Freedom Walk 2026 Comes to Poughkeepsie Next Week
#FREEDOMWALK2026 is a modern day retracting of the Underground Railroad celebrating the 30th anniversary of Historian Anthony Michael Cohen’s inaugural journey of the same route. We are excited that Poughkeepsie was chosen as one of only ten cities where Tony and his team will establish their base of operations!
JOIN THE CELEBRATION!
May 27, 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Local Walk #1: The Role of Local Churches in the Anti-Slavery Movement
Gather at the Family Partnership Center parking lot, 29 North Hamilton St. This walk will highlight the places of worship and people that were influential in the anti-slavery movement, including Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church, First Congregational Church, and Second Baptist Church. In case of rain, an indoor program is planned at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, 67 South Randolph Ave., from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
May 28, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Oakwood Friends School, 22 Spackenkill Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY, 12601
A Bonfire Gathering with Historian Anthony Michael Cohen
Please join us for moments of silence, song, and a sharing from Tony Cohen about his journey - what it was like in the past, what it is like today, and what it stands for now, in this particular day and time.
May 29, gather at 3:45 pm, program starts promptly at 4:00 pm
Local Walk #2: River Trail to Freedom and Walkway Over the Hudson
Please join us at the Celebrating the African Spirit memorial in Waryas Park, then walk to Upper Landing Park, across the Walkway Over the Hudson, and end at the Sojourner Truth statue to highlight the history of the anti-slavery movement and influential leaders in our area. In case of rain, an indoor program is planned at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, 67 South Randolph Avenue, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.
May 31, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Family Partnership Center, 29 North Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
The community is joyously invited to celebrate this historic journey with Tony Cohen and his team., This event will honor the courage, hope, faith and unity that shaped this pivotal chapter in American history with a welcome from Mayor Yvonne Flowers, blessing, music, reflections, remarks from Tony Cohen and refreshments.
#FREEDOMWALK2026 launched from Sandy Spring, Maryland on May 4 and concludes in Ontario, Canada on July 4. For more information see: https://www.menare.org/freedomwalk2026-about
Events are free, no registration necessary, meet at event place and time.
#FREEDOMWALK2026 is a once-in-a-lifetime event being led by The Menare Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with community partners including:
The Gillespie Forum
Celebrating the African Spirit
Poughkeepsie Public Library District
The Sadie Peterson Delaney African Roots Branch Library
Mayor Yvonne Flowers
Jamar Cummings, City Chamberlain
Dutchess County Historical Society
Dutchess County Interfaith Council
ENJAN (End the New Jim Crow Action Network)
Family Partnership Center
Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Christ Episcopal Church Outreach Committee
The Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie
Hudson Valley Gospel Singers & Musicians
The Living History Theater and The Afro Living Library
Somatic Historian: Patina Apis Nikki
Mid-Hudson Anti-Slavery History Project
Oh, Freedom! Quilting Project
Young Adult Committee, Northern Dutchess NAACP
Nubian Directions II, Inc.
Poughkeepsie Friends Quaker Meeting
Oakwood Friends School
Walkway Over the Hudson/Friends of the Walkway
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie
Adams Fairacre Farms
Ulster Savings Bank
Stewart’s Shops
