Twelve-year-old Akin Gaddis, a student at the Ranney School in Tinton Falls, reads Langston Hughes‘ poem titled ‘Negro‘ at the Red Bank council meeting Wednesday night as part of a presentation on the borough chapter of New Jersey Orators, a group that teaches public speaking skills to young African-Americans.

Zuri Mondesir, 10, another member of the eight-month-old chapter, recited a poem by Shel Silverstein.

The Red Bank Orators are coached by borough Councilwoman Juanita Lewis.