Positively Paterson: A Visual Storytelling Project Capturing the Spirit and Richness of Life in Our City
April 25, 2025
Capturing the beauty, resilience, and everyday magic of Paterson, New Jersey, Positively Paterson is a year-long visual storytelling collaborative project by New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) and acclaimed photojournalist Thomas E. Franklin.
Discover the Heart of Paterson — One Frame at a Time
Positively Paterson is a bold, year-long photojournalism initiative by NJCDC in collaboration with award-winning photographer and filmmaker Tom Franklin. This visual storytelling project is dedicated to capturing the beauty, strength, and humanity of Paterson, New Jersey — a city too often defined by its struggles rather than its spirit.
Through Tom’s lens, Positively Paterson will showcase the everyday lives of residents and uncover the hidden gems that give the city its heartbeat — from large cultural gatherings to moments of quiet joy. These are the stories that rarely make headlines but deeply define the character of the city.
This is about delivering a more complete picture of a complicated city — one that honors Paterson’s complexities without ignoring its potential. It’s a visual reminder that hope and hardship can coexist, that beauty lives alongside adversity, and that our communities are so much more than the headlines would have you believe.
The initiative is especially focused on shining a light on underserved and underreported stories — voices and experiences that are too often marginalized or misunderstood. Whether it's an uncharted arts program shaping the next generation or a local elder keeping cultural traditions alive — this project aims to bring those stories forward with care and dignity.
Positively Paterson is not just a celebration — it’s a reset. A shift in the way we talk about and see Paterson. A call to look closer, listen harder, and believe more deeply in the goodness still happening all around us.
Got a Story Worth Telling?
We’re looking for moments that matter — hidden gems, neighborhood events, people making a quiet impact. If you have a story, place, or topic you think deserves a spotlight, we want to hear from you. To submit an event or story idea, email us or send us a message on Instagram or Facebook.
Positively Paterson in Action
Paterson is more than headlines — it’s people, stories, and pride. Here's a look at the powerful moments that bring our community together.
April
Jersey Shore Wave Home Opener at Hinchliffe Stadium
Rain couldn’t stop the excitement as the Jersey Shore Wave played their first official home game in Paterson. Fans braved the cold to cheer on this groundbreaking women’s team, showcasing grit, heart, and a love for the game in a stadium steeped in sports history. 📍 Hinchliffe Stadium
Good Friday Passion Play
Thousands gathered for Paterson’s annual Way of the Cross, a moving reenactment of Jesus Christ’s final hours performed in the streets and inside the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This powerful tradition brought faith and community together in preparation for Easter. 📍 Downtown Paterson
Afro-Peruvian Dance with Socabón Peru
Free weekly dance sessions by Socabón Peru filled the gym at Community Charter School with drum beats, cultural pride, and joyful movement. The group is dedicated to preserving Afro-Peruvian traditions and welcomes dancers of all backgrounds to celebrate this vibrant heritage. 📍 Community Charter School of Paterson
March
Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication
Eight Paterson families received the keys to their new homes during a heartfelt Habitat for Humanity dedication ceremony. With blessings, speeches, and promises of pothole repairs, the event marked a new chapter for residents and a neighborhood once dotted with vacant lots. 📍 Fourth Ward
Jersey Shore Wave: Women’s Football Comes to Paterson
History was made at Hinchliffe Stadium as the Jersey Shore Wave — New Jersey’s newest professional women’s tackle football team — took the field. With empowering speeches, hype videos, and local stars like Paterson’s Monae Clancy, the event showed the city’s commitment to equity in sports. 📍 Hinchliffe Stadium
Paterson’s Interfaith Ramadan Iftar
City Hall opened its doors to more than 300 guests for the 6th annual Iftar, bringing together people of all faiths to break fast during Ramadan. The event featured traditional food from local restaurants, warm speeches, and a true sense of togetherness in one of New Jersey’s most diverse cities. 📍 Paterson City Hall
February
Ramadan Hilal Lighting Ceremony
In Paterson’s Sixth Ward, residents gathered for the annual Hilal Lighting Ceremony to mark the beginning of Ramadan. Community leaders lit a traditional Fanoos lantern, symbolizing unity, reflection, and the spiritual journey of the holy month. This event continues to bring together New Jersey’s largest Muslim population in celebration and solidarity. 📍 Palestine Way
International Mother Language Day
The Bangladeshi community gathered for a night of remembrance and celebration, starting with traditional folk performances at the Great Falls Youth Center and ending with a midnight procession to the Shohid Minar monument.📍 Westside Park
January
Friendly Match at Hinchliffe Stadium
Paterson’s Hinchliffe Stadium came alive with energy as Barcelona Sporting Club from Ecuador faced off against Osner’s FC in a thrilling international “friendly.” Despite cold temps and delays, 3,500 fans filled the stands, enjoying live performances by Ecuadorian artists including Rico Suave himself, Gerardo Mejía. 📍 Hinchliffe Stadium
Dr. Martin Luther King Youth Recognition Awards
Hosted by the Paterson Youth Council, this inspiring event honored local students, educators, and organizations making a difference in their communities. The Brownstone banquet room filled with applause as young leaders and mentors were celebrated for embodying Dr. King’s legacy. 📍 The Brownstone
Point-in-Time Count: Homelessness Survey & Resource Day
AmeriCorps members and volunteers conducted the annual Point-in-Time Count, engaging unhoused individuals at warming centers, soup kitchens, and public spaces throughout Paterson. it was a moment of outreach, reflection, and resilience in the face of a growing housing crisis. 📍 Citywide
The Story Continues
Check back soon for new Paterson stories and get in touch to submit an event or story idea. Email us or get connected:
Tom Franklin
NJCDC