Upcoming Meetings
Upcoming Meetings
Check back later for the next scheduled meeting.
Past Events
Past Events
Established by Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Order, the New York State Commission on African American History will bring New Yorkers together through events, scholarly research, and other activities to promote a greater understanding of the experiences and achievements of African Americans and people of African descent to New York State.
November 16, 2022
The inaugural meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black History located in historic Harlem, New York. A recording of the public meeting is available on YouTube.
February 9, 2023
The second meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on February 9, 2023 at Philips Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York. Philips Hall Manor provides a unique window into early Colonial era life in New York. However, the building, past exhibits, and lectures did not include the story of all the individuals that lived and worked here. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, a $20 million grant was provided to rehabilitate the site and to include new exhibits that document the story of the indigenous people and enslaved Africans, whose work and trade allowed the Philipse family to prosper during the pre-Revolutionary era. With these exhibits, a fuller picture and history is shared. In addition, on the waterfront near Philipse Hall Manor, an urban heritage garden includes six lifted bronze statues representing the six enslaved Africans living at the manor, who in 1787, were among the first to be freed in the United States — 76 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. A recording of the public meeting is available on YouTube .
March 28, 2023
The third meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held March 28, 2023 at University at Albany, Campus Center Ballroom in Albany. The forum highlighted "Black Women Engagement in Our Democracy and Society." A recording of the public meeting is available on YouTube.
June 12, 2023
The fourth meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on June 12, 2023 at Buffalo & Erie County Library. The meeting theme was Looking Back While Moving Forward: Recognizing the long-standing presence, rich contributions, and pride of African Americans in Western New York. A recording of the public meeting is available on YouTube.
Photos
Photos
Members of the New York State Commission on African American History. From left to right: Secretary of State and Chairperson of the NYS Commission on African American History Robert J. Rodriguez; Vice Chairperson of NYS Commission on African American History Dr. Hazel Dukes; Chancellor Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr.; Dr. John R. Torrey; Ms. Joy Bivins; Dr. Malik Small; Mr. William E. Berry, Jr.; Dr. Laurie Woodard; Dr. Kishi Ducre; Dr. Henry Taylor; Ms. Jennifer Jones Austin; Dr. Anne C. Bailey; and Mr. Reginald Rene. Not pictured: Dr. Christina Greer and Mr. Owen Steed.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
Cecila Tucker Myers provided a musical performance at the February 9, 2023 meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
President Pro Tempore and New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins provided remarks at the February 9, 2023 meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History at Philips Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
Lavada Nahon, Interpreter of African American History for the New York State Parks Bureau of Historic Sites (far right) provides a tour of Philipse Manor to Members of the NYS Commission on African American History — Dr. Hazel Dukes, Dr. Kishi Ducre, and Dr. Malik Small.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The third meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held March 28, 2023 at University at Albany, Campus Center Ballroom in Albany.
The third meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held March 28, 2023 at University at Albany, Campus Center Ballroom in Albany.
The fourth meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on June 12, 2023 at Buffalo & Erie County Library.
The fourth meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on June 12, 2023 at Buffalo & Erie County Library.
The fourth meeting of the New York State Commission on African American History was held on June 12, 2023 at Buffalo & Erie County Library.
The New York State Commission on African American History caucus.
The New York State Commission on African American History inaugural meeting held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black History located in Harlem, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History holds a public meeting.
The New York State Commission on African American History holds a public meeting.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.
The New York State Commission on African American History held a public meeting on February 9, 2023 at Philipse Hall Manor in Yonkers, New York.