It was a brisk fall evening, in the midst of a bloody Civil War when 144 Black men filled a church in downtown Syracuse for a historical gathering. One hundred sixty years later, residents, elected leaders, and historians commemorated the anniversary of the National Convention of Colored Men on the corner of East Onondaga and Jefferson Streets. Onondaga Historical Association Curator of History Robert Searing says it was a monumental occasion.
“The Syracuse Convention that met here was arguably the largest and most significant gathering of African American leaders yet assembled in the history of the United States," Searing said. "Approximately 150 luminaries representing 17 states, including the Confederate States of Missouri, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee, all came here.
Mayor Ben Walsh read from a proclamation commemorating the anniversary.
"...And whereas the delegates included prominent writers, church leaders, educators, journalists, physicians and entrepreneurs of their time, including Frederick Douglass, Germaine Logan and Edmonia Highgate," Walsh said. “These meetings were foundational events for black organizing and mobilization in their campaign for freedom, civil and human rights, the right to education and health, and to participate fully in the democratic process, struggles that continue to this day.”
County legislator Nodesia Hernandez, who is African American, says it’s important that youth understand the historical significance of these local events.
"“Black history is American history. And as I look out into the audience today, I see many youth. Right. Thank you for being here. This program today is for you, for you to continue what they have started for you. To continue what we have started.”
Longtime Syracuse resident Julius Lawrence agrees. At age 79, he says this context is important.
"We got to remember that we are all part of history, and we got to remember we are the ones that made America what it is now," Lawrence said. "One of my mantras is, and I said this 20 some years ago, that our youth are not just the future to come, our youth are the future now. What we do for them now we'll determine who and what they would be tomorrow because we have to pass it down to them."
