FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 29, 2013

County Executive McCoy Sponsors Black History Month Presentation on Black Shakers and Underground Railroad
This year marks two historically significant events in the history of African Americans and the United States. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which set the nation on the path of ending slavery. In 1963, hundreds of thousands of Americans marched to the Lincoln Memorial to hear Dr. Martin Luther Jr. deliver the I Have a Dream speech. Just as the Emancipation Proclamation led to the end of slavery, the March on Washington announced to the nation that the end of legal segregation was near. To celebrate those events and to recognize the ongoing impact African Americans have had in the region, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy will host a number of events throughout Black History Month. The county will incorporate the theme: At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. The kick-off event will be held on Saturday, February 2, at 10 a.m. at the Shaker Heritage Society of Albany, at 25 Meeting House Road. The program will include a presentation by Starlyn DAngelo, Executive Director of the Shaker Heritage Society on African American Shakers and Shaker involvement with the Underground Railroad in Albany County. ###
Mary Rozak Director of Communications Office of the Albany County Executive 112 State Street, Room 200 Albany, NY 12207 tel 518.447.7040 ext. 7218 fax 518.447.5589 mary.rozak@albanycounty.com

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