OSM delivers powerful stories during Black History Month

In partnership with Siena College watch “Journey to Freedom” on streaming app

SCHENECTADY—Since, its founding, Open Stage Media has sought out stories that reveal the depth and breadth of the communities it serves. OSM works to lift the voices of our neighbors, to preserve local history and highlight the intrinsic values of the Capital Region. This year OSM, which provides a variety of services to the local community that help individuals and groups get involved in media production, partnered with a powerful project conducted by Siena College.  

“Journey to Freedom” tells the stories of men and women from the Capital Region who played pivotal roles in the Civil Rights Movement. This unique collection of videos captures the voices of those who ventured into the segregated Deep South, as well as those who fought for justice in their own communities.

According to OSM Program Manager Zeb Schmidt, “By understanding and honoring our history, we empower ourselves to move forward into the future with confidence, purpose and a strong foundation. We are bringing this video and audio series to OSM because we believe in the power of highlighting and promoting projects that inspire civic engagement.”

Throughout Black History Month, tune in to hear the oral histories from local pioneers such as Alice Green, Ann Pope, Nell Stokes and others who were instrumental in shaping the Civil Rights Movement, nationally and right here in upstate New York. These interviews are a rare glimpse into the courage, resilience and determination that defined a generation’s fight for freedom and equality.

The series, organized by Dr. Paul Murray, Donal Hyman and Kirk Daniels at Siena College and Schmidt at OSM, is a collaboration between local educators and producers, ensuring that these vital stories are not lost to time. You can experience these interviews in full on the Open Stage Media streaming app (available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV) or listen to them on Spotify and Amazon Podcasts, starting Monday, Feb. 3.

“The “Journey to Freedom” project brings together Capital Region veterans of the Civil Rights Movement. They share poignant interviews of their life experiences shaping 
American social change. They marched, they protested, they persevered and they endured. Their stories reveal the true depth of the history of the indomitable spirit of American resistance and persistence,” Hyman said.

Download the OSM streaming app and don’t miss the chance to dive deep into the legacies of these trailblazers, whose courage and vision continue to inspire generations.