Issue 1: February 2023

What you had to say.

“Congratulations on an amazing Abolitionist Freedom Walk!!...I had the nicest conversation with my new 77-year-old friend, Samuel, from Queens. He and his wife came to CNY specifically for this walk and loved the area so much they decided to stay an extra day and continue their adventure.”

Cindy Gambell, CenterState CEO

We didn't forget your shirts!

There was never a group of more understanding people than the inaugural attendees of the Abolition Walk. Imagine our horror when, after opening the last box of shirts, we discovered that most of the Large and Extra Large shirts were missing!!!! We sheepishly explained and you kindly slung your size small shirt over your back, donned a cap and marched on. For this we will be eternally grateful. We have the list of people who asked to be sent the correct size shirt. They have been ordered and we intend to mail or deliver them to you by March 1st.

Mark you calendars now for Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Registration opens April 2023

Learn More»

Photo credit to Clifford Oliver

Who was that wonderful man who was singing?

No one in the Village of Canastota on that sunlit Sunday morning will forget the stirring sounds of Max Smith singing “Oh Freedom” a cappella, to a crowd of 130 on the edge of the old Erie Canal. In keeping with the ACTUAL history , Max also sang as you made your way over Madison County’s beautiful hillsides to Clockville. Max, former Mayor of the City of Oneida, NY, is descended from slaves on both sides of his family who lived and worked in Peterboro. He has devoted an immense amount of time and heart to the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum and we are very grateful for the music and meaning he brought to the first Abolition Walk.

Heartfelt Thanks to the Coach!

Syracuse University Women’s Basketball Coach, Felisha Legette-Jack, who , was suffering from a nasty cold that morning, never-the-less made her way

to Canastota in the early morning hours of Sunday October 23rd to kick off the walk. The crowd was mesmerized as she told a moving story about her mother and the determination required to end racism. We will always be grateful to her for helping us to herald the proud abolitionist history of Upstate New York.

Grateful!

Our Champion sponsor for 2022 was National Grid, and we are forever grateful to them for this show of confidence. Even more important to us is the fact that Gwendolyn Saunders, Senior Community Relations Manager for National Grid, graciously joined us that day, brainstormed ideas on the future and visited the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum.

Photos capture the spirit

Photographer Clifford Oliver of Albany NY, captured the brilliant fall leaves, hopeful faces and stirring reenactments that marked the inaugural Abolition Walk. If you would like a booklet of his photographs, please contact him via email. Additional pictures can be found on our website or his website. Take a look! Chances are good they will bring a smile to your face and you’ll find a shot of yourself or a friend who joined you that day.

Your ideas are wanted!

Tell us how to improve, what you liked, and what you didn’t like about our first Abolition Walk by commenting on our website.

Add your friends and organizations to our mailing list! 

We will be sending this newsletter monthly. If you have friends and organizations who you would like to join you for this year's walk, please send their email addresses to us and we will send them a link to "opt-in".