet, doing
all sorts of interesting and meaningful work.
(courtesy of SOMAsian)

5. The Scherzer Family
Name two key reasons why you and your family selected
this community?
We wanted a community where we could just be ourselves with
our friends without feeling the need to "impress" or "keep up
with the Jones Family". We lived in 3 other parts of New
Jersey and none of those places gave us the comfort like
Maplewood and South Orange. Actually none of them are even
in the same ballpark.
Learn how your family can be featured at www.twotowns.org or call 973-761-6116
What do you love most about this community?
Our friends and the laughs we share. Oh and all people "get it"
-- we can discuss and disagree on matters from traffic flow to
education planning to issues impacting all parts of the world, yet
you don't have to start the dialogue with explaining to people
that human rights, civil rights, safety, the environment, and the
empowerment of all (yes all forms of diversity) matter.

6. What do you love most about this community?
I love the families we've met! I love that we live in a small town exploding
with city folk! Quite frankly... I love everything! I never knew life could
be like this!
The Dawson-Cohen Family
What key reasons why you and your family selected this community?
We chose SOMA because of it's proximity to NYC, and because we knew
it was a diverse and close knit community, with great public schools, and a
thriving arts community. We also had several friends who'd moved here
and absolutely loved it! So that certainly made the decision easy!
Was the ethnic & cultural diversity a factor for moving to SOMa, and
if so why?
Absolutely! I grew up in the midwest... there was very little diversity, and
very little exposure to different lifestyles. My husband and I wanted to
raise our son in a community that was a melting pot of people, cultures,
arts, music, and ideas.
Learn how your family can be featured at www.twotowns.org or call 973-761-6116