Kingston’s City Hall will continue its celebration of the life of Sojourner Truth next month with a youth program. The programming will complement an art installation that pays homage to the pioneering abolitionist, feminist and Port Ewen native.

Truth was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree on a Port Ewen farm in 1797. In 1826, she fled her enslaver along with her infant daughter Sara to take refuge with a community of Quakers in New Paltz. She later successfully sued her former enslaver who had sold another of her children into slavery in Alabama in violation of the state’s manumission law that gradually phased out slavery in the early 19th century. In doing so she became the first Black woman to prevail in court against a white man. Truth would later become a key player in the 19th-century progressive movement which advocated for the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, alcohol prohibition and other reforms.

“Sojourner Truth: First Steps to Freedom” is a bronze sculpture depicting Truth’s flight from slavery by artist Trina Greene on loan from SUNY New Paltz to the City of Kingston through August. The statue and related artworks in the lobby of City Hall have been the focus of several special events including ones recognizing Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The next event, scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 4p.m. in the lobby of City Hall at 420 Broadway, is the first aimed at youth.

The event will feature stage and screen actress Aixa Kendrick in character as Truth telling the story of the abolitionist’s life and flight from slavery. The program will also feature a performance by master drummer, singer and storyteller Maxwell Kofi Donkur based on the history and culture of Ghana. There will also be a photo booth courtesy of youth services nonprofit My Kingston Kids. The event is free and open to the public.

“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.”