Lavada Nahon, culinary historian and interpreter of African American history with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation is the guest speaker addressing ‘New York State’s Investment in the Institution of Enslavement and its Legacy Today’. Nell Stokes, long time community activist and supporter of UREC will share her poetry. Maggie D’Aversa, weaving artist, will share her storytelling coverlet.

• Program -11am-12noon
• Lunch and conversation – 12noon-1pm – please bring a salad or desert to share if you can (Please bring serving utensils as well)
• Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Trinity Alliance neighborhood food pantry
• Please share this invitation far and wide
• Please bring a chair for yourself if you can
• Please consider parking on Third Street (use 97 Third Street for your GPS)

Culinary historian, interpreter and editor Lavada Nahon is a staff member of the Bureau of Historic Sites as the Interpreter of African American History. Lavada has worked as an independent contractor at a variety of state historic sites and other museums. She has a wealth of experience interpreting the lives of free and enslaved African Americans across the mid-Atlantic region, with an emphasis on the work of enslaved cooks in the homes of the elite class. Her expertise around cooking and dining spans the 17-19th centuries and cuts across cultures, encompassing Dutch, British, French and African traditions.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “Lavada’s immense experience is instrumental to our agency’s goal of developing interpretative programs and displays that continue to educate and connect visitors to the past while highlighting untold stories across all ethnic and social backgrounds.”.