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). These digital postcards feature SOMa residents sharing what this community means to them and why they chose to live and raise their families here. Two Towns, Many Faces positions SOMa residents as ambassadors for this community. In doing so, the Community Coalition on Race works to continue attracting diverse residents to South Orange and Maplewood to support racial integration and inclusion.

2. Mcgehee’sFamily
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.

3. TheKhandwalafamily
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!
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.

4. TheScherzerFamily
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.
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.

5. TheLeeFamily
What do you love most about this community?
How easy 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)

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!
TheDawson-CohenFamily
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,

8. What do you love most about this community?
The direct train to the city. The urban-Brooklyn-NYC
feel.
CeliaCalle
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a
factor for moving here and if so, why?
No, but it’s been a nice bonus to have the diversity
What were the two key reasons why you and your
family selected this community?
I have family here. Plus, tasteful houses.
(courtesy of SOMAsian)
What are your favorite things to do in South
Orange/Maplewood?
Go to the duck pond with my niece and live music all
around town during the summer

9. What do you love most about this community?
The deliberateness of its residence to live as one village,
inclusive, self expressive, diverse.
Minor’sFamily
What are your favorite things to do in South Orange and
Maplewood?
"Talking to Strangers": I enjoy nothing more then engaging my
community at every opportunity. I participate in the political
process, I just organized the SO Democratic Club, "open to all".
Volunteer, sit on Committees. Through this process, I assure
that my children see the what it means to be actively involved
in service to others.
What key reasons why you and your family selected this
community?
Its diversity, Village flavor and proximity to NYC.

10. ThePreoteasafamily
When and why you and your family selected this community?
We decided in to make South Orange and Maplewood our home in
summer 2013. We previously lived in Jersey City for 10 years and
picked SOMA because of the proximity to Manhattan with a good
school system and the liberal attitude (we wanted to have neighbors
who shared of values).
Was ethnic and cultural diversity a factor in moving here?
We were surprised by the celebrating of diversity: everyone is
welcomed here. That matters the most. So, while we didn't strive
for diversity directly, it was an important attribute that indirectly
influenced our decision to move here.
What do you love most about South Orange/Maplewood?
What I love MOST about this area are the people! Everyone is a
friend! There's so many interesting people, from the amazing high
school kids all the way to the senior citizens who share their rich
life. We never for a moment take for granted the friendliness in
SOMA.

11. What do you love most about this community?
We have been here a little over a year but it feels like we have
been here much longer. We have made so many friends and
have really been able to build lasting connections to this
community.
THEEsselFamily
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a factor
for moving here and if so, why?
Yes. We want our children to grow up in a community where
they can be proud of their Jewish and Ghanaian heritage; the
diversity in SOMA provides that.
When and what were the two key reasons why you and your
family selected this community?
When we were looking to buy a house we looked all over
Westchester and northern New Jersey. We wanted a diverse
community with good schools. SOMA was the only town that
had both.

12. What do you love most about this community?
The cultural diversity and its acceptance by residents.
Goldberg’sFamily
Was the ethnic and cultural diversity of SOMA a
factor for moving here and if so, why?
Definitely! This is a model community for our Country!
When and what were the two key reasons why you
and your family selected this community?
I moved to Maplewood from Hoboken in 2002. The two
reasons my ex-wife and I moved here was for our
pending newborn and the proximity to the City by train.