Prince Hall Freemasonry (Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York) hosted a Black Male Responsibility Summit last month, headed by Senator Kevin Parker and Grand Master Gregory Roberson Smith, Jr., during the 53rd Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Conference in Albany.
“[I] charged all present to look toward solutions and strategies to re-engage our community,” said Smith. He also suggested the future is a shared responsibility among members.
The freemason group prides themselves on being champions of equality, justice, and enlightenment, they said. The 2024 Summit continued their tradition of engaging legislative members on questions about the future of Black male leadership.
Dr. Basil Smikle Jr., distinguished lecturer and director of the Public Policy Program and the Roosevelt House Institute for Public Policy at Hunter College and a former executive director of the New York Democratic Party, facilitated the event. Panelists included Assemblymember Al Taylor, Dr. Maurice O. Franklin, and former City Councilmember Robert Cornegy.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member who writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.