FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2025
City Hall to Host Youth Event to Kick-Off Spring Break
Sojourner Truth: From Slavery to Freedom to Feature Performers, Photo Booth, and Exhibitions
KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that the City of Kingston will host a special spring break kick-off event for youth and families on Thursday, April 10 at 4:00pm at City Hall. The event is free, open to the public, and appropriate for ages 8 and up.
Sojourner Truth: From Slavery to Freedom event will celebrate the legacy of Isabella Baumfree, who was enslaved in Ulster County before she bravely took her first step to freedom and later became Sojourner Truth. The event will begin at 4:00pm with performances by celebrated actress Aixa Kendrick portraying Sojourner Truth and Ghanian drummer/singer/storyteller Maxwell Kofi Donkor. The event will also feature a photobooth courtesy of My Kingston Kids.
“We are thrilled to continue our programming around the Sojourner Truth statue that is proudly on display at City Hall, generously on loan from SUNY New Paltz until August,” said Mayor Noble. “With the statue, we have a unique opportunity to provide education to our community, and I want to thank our Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs and our event partners for helping us to put this incredible local icon into historical and cultural context for the next generation.”
On the first floor at City Hall, Trina Greene’s bronze statue Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom, on loan from SUNY New Paltz, is on view until August 2025. On the ground floor, the FREEDOM! art exhibition is also on view until August.
“I’m so happy to host a program, just for kids, that tells the true story of our local heroine Sojourner Truth and her brave walk to freedom through acting, drumming, singing, storytelling and the visual arts,” said Kitt Potter, Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs. “I look forward to welcoming youth of all ages to celebrate her great legacy with us.”
RSVPs are required, and all children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please RSVP your entire party to [email protected].
For more information, please visit https://engagekingston.com/sojourner-truth-first-step-to-freedom.
Aixa Kendrick is a stage and screen actress, Lincoln Center Lab Director, New Works/Jerome Foundation Playwright recipient, and Primordial Art Ninja Starchild. Having finished her fourth tour as the formidable General Oni Balewa in Layon Gray’s production of The Dahomey Warriors, she was nominated for Best Lead Performer in a Play by the Broadway World Awards. She studied the life and Dutch-American lingo before delivering her real-to-life portrayals of Sojourner Truth on stage.
Maxwell Kofi Donkor is an international award-winning sculptor, master drummer and teacher. He considers the preservation of the indigenous Ghanaian art and culture his mission. He brings the Ghanaian history and its way of life to the world. Kofi has been drumming and performing internationally for over 30 years. He directs the African drum and dance ensemble Sankofa. He uses African culture in assemblies, lectures, performances, drum circles and traditional African Ananse (spider) stories to promote diversity in schools, communities, conferences, as well as festivals.
MyKingstonKids, Inc. was created to assist parents in providing the children of Kingston and beyond with the support needed to bring out the best in their kids as well as others. We believe this is done by providing our children with exciting activities, engaging & fun-loving events, interactive educational tools and appropriate entertainment.
This program, sponsored by Ulster Savings, is part of the Sojourner Truth: First Step to Freedom programming in partnership with SUNY New Paltz. Special thanks to the Radio Kingston Community Tech Team for support.