The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services will mark Black History Month with a free virtual program honoring the legacy and lived experiences of Black service members across generations.
The Weight & The Witness: Honoring Black Veterans Through Story, Poetry and Living Memory will take place on Friday, Feb. 6, from 11:00am to 12:30pm. The reflective program will center storytelling, artistic expression and dialogue as a way to uplift voices that have historically been overlooked while acknowledging the enduring contributions of Black veterans to the nation.
The program will feature a mix of film, spoken word, poetry and intergenerational conversation, creating space for remembrance, reflection and collective healing.
“Black History Month is a time not only to remember history, but to bear witness to lived experience,” said New York State Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Viviana M. DeCohen. “This program honors Black Service Members whose courage, sacrifice and stories deserve to be uplifted, preserved and shared."
The event will be moderated by Dr. Lessie Branch, special assistant for community engagement at the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services. An award-winning scholar, author and advocate, Branch will guide the conversation with a focus on living memory, dignity and recognition, centering stories that have too often gone unseen despite their profound impact.
Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs is slated to appear as a featured guest speaker, joining department leadership and community voices to reflect on the historical and ongoing significance of Black military service. The discussion will also address broader themes of equity, inclusion and the responsibility to preserve these narratives for future generations.
According to the department, the program aligns with its broader mission to serve all veterans while ensuring that historically marginalized voices are acknowledged and honored. By using storytelling as a central tool, the event aims to deepen public understanding of Black military service beyond traditional commemorations, highlighting personal experiences alongside collective history.
The Weight & The Witness is open to the public and will be hosted entirely online, allowing participants from across New York State and beyond to attend. Advance registration is required.
Event details:
The Weight & The Witness: Honoring Black Veterans Through Story, Poetry and Living Memory
Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
11:00am to 12:30pm.
Registration is available at tinyurl.com/dvsevents.
