In a letter to all law enforcement and local government officials in the Adirondack region, the Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI) announced its Community Policing Initiative, designed to help local law enforcement meet the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 203: New York State Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. [Read more…] about Adirondack Diversity Initiative Offers Policing Program
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NYC Park ‘Spaces’ Recognize African American Contributions, But
A press release from the New York City Parks Department announced “In honor of the 51st anniversary of Black Solidarity Day … 10 park spaces” would be named in “honor of the Black experience in New York City.” This was intended to fulfill a pledge made by the Parks Department “to demonstrate how it stands in solidarity with the Black Community in its fight to combat systemic racism.”
The newly named park spaces recognize national figures like Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Elston Howard, and Ella Fitzgerald who all had New York ties and were local community leaders. Baldwin gets a lawn in Harlem. Langston Hughes gets a playground. Elston Howard, a baseball MVP for the Yankees, gets a baseball field near Yankee Stadium. Ella Fitzgerald gets a playground in Queens. [Read more…] about NYC Park ‘Spaces’ Recognize African American Contributions, But
Adirondack Diversity Director Receives Stewardship Award
Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve has awarded Nicole “Nicky”’ Hylton-Patterson, the executive director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative, their 2020 Wild Stewardship Award in recognition of her initiating and elevating difficult conversations about race, shared power, and influence in the Adirondack region over the past year. [Read more…] about Adirondack Diversity Director Receives Stewardship Award
Transgender Day of Remembrance Event Set For Friday
Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20th. It’s a day to memorialize those who have been killed or murdered as the result of transphobia, (hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming/non-binary people) and those who died as a result of suicide.
This day serves to bring attention to the continued violence and non-acceptance endured by the transgender community which we see at an alarming new rate emanating from federal government against its own people. [Read more…] about Transgender Day of Remembrance Event Set For Friday
Adirondack North Country Assoc Meeting To Focus On Racial Equality
Adirondack North Country Association’s 2020 annual meeting has been set for Friday, September 18th. This year’s meeting will focus on how racial equity relates to three economic sectors: local food systems, the entrepreneurial economy and the clean energy sector. [Read more…] about Adirondack North Country Assoc Meeting To Focus On Racial Equality
2020 State of the Adirondack Park Report Issued
The Adirondack Council released its 2020-21 State of the Park report subtitled “Landscape of Hope,” noting that the park has become a place of refuge during the COVID-19 crisis, which has only increased the park’s popularity.
The report also notes that the state is beginning to make progress on addressing the overused trails and campsites of the High Peaks Wilderness Area, detailing what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. A third major focus of the report – taking up its entire center spread – is the pending sale of the 36,000-acre Whitney Estate in Long Lake, Hamilton County. [Read more…] about 2020 State of the Adirondack Park Report Issued
LGBTQ Pride Month Is History In Action
LGBTQI+ Pride Month is normally associated with colorful parades and marches and speeches by local, regional, and national leaders, but it’s part of an important political history as well.
Out of all the months in the year, why June? [Read more…] about LGBTQ Pride Month Is History In Action
Adirondack Anti-racism Online “Listen-in” Series
Thousands have gathered for peaceful protests across Northern New York in recent weeks, as people and communities seek ways to engage in the broader national movement for racial justice.
In response, the Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI), in partnership with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), will host a series of virtual “Listen-in” and “Teach-in” sessions focused on mobilizing the community on issues of racial equity and transformational justice in America. [Read more…] about Adirondack Anti-racism Online “Listen-in” Series
Slavery in New York: An Angolan Case Study
Angolans are in the news. Recently there has been a surge in migrants from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After a decade of hardly any migration from these countries, suddenly the numbers have increased specifically to Portland, Maine and to San Antonio, Texas. The surge has reportedly overwhelmed some in those communities. Central African migrants are less likely to have relatives already in the country to whom they can turn for assistance. [Read more…] about Slavery in New York: An Angolan Case Study
Jackie Archer: A North Country Civil Rights Inspiration
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspired a national movement and remains a catalyst for peaceful change after he was martyred for the cause. He was hardly beloved by all: many felt threatened by him, and when he protested against the war in Vietnam, many criticized him for losing focus and supposedly deserting the primary goal of addressing racial inequality.
Millions supported his efforts, but it was a chaotic time, filled with uncertainty about the future. With the bitterness, hatred, and violence that was revealed, even on the nightly TV news, it sometimes seemed doubtful that true change could ever be achieved.
But Dr. King wasn’t alone as a leader. Others took up the mantle at all levels of society, including in Clinton County. [Read more…] about Jackie Archer: A North Country Civil Rights Inspiration