Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan declares February 2022 Black History Month, with special recognition of this year’s national theme of Black Health and Wellness 

The Ulster County Office Building will host the first of two exhibitions from February 1st-28th featuring archival documents on slavery in Ulster County and centering Sojourner Truth  

The Ulster County Office Building will be lit in red, yellow and green for Black History Month

The Ulster County Restorative Justice Center will present Breaking the Cycle with featured guest Antwan Wakely on February 22nd at 6pm

KINGSTON, N.Y. - Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan issued a proclamation on February 1st at a ceremony outside the County Office Building, to honor the history of our Black communities and declare February 2022 Black History Month in Ulster County, with special recognition of this year’s Black History Month theme of Black Health and Wellness. County Executive Ryan announced several actions planned to honor the achievements of Black leaders and the community, then the County Office Building was lit in red, yellow and green - traditional colors used to celebrate Black History Month.

“We recognize that in spite of the extraordinary achievements and contributions of the Black community, racism and intolerance persist in our society, and we are committed to continue the fight for equality and to ensure justice for all people,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “I am proud to declare February 2022 Black History Month and call upon the residents of Ulster County to observe this month with respect for the history of, and significant contributions by our Black communities to the American experience.”

For the month of February 2022, the Ulster County Office Building at 244 Fair Street in Kingston will feature lighting in red, yellow and green, in recognition of Black History Month.  Inside, a display will be on view from February 1st-28th during building hours. Titled Slavery in New York: It Happened Here, this is the first of two exhibits, and will center Sojourner Truth: From Slavery to Activism. The second exhibit will be unveiled during Juneteenth. The exhibition is a collaboration between the Ulster County Clerk’s Office and the Ulster County Surrogate’s Court. Additional images relating to the life of Sojourner Truth will be on view at the Ulster County Surrogate’s Court on the third floor of the Ulster County Office Building. The courtroom is open to the public for viewing, by reservation, on Fridays. Contact nshultis[at]nycourts[dot]gov to make a reservation.

“It was a privilege to work with the Ulster County Surrogate’s Court on the new Sojourner Truth exhibit,” Ulster County Clerk Nina Postupack said. “The archival material in the Clerk’s Office provides a lens into the past and highlights the struggles the Black community has endured for hundreds of years. Black History Month is the perfect opportunity to showcase some of these documents to the public.

“This is an historical moment in time for Ulster County, and it’s been a long time coming,” Ulster County Human Rights Commissioner Tyrone Wilson said. “The lighting of our County Office Building in honoring and acknowledging the contributions of people of color here in Ulster County past and present is so important. This moment shows humanity and solidarity amongst the people and hopefully a real sense of community coming together.”

On February 22nd, the Ulster County Restorative Justice Center will present Breaking the Cycle with featured guest Antwan Wakely, a formerly incarcerated person who will share how he broke the recidivism cycle. The program begins at 6pm in person at the Restorative Justice Center, 733 Broadway in Kingston, and will be livestreamed @blackhistorymonthkingston on Facebook. Please register for in-person attendance by emailing kmap[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us.

For additional event details, visit @UlsterNY on Facebook.

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