Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Since 50a was repealed in 2020 in New York, the New York Civil Liberties Union has been working to get police misconduct records out to the public. On February 9, 2023, they won a case against the Troy Police Department. Justice Richard McNally ruled in the State of New York Supreme Court that the Troy Police department does need to turn over its records. Bobby Hodgson is a supervising attorney at the NYCLU and leads their work on 50a. He gave Elizabeth Press (EP) this update.

After attending the first film in the three-part Africana Film Series at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Andrea Cunliffe invited the curator of the series, Prof. Kevin Hickey, back onto HMM to go deeper into the ideas that this series explores.

For more information: www.acphs.edu/africana-film-series

The schedule of the series:

07 February Gurumbé: Afro-Andalusian Memories (the African roots of Spanish flamenco)

14 February The Mali-Cuba Connection / Africa MIA (Mali’s influence on Cuban music)

28 February Tango Negro, The African Roots of Tango

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s collection of reflections on Ward Stone, an environmental activist, who passed away.

Then, Willie Terry asks Brother X to respond to the police killing of Tyre Nichols.

Later on, we speak with Professor Kevin Hickey about his African Film Series and the topics within.

After that, Marsha Lazarus asks Fred Miller about culture change within corporations.

Finally, Sina Basila Hickey and photographer Robert Cooper visit the Gordon Parks exhibition.

Fred Miller has been CEO of Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group since 1985 and with the organization since 1979. He spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Marsha Lazarus about Kaleel Jamison's strategies to facilitate culture change and greater collaboration, diversity and inclusion within corporations. His passion and intentions are bold and clear!

This is part 1 of a 4 part interview.

Ward Stone, who served as the state’s wildlife pathologist for over four decades, died this week. Roger Downes of the Sierra Club said, "Ward shone a light on environmental threats long before others could notice them and gave a science-based voice to nature in times of crisis when few other state officials would listen. He always chose to pursue environmental justice first before pointless bureaucracy." We hear from Lynne Jackson, Judith Enck and Ward. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea talking with Mark Emanation about his experience of being Cong. Tonko’s guest for president Biden’s state of the state.

Then, Willie Terry asks Brother X about who he is and his authority on issues of Black history and culture.

Later on, Moses Nagel brings us excerpts from the presentation by Canyon Ryan, from United Tenants, to the Albany Common Council about the need for affordable housing.

After that, Elizabeth Press (EP) reports on how the resident assistants at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are working to unionize.

Finally, Brea Barthel brings us information about a local center collecting critical donations for the people displaced by Monday’s tragic earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Learn how you can help people from Turkey who have been displaced by the horrendous earthquake that has affected over half the country. Zafer Ak talks with Brea Barthel about arrangements for collecting items in this area to be trucked to the Turkish embassy and sent on to Turkey through arrangements with airlines. He lists the current critical needs, especially medical supplies of all types, warm clothing, boots, tents, sleeping bags, and more. [UPDATE:

no longer collecting clothing!] Donations can be dropped off at a collection center in the Mid-City Plaza at 100 Broadway in Menands, 1-5 pm every day through at least 2/17. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine. [One correction: as of Thursday 2/9, the death toll is about 20,000, not the 50,000 stated in the interview. Brea misheard 15,000.)

Public Historian Lacey Wilson talks about collaborative project between Youth FX and the Albany Institute of History & Art's Gordon Parks exhibition with HMM producer Marsha Lazarus. Together they discuss the photos by 7 young photographers, displayed in the Albany Institute's "Lenses" exhibit. This exhibit is the culmination of the Youth FX "Gordon Parks: My Camera is a Weapon" workshop.

Gordon Parks is most well known for his photography. He was a trailblazer who was the first Black photographer for Life magazine. He has many iconic photos, but the exhibition at the American Institute of History and Art focuses on lesser known photographs, focusing on children. Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Sina Basila Hickey visited the exhibition with fellow photographer Robert Cooper and spoke with Diane Shewchuk, curator at the Albany Institute of History & Art.

The exhibition "I, too, am America" has extended its viewing to February 19. More information at: https://www.albanyinstitute.org/exhibition/gordon-parks-i-too-am-america

Resident assistants (or RAs) are those students who work in the dorms and live there for free in exchange for their services. At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute the RAs recently announced that they are unionizing. Elizabeth Press (EP) spoke to Aidan Kaminsky about his experience as an RA and why they are organizing with OPEIU Local 153.