When Black History Month was first recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, he called on people to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the contributions of Black Americans from civil rights activists to leaders in industry, politics, culture, the arts and more. So often when we learn about the history of our country and accomplishments of our predecessors, we can feel a disconnect…like these moments happened in a distant time and place because we weren’t there to witness them. As some of our North Colonie students recently learned, we live in an area very much involved in the fight to end slavery, segregation, and racism.

Less than a week ago, our seventh grade students at Shaker Middle School had the opportunity to attend a performance of “Friend of a Friend: Tales of the Underground Railroad.” The play, one of Capital Repertory Theatre’s On-The-Go! in-school touring productions, educated students about the life of Saratoga Springs resident Solomon Northup. Once a free man, Mr. Northup was unlawfully kidnapped and sold into slavery in the South, where he remained for twelve years. The Capital Region was an important stop on the Underground Railroad and this play helps shine a light on the “too-often neglected accomplishments” of many of the Black Americans who lived right here in the Capital Region, who worked to establish the freedom and equality of African Americans across the United States. Northup was one of those people.

As part of our celebration of Black History Month here in North Colonie Central School District, each week, we will be highlighting a Black leader who was influential in connection with this year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor.” One of the leaders we will highlight is Frederick Douglass, also an escaped slave who became a powerful abolitionist not only in the State of New York, but also right here in the Capital Region. Mr. Douglass is the person who encouraged Solomon Northup to put his life story in writing, inspiring the book, Twelve Years a Slave. That book was made into a movie, both of which gave readers and viewers an intimate and heartbreaking glimpse into the personal journey of a man who lost his name, freedom and dignity, yet never stopped fighting to get it all back.

In the 1950’s, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. popularized the idea of the “Beloved Community.” It is the idea of a community in which everyone is loved and cared for, absent poverty, hunger and hate. It is a community of inclusivity, love, justice and non-violence. Dr. King viewed it as a realistic goal, but one that couldn’t be created by any one person, organization or sector. He believed education would play a pivotal role in the creation of the Beloved Community and here in North Colonie, we are committed to working toward justice and creating a more equitable society for all of our students, families, and those that live in our community. We will use this month not only to educate our students about some of the many influential Black leaders in our history, but to celebrate these leaders’ accomplishments and take inspiration as we strive to create a more perfect beloved community in which every individual is loved, respected, and cared for.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Skeals
North Colonie Superintendent

Southgate Elementary

Black History Month: A Message from Superintendent Kathleen Skeals