Director-Actor-Playwright-Professor — Dr. Eunice S. Ferreira seeks to engage her students in the depth and breadth of the human experience as played out on the metaphoric stage and connecting young people to their world via theater across many communities.

Rev. Michael D. Bell of Saratoga Springs’ Historic Dyer Phelps Memorial AME Zion Church has pastored and made activist contributions throughout WNY, CNY, the Southern Tier, and North Country regions, including his current work as a NYS Poor People’s Campaign leader.

OURstory Treasure Hunt invites you to begin to uncover and explore Saratoga Springs’ history of our People of Color … we cannot truly know ourselves and how we have arrived where we are today until we re-weave the very fabric of OUR shared story — which is a much more color-full, vibrant and extraordinary tapestry of Humanity than our history books, classrooms, and memories have represented over the centuries.

Shining warmly from the very heart of the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge … Sherry Anderson, a quiet powerhouse with an engaging smile, easy laugh, and spine of steel, anchors the club’s bar. While serving her patrons, she sees and hears it all — and still welcomes us back, again and again. You can feel the love, right?

Jacob Smith (Class ‘24, Skidmore College) is a journalist and a Spoken Word artist. A NYC native, he is no stranger to using words to connect — the stand-out feature about Smith and his words is the intentional action he threads through them: action before his words, action under his words, action continuing even after his words have been propelled out into the public. Case in point: Saratoga Springs’ Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609.

JOY KING’s “roots & shoots” in Saratoga Springs are as deep and strong as they are wide and reaching. She covers so many areas of community life here, it’s hard to know when she stops to recharge her batteries!

There’s something very special about Bob Reed — perhaps it’s the confidence of man who has played in the Big League or his ease with bringing people into his conversation. Or is it his smile? Actually, it’s what is underlying all of that … a huge heart with a deep mission to help the “home team” stay engaged and get better at this game we all call “Life”!

Through the decades, the Frederick Allen Elks Lodge has represented the vibrant strength of our African American community … come by for a visit and bring a friend, then stay for the community! After all, our community IS your community — and whatever is coming “tomorrow” is going take ALL of us coming together “today”!

“Collages, whether made of words, paper, objects or cloth, have always been my means of expression,” says fabric artist Francelise Dawkins. “… It is about exploring that sense of oneness, born out of welcoming the difference we are.”

Professor Stephen J. Tyson, Sr. brings a warm, vibrant depth to everything he encounters — his canvas of choice, his curated exhibits, his studio classrooms … and his community here in Saratoga Springs.

Where does one begin when celebrating one of Saratoga Springs’ most vibrant “jewels” … Daesha Devón-Harris? Let’s start with “home” … the very intersection of Harris’s artistry, teaching and community action.

Camille Daniels and Jason Golub, residents and professionals of Saratoga Springs, leaned into co-leadership of one of the most challenging, confrontational, and exhaustive efforts our community has experienced in the past two decades — one that has perhaps the greatest potential to positively impact our BIPOC community members, as well as the future of Public Safety for all of us.

There is a new memorial bench in Saratoga Springs' Congress Park -- community friends joined together to honor Tuskegee Airman LT. COLONEL CLARENCE W. DART, SR.!

CAROL DAGGS / JAZZAGE is a true Renaissance Woman, who has used the journey of her life to add accomplishment on top of accomplishment.

“Much of my work is a representation of the beauty and diversity of the African Diaspora; the arts can be a powerful vehicle for change.” Marcus Kwame, illustrator of “The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel History”

A FREE community fridge serving Saratoga Springs, NY … Take What You Need and Give What You Can!

“Be inspired. Then inspire.” D. Colin, Performer, Author, Host, Writing Coach, Actor and vibrant, vital VOICE of the CapDist region.