Project HEART (Help End All Racist Thinking) Brings Its 120+ Students Together for a Closing Program

Project HEART (Help End All Racist Thinking) ended the school year by bringing together its 120+ Newark students for a closing program at the Newark School of Global Studies.

The program is the creation of Olivia Shidler, a Milburn High School student and member of Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills.  During the summer of 2020, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Olivia, who was then in the 6th grade, felt that she had to do something to help stop racism.  She created Project HEART with the idea of teaching those younger than herself about breaking down biases. The Director of the Religious School at Temple B’nai Jeshurun, Abra Lee, invited Olivia to teach Kindergarten through 2nd grade students, her Project HEART program.

Using picture books with award-winning art and literature, she taught the students how the value of b’tzelem elohim (that we are all created in God’s image) roots us in building bridges.

Olivia was helped by Ahavas Sholom to expand the program into Newark, with the goal of bringing students of all backgrounds together to help create a more just world.  Ahavas Sholom President, Eric Freedman, introduced her to Sanaz Hojreh, an arts education consultant; Dr. Devonne De Nose, Director of Visual & Performing Arts, Newark Board of Education; Dr, Larisa Skinner, Department Chair, Department of Music, Visual Art, Cinematography & Media at Arts High School in Newark; and Daryl Stewart, Newark Arts Director of Programs, who helped her bring the program into Newark schools.

Then, at Ahavas Sholom’s Jewish Museum of New Jersey, Olivia met Mary Ojo and Jade Toseafa, visual artists from Newark Arts High, who were part of the Museum’s Camp Revival exhibit, where their self-portraits were featured. Olivia, Mary, and Jade are now teammates, working together on Project HEART.

Dr. Devonne De Nose, Jade Toseafa, Mary Ojo, Olivia Shidler, Dr. Larisa Skinner

Olivia, Mary, and Jade launched Project HEART in Newark Public Schools on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and then throughout the remainder of the school year, they visited 6 Newark K-2 classrooms, for 3 sessions each, teaching a total of about 120 Newark Public School students.

This year’s Project HEART program culminated with an event held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the Newark School of Global Studies, at which the 120 or so students from all 6 participating elementary school classes came together for a session of building identity, unity, and community.

During their sessions, back at their schools, the students had made portraits of themselves.  

Now at Global Studies, Olivia, Mary, and Jade gave the students gifts of framed copies of their selfies, with a poem that encapsulated Project HEART’s message attached on the back.

The students sang “So many colors” and “The more we get together” as a group with tremendous heart and saw a slideshow of all their self-portraits, showing them how much of their interests they shared.

After the event, Olivia said, “It was incredible to see the energy and excitement for Project HEART. We even had one class from Ridge Street School come wearing hats they had created, decorated with ‘Our Hearts are all the Same!’It was one of the most touching moments I’ve experienced in my life and made me realize the impact of this program, which felt amazing. 

Olivia added, “The best part has been collaborating with Jade and Mary, who have become wonderful friends, as well as with Director De Nose who has become a true mentor, Dr. Skinner, an incredible support, and Ms. (Meshele) Hardy (Department Chairperson of Science, World Language and Visual & Performing Arts at Global Studies) who hosted us beautifully at Global Studies!”