Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith Honored At The Robeson In Peekskill Gala 2024 Event

Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Paul Robeson’s grand-nephew, will be the guest of honor at the Robeson in Peekskill Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

The event takes place at 6:00 pm, at the Hollow Brook Golf Club, located at 1060 Oregon Road in Cortlandt Manor, NY, and at the Community Concert on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, located at 1008 Brown Street in Peekskill, NY.

In commemoration of the 75^th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots, the Living Artist Society will present a program entitled “Here I Stand,” which will be hosted by Aaron Mair and feature Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Mark S. Doss, alongside principal members of Pegasus: The Orchestra. The program will shed light on the riots and celebrate Paul Robeson’s legacy as an iconic artist and advocate for civil rights.

“Peekskill has probably been one of the most progressive communities in Westchester,” said Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith. “What Peekskill does, it’s a remembrance of from whence we have come and where we should be going. I’m pleased and thankful that we are going to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots and celebrate the legacy of Paul Robeson.”

Paul Robeson was one of the most beloved artists of the 20^th century and a figure of international importance in civil rights history. In 1949, Robeson came to sing for peace at an outdoor concert just outside Peekskill to benefit the Harlem chapter of the Civil Rights Congress.

Despite the threat of violence, Robeson and some 20,000 concertgoers showed up in solidarity. The aftermath of this concert would go down in history as the Peekskill Riots, a pivotal moment in our history, where violence was ignited by racism, antisemitism, and a deeply rooted distrust, leaving hundreds of people seriously injured, and setting the stage for what would become the civil rights movement.

Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, Paul Robeson’s grand-nephew, has dedicated his life to service, much like the rest of the Robeson family. Notably, he presided over the U.S. African Development Foundation during the historic first vote in South Africa. He currently serves as the Senior Hope of Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American congregation in Westchester County.  

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“We are honored and grateful that a prominent member of the Robeson family will join us in this endeavor,” said Wendy Talio, Founder of the Living Artist Society and Event Chair. “The Peekskill Riots were a momentous event that shook the nation and are seen as an important milestone in the American Civil Rights movement. We hope that our upcoming events will foster a deeper appreciation of the historic significance of this event and Robeson’s impact on the American Civil Rights Movement.”

The Robeson in Peekskill Project will consist of one performance and two events hosted by Aaron Mair to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots and celebrate the resilience, history, and Paul Robeson’s enduring impact on civil rights and music. Attendees will be transported through history with a performance by Grammy Award-winner Mark S. Doss, and Pegasus: The Orchestra, where they will bring Robeson’s legendary story to life through evocative folk songs, moving spirituals, and classical masterpieces enhanced by powerful spoken word and stunning visuals. There will also be an opportunity to explore a compelling photo exhibition that brings to life the significant events of Peekskill and Cortlandt Manor from 75 years ago and enjoy a meet and greet with the talented artists for a truly memorable experience. Proceeds from the Fundraising Gala will be used to establish the Robeson in Peekskill Foundation, which will promote positive change in our communities through the work of artists.

For more information about the events and to purchase your tickets, please visit https://www.robeson-in-peekskill.org/75th-anniversary-events.

Living Artist Society

Living Artist Society promotes cultural exchange through the arts, to aid in community development and support arts and culture professionals in the lower Hudson Valley. Living Artist Society manages community projects from conception to execution and provides strategic planning and marketing resources to arts and culture professionals in the process, with the aim to support the efficacy of arts and culture to amplify positive impact for all. Living Artist Society is a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Contributions for the charitable purposes of Living Artist Society must be made payable to “Fractured Atlas” only and are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information about Living Artist Society, please visit their website at www.livingartistsociety.com.  

The Robeson in Peekskill Foundation

The Robeson in Peekskill Foundation will promote positive change in our communities through the work of artists. The goal of the Robeson in Peekskill Foundation is to create a shared common knowledge of this history through annual events, educational outreach, and eventually a visible permanent memorial. Inspired by the legacy of Paul Robeson, the Foundation will stimulate the longstanding and important tradition by empowering artists to change the world for the better through their art.

Photo credit: 1) Paul Robeson. 2-3) Peekskill Riots.