SUNY Empire’s Black Male Initiative Hosts Black History Month Celebration

(MANHATTAN, NY - February 27, 2023) This past weekend, SUNY Empire’s Black Male Initiative hosted a 2023 Black History Month Celebration: Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement event at our 4 Park Ave Location. There was a total of 80 people who came together to discuss this important topic in celebration of Black History Month.

Joseph (Joe) Washington, emeritus professor at SUNY Empire State, discussed jazz and the civil rights movement in celebration of Black History Month. Throughout his talk, guests listened to quintessential studio recordings and engaged in a discussion about the importance of jazz during this critical time in American History. The celebration was held at SUNY Empire’s Manhattan location at 4 Park Avenue and was sponsored by the Black Male Initiative.

“Thanks for the life-affirming program offered this past Saturday! In our current culturally-revanchist times, it's helpful to review the role artists (in this case, musicians, writers, and dancers) can play in movements toward social justice.” — Carl S. ’84. Carl earned a B.P.S. from SUNY Empire and attended the Metro Center in NYC.

"As usual, Joe was fantastic - he is a living legend. The choice of musical selection was gripping and emotional. One of the most riveting of Joe's "advice" in his dialogue was his challenge to us that despite the vicious attempts to silence and "bury" a history and tradition so vital to the shaping of America, we must take up the mantle of responsibility within families and communities to continue teaching that culture, legacy, and history. Right on!" —  Lear Matthews, SUNY Empire retired faculty member