Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition Celebrates 5 Years of Grassroots Impact with a Powerful Day of Reflection, Community, and Vision
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Contact: communications@hudsoncatskillhousing.org
www.hudsoncatskillhousing.org
Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition Celebrates 5 Years of Grassroots Impact with a Powerful Day of Reflection, Community, and Vision
HUDSON, NY (September 30, 2025) — The Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition (HCHC) is proud to announce its 5th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, November 20, 2025. This will be a powerful day of convening, community healing, and celebration, guided by the mantra and focus: “Calling in the Ancestors for the Fight Ahead.”
This milestone event honors five years of grassroots advocacy at the intersection of housing justice, educational equity, and criminal justice reform. The day will include two transformative experiences. The morning session, “Melanated Leaders: Rooted and Rising,” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Albany, NY. The evening gala fundraiser, “Past in Our Bones, Future in Our Hands,” will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at The Greenport, located at 158 Union Turnpike, Hudson, NY 12534.
All proceeds will benefit the Albany Free School, HCHC’s state-certified Pre-K through 8th-grade institution, ensuring that the next generation of leaders continues to grow, learn, and thrive. Sponsorship opportunities for the gala are available now at https://bit.ly/hchcgala2025. Gala attendees are encouraged to RSVP at https://bit.ly/rsvphchcgala.
Melanated Leaders: Rooted and Rising Convening
The Melanated Leaders convening will bring together Black, Indigenous, and other leaders of color who are at the forefront of grassroots organizing, advocacy, and community building across our region. These individuals bring with them a wealth of lived experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to equity and justice. Leaders are encouraged to RSVP at https://bit.ly/rsvphchcleaders.
The convening, organized in collaboration with the Northstar Fund, will focus on the fight for democracy, approached from a critical historical perspective, led by gala keynote speaker, LaTosha Brown, renowned political strategist and co-founder of Black Voters Matter.
As we root deeper into healing justice as a movement, we aim to widen this space to offer somatic support and knowledge that fortifies us for the protracted struggle. With community support, HCHC will activate a robust ecosystem of holistic healers to offer wellness services during the convening, ensuring participants are grounded, cared for, and fortified to continue the work.
5th Anniversary Gala: Past in Our Bones, Future in Our Hands
The evening anniversary gala fundraiser will bring together community members for a powerful celebration honoring HCHC’s legacy and preparation for the work unfolding. The gala program will feature stirring music from the Haitian resistance and other performances, reflections from public officials and community members, and a keynote presentation by LaTosha Brown. Attendees can also look forward to service awards honoring local changemakers, a silent auction and live painting by a community artist. Held at The Greenport with a capacity of 150 guests, the event is expected to reach full attendance.
“Five years ago, we answered a local call to action during a national moment of reckoning,” said Shirle Cross, Co-Founder and Board President of HCHC. “Now, as we mark this milestone, we’re honoring the legacy of that response, the communities that shaped it, and the path forward toward healing and continued transformation.”
For HCHC’s 5th Anniversary Celebration updates, visit www.hudsoncatskillhousing.org or follow @hudsoncatskillhousing on Instagram.
About the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition
The Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition is a Black-led nonprofit advancing housing justice, education equity, and criminal justice reform across the Hudson Valley and Capital Region. HCHC leads the Albany Free School and works across generations to build grassroots power through organizing, advocacy, and cultural programming. In partnership with community members, HCHC creates space for Black, Brown, low-income, and working-class families to thrive.
For press inquiries or more information, contact:
communications@hudsoncatskillhousing.org
