A ‘Historic’ Celebration at SUNY New Paltz
A ‘Historic’ Celebration at SUNY New Paltz
As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “…the time is always right to do right.”
Back in February, the Department of Black Studies within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences did just that by hosting its second annual Black History Month Convocation, featuring keynote speaker, New York State Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado.
“As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the courage of those who came before us—leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who dreamed of justice, and Congressman John Lewis, who showed us how to make ‘good trouble’ for the sake of progress,” said Lt. Gov. Delgado, in a news release published prior to the event on February 19. “Their sacrifices paved the way for where we stand today, but our work is not finished, and I am honored to join the New Paltz community to uplift the legacies of those who came before us and look to them for guidance as our fight for progress continues.”
The celebratory event, which drew more than 270 pre-registrants, began with a lively playlist of iconic songs from legendary Black musicians including Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke and Louis Armstrong with candid opening remarks from Leona Omozore, President, Black Student Union, Dr. Nancy Johnson, Associate Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Limina Grace Harmon, Ulster County Legislator, District 20, and Esi Lewis, President of the Margaret Wade Lewis Center in New Paltz.
Dr. Weldon McWilliams, IV, Department Chair of Black Studies, was on hand to serve proudly as the event’s master of ceremony, while Dr. Shelton K. Johnson, Assistant Professor, Black Studies, co-led the event as chair of the Convocation committee.
“A Black History Month Convocation at SUNY New Paltz isn’t just important, it’s essential,” said Johnson. “We’re home to the second-oldest Black Studies department in the country, a testament to the university’s deep-rooted commitment to Black scholarship, cultural awareness, and social justice. Hosting the Convocation honors that legacy while reaffirming our commitment to intellectual diversity and social progress, and provides a dedicated space for critical discussions, historical reflection, and celebration of Black resilience, achievement, and cultural contributions.”
From the collective serenade of ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’, commonly referred to as The Black National Anthem, performed by the Voices of Unity Gospel Choir, to New Paltz students honoring Black culture through shared histories, poetry, gospel, and dance—thanks to the University’s emphatic Golden Roots Afro-Beats Dance Team—the Convocation served as a powerful reminder of the Black experience and its direct and lasting impact on our college campus and in our local communities and country.
The Convocation also paid homage to two dedicated SUNY New Paltz members—Ceista Little-Quinn, Adjunct Professor, Black Studies, and Kristelle Pradieu, a senior studying Black Studies and Women’s Gender, & Sexuality Studies, with the Dr. Zelbert Moore Legacy Award. One of the Department of Black Studies’ foundational members, Moore spent more than 30 years teaching at the University before passing away in 2023.
“Professor Quinn has been a member of the Black Studies family for decades,” said McWilliams. “She has contributed a wealth of knowledge to our students and has taught the Voices of Unity Choir for many, many years. She is proof that there is healing power in Black music, and we are blessed to have her in our department. As for Ms. Pradieu, she embodies all that we hope for our Black Studies students to be. She is strong, courageous, and not afraid to listen and learn. She is someone who has the capacity to change the world, and we’re looking forward to seeing all that she will do.”
To close out the event, Tatiana Perez, a freshman from the Department of Sociology, delivered a rousing vocal rendition of ‘Stand Up’, popularized by the 2019 film, ‘Harriet’.
“I hope attendees walked away from the Black History Month Convocation with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to the ongoing fight for justice,” said Johnson. “One of the most crucial takeaways is that Black History is American History—it is not separate, it is not an afterthought, and it must never be erased. The contributions, struggles, and triumphs of Black people have shaped this country, and understanding that history is essential for building a more just and equitable future.”
A special ‘thank you’ to all involved in making this event a memorable success including SUNY New Paltz students Clifford Johnson and Quincy M. Simmons, Black Studies Lecturer Anthony Dandridge, and the dedicated University members who played a role—large or small—in bringing this year’s Black History Month Convocation to life.
For more on our Black History Month Convocation, see the video recap and photo gallery.