Town to Mark Black History Month

The town's Black History Month celebration kicks off  Feb.3 with a speech by Justice Deborah A. Dowling and the release of a booklet celebrating the work of an African-American poet.

Dowling, who since 1996 has served as a New York State Supreme Court justice, sitting in Brooklyn. She also worked as a staff attorney for the Legal Services Corporation, serving as director of its Housing Unit, and as a judge of the New York City Housing Court and the New York City Civil Court.

She currently chairs the Kings County Supreme Court Criminal Term Forum, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Judicial Friends Foundation. Justice Dowling's foundation is shaped by her reliance upon her faith. She has been a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church since childhood, and is a former Sunday School teacher.   She has for a number of years been an active participant in the program Not Just Blacks and Jews in Conversation.

The town will also release the booklet marking the life of the first African-American published poet, the fourth issued by the Town's African American Historic Designation Council, spotlighting the life and works of Jupiter Hammon. Hammon (1722-1806) was born in what is now Lloyd Harbor and lived there and on West Shore Road in Huntington. The booklet traces his family's history and includes samples of his poems. Copies of the booklet will be available at the celebration.

The celebration, which will be held at Town Hall, will include music and refreshments. The public is welcomed to attend. For further information, contact Denise Williams, director of minority affairs, (631) 351-2842.