Celebrating Black History Month in the Hudson Valley

In honor of Black History Month, Inside + Out is excited to highlight some inspiring upcoming local events throughout February.  Come out and celebrate the rich cultural and community offerings of African Americans past and present in the Hudson Valley and beyond, in spite of a persistent history of oppression and racism.

Meet Frank Waters, lead organizer of Black History Month Kingston, his wife and Co-Founder, Shaniqua Bowden, and their beautiful kids. Thanks to this dynamic couple, the robust programming of Black History Month has consistently grown, making a huge impact locally and beyond.

Frank Waters is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of MyKingstonKids, a community organization that was created to assist parents of Kingston, NY in providing children with the support needed to bring out the best in them. Waters is the visionary for the MyKingstonKids Fest, MyKingstonKids Halloween Fest, and the lead organizer of Black History Month Kingston; a month-long celebration of African-American legacy with over 22 events. He’s also an award-winning entrepreneur and graphic designer, author and artist.

Shaniqua Bowden leads a virtual series at the Kingston Land Trust (KLT) called Land and Resilience that explores how the land can meet the community’s diverse needs. She also leads the KLT’s Land in Black Hands initiative. She has been KLT’s point person on Kingston housing initiatives, including her participation in the development of a CLT in Kingston. Shaniqua is the co-founder of My Kingston Kids. Her community project involvement also includes Black History Month Kingston and the Nubian Cafe. Shaniqua is “dedicated to ensuring that Kingston is a well-rounded community.”

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The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks Special Screening with Q + A 
Friday, February 17th,  7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Ulster Performing Arts Center in Kingston, NY

Based on the bestselling biography by Jeanne Theoharis and executive produced by award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien, takes a deeper dive into Rosa Parks’ often overlooked breadth of accomplishments and the impact of her fight to overcome racial injustice. “The Rosa Parks of American history – the quiet, demure and tired seamstress taking a seat on the bus – is simply a fable. The real Rosa Parks, whom we explore in this film, is a lifelong activist, outspoken strategist and freedom fighter. My hope is that this documentary, alongside Jeanne’s incredible book and the free teacher curriculum that she has created with Zinn Educational Project, helps to redefine Rosa Parks’ legacy and lead to a fuller understanding of her place in history.” —Soledad O’Brien, executive producer. Followed by a conversation with director Yoruba Richen and radio executive Barry Mayo.

Special Story Time in Honor of Black History Month
Saturday, February 18th from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center in New Paltz, NY

Calling all kids! Join a guest reader from the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center in New Paltz for a Black History Month-themed storytime for children ages 2-12. The center is also displaying art by black artists in various locations including framed artists at the Unison Arts & Learning Center.

Land in Black Hands: An Agricultural Feast & Celebration of Black Tenure
Thursday, February 23rd from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Good Works Institute in Kingston, NY

Land in Black Hands is an annual conversation organized by the Kingston Land Trust celebrating Black land tenure and economic innovations. If you are a local grower or interested in cooperative ownership, JOIN US while we break bread together and strategize towards a stronger future. Must register HERE to attend.

Circulation of Our Dollar Networking Event
Saturday, February 25th from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Seasoned Evolution Center in Lake Katrine, NY

Seasoned Gives Circulation of Our Dollar is an initiative that examines the circulation of money within historically disempowered Black communities and the potential widespread impact that regenerative versus extractive economics could have within Black communities. This initiative measures how long the Black dollar circulates within their community. It is a free networking event that provides the Black-owned business community an opportunity to display their products, market their brands and services, and receive a wealth of knowledge through network building and keynote addresses from leaders in the business industry. We focus on education, on economics and how to make conscious decisions on empowering the most underserved community.

“Soul Reflections” Art Exhibit Opening
Saturday, February 25th from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Unison Arts & Learning Center In New Platz, NY

The Margaret Wade-Lewis Center and Unison Arts jointly invite our beloved community to the opening reception of “Soul Reflections,” an exhibition of photographs that reflect the complex and profound lives of those of African ancestry within our River Valley and across the Diaspora. The show presents the work of the Soul Reflections Photography Collective—a group of photographers of color residing in Ulster County—and features work by Ben Eichert, Micah Fornari, Melanie Gonzalez, Maria Fernanda Hubeaut, Kristopher Johnson, and Michael Torres. It will run from Feb. 25 through April 2.

Local Black Authors Unveiled
Sunday, February 26th from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Center for Creative Education in Kingston, NY

Local Black Authors Unveiled Enjoy an afternoon of great literature with local authors and hear excerpts of their books. This event will showcase Kingston’s talent and provide an opportunity for the public to experience and purchase from our very own black authors. Enjoy an afternoon of great literature with local authors and hear excerpts of their books. This event will showcase Kingston’s talent and provide an opportunity for the public to experience and purchase from our very own black authors.

Soul Food Wednesdays!
Wednesdays, February 15th & 22nd from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
People’s Place Cafe in Kingston, NY

The People’s Place is having Soul Food Wednesdays in their Community Café this month. Please come by and share the info! Pay what you can or pay it forward. This is also a wonderful organization to support through donations and volunteerism! “The People’s Place provides assistance to anyone living in Ulster County, especially the unemployed, the physically and mentally challenged, working poor, youth, and the elderly.” DID YOU KNOW: 14% of people are living below the poverty line in Ulster County? That’s about 14,000 people and over 5000 of those are children. The People’s Place is a not-for-profit organization “feeding, clothing and responding to the needs of the people in Ulster County with kindness, compassion and the preservation of human dignity since 1972.” They offer a thrift store, an Empowerment Center and their Community Cafe’ “ensures that every member of the community has a place at the table, where healthy and delicious food is served and patrons pay what they can afford.”

Peg Leg Bates & Ulster County
Month of February from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Ulster County Office Building- 1st floor in Kingston, NY

Peg Leg Bates and Ulster County: Learn about prominent entertainer Peg Leg Bates and his impact on the history of Ulster County. He captivated audiences throughout his life and became a beloved pillar of the community, using funds generated through his love of entertaining to help those fortunate. Peg Leg “was a firm believer that everyone deserved happiness, regardless of race or their condition in life. He spoke to youth groups, taught at dance schools and performed regularly right up to the night before he passed. He was a joyful man whose main goal was to inspire others to rise above their situations and make the most out of life. He was a true inspiration to everyone who met him, and we hope his story continues to inspire for many years to come.” This Historical Profile will be on display in the lobby of the Ulster County Court House. Free admission.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Reverend Martin Luther King

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Connect with Black History Month Kingston  and My Kingston Kids for more information about events happing in Ulster County and Kingston, NY.