Hudson Mohawk Magazine

In 1962, New York State seized 40 blocks in downtown Albany for construction of the Empire State Plaza. Over 2½ years, the state tore down 1,150 buildings, displacing roughly 400 small businesses, 3,300 households, and 7,000 people — over 5 percent of the city’s population.

This displacement of neighborhoods is the subject of 98 Acres in Albany, a project by Dr. David Hochfelder, SUNY Albany Associate Professor & Director of the Public History Program History. He spoke with David Moore for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Learn more: https://98acresinalbany.wordpress.com

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s interview about the potential conflict of interest surrounding Coeymans Supervisor George McHugh and port development.

Then, we will speak with Dr. David Hochfelder about his project 98 Acres, social history from the time of the building of the Empire Plaza.

Later on, Andrea Cunliffe previews the current performance by Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY’s “Topdog Underdog.”

After that, to close out Black History Month, Marsha Lazarus brings us an interview from the NYS Writer’s Institute. Author, political scientist and professor Terri Givens spoke at SUNY Albany's Feb 21st celebration honoring Dr Martin Luther King.

Finally, we hear this week’s Thom Francis “Talking with Poets” segment in which he interviews Cheryl Rice.

Author, political scientist and professor Terri Givens spoke at SUNY Albany's Feb 21st celebration honoring Dr Martin Luther King. She explains what radical empathy is and its part in bridging racial divides. Poet Kayden Hern, 9 years old, talks about how and why he began writing poetry and shares his poem, "In My Mind."

Produced by Marsha Lazarus

Dear World - Black History Month by anctuary Radio mediasanctuary.org WOOC 105.3 FM Troy

On Saturday, February 18, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators 52 Legislative Conference at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Several resource tables gave out information about state and community services. Willie also attended the Labor Luncheon inside the Convention Center. You will hear in this labor segment from the luncheon chaired by Terry Melvin, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists.

On Saturday, February 18, 2023, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry attended the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators 52 Legislative Conference at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Several resource tables gave out information about state and community services. In this segment, Willie interviewed Tiombe Farley, Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), and Diane Ward, Director of Communication and Marketing at SUNY Schenectady County Community College, at their information table.

Jean-Remy Monnay of the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate NY’s (BTTUNY) is in conversation with Hudson Mohawk Magazines' Andrea Cunliffe. Their 2022-2023 season is at the Capital Repertory Theater, where the company is eager to share their stories from a new stage in their current production of “Topdog Underdog.”

BTTUNY and Capital Rep are collaborating to keep their commitment to diversity onstage, and Jean-Remy Monnay hopes that this production will give the audience something to think about as they leave the theater.

“Topdog Underdog" is at the Capital Rep's Main stage from March 2 through the 12th.

Here's your chance to meet someone who rode 3,000+ miles on a bike to visit various Underground Railroad sites. David Goodrich will be speaking at the Underground Railroad Education Center in Albany on March 3rd about his adventure. Paul Stewart, UREC co-founder, describes the Underground Railroad "movement" as well as some of the exhibits visitors will see at the Center. For details, visit undergroundrailroadhistory.org. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

Cheryl A. Rice is the author of "Love’s Compass," "My Minnesota Boyhood," and co-author with Guy Reed of "Until the Words Came." A Best of the Net nominee, Rice is also the host and founder of the now-defunct "Sylvia Plath Bake-Off," perhaps the world’s first combination poetry reading and baked good competition.

On April 17, 2015, Cheryl read her poem "Coins" at the UAG Gallery on Lark Street as part of the Albany Word Fest.

In our conversation, we talk about that poem, whether family plays a role in her writing, how life experiences shape art, and her time running the "Bake-Off."

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with hearing how Radix Environmental Sustainability Center is working with young people to tap maple trees throughout Albany to make maple syrup. Yum!

Next, Blaise reports on the Disability Day of Mourning coming up on Wednesday March 1st.

After that, as part of his series on ”Is Radio Dying?,” Caelan McPherson interviews Daniel Plaat of WCAA in Albany.

Then Moses Nagel talks with faculty in The Latin American and Caribbean Studies department at the University at Albany.

Finally, Blaise brings us a piece he pre-recorded with Hugh Johnson about “graupel,” the region’s current snowstorm, and more.