Binghamton University history professor Anne C. Bailey has been tapped by Governor Kathy Hochul for the New York State 400 Years of African-American History Commission.
The commission, according to Bailey, is all about highlighting the lesser-known African-Americans in United States history. Bailey is one of ten New Yorkers appointed to the commission in February 2022.
“The contributions of people of African descent to the building up of our modern world, to say the least, they have been understated, to say the least, they have not been given the credit for 250 years of uncompensated labor,” said Bailey, according to Fox 40. “And that labor led fully and directly into the Industrial Revolution, which is what fuels our modern society today.”
Bailey hopes the commission’s work prompts New Yorkers to consider how African-Americans have shaped their communities throughout history. The commission does not have a first meeting planned as of yet, but Bailey says she is excited to get started.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].