The Legacy and Leadership of Howard W. Coles In-Person / Online
Journalist and historian Howard Wilson Coles made an indelible impact on Rochester in the twentieth century. He is perhaps best known for serving as the editor of Monroe County’s longest-running Black newspaper, The Voice, and for writing the landmark African American history book, The Cradle of Freedom. But Coles was also a pioneering local Civil Rights figure. Join Dr. Anthony C. Siracusa and Chris Thom as they discuss Coles’ work with the Rochester branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), his involvement with FIGHT, and his efforts to preserve the Memorial AME Zion church building during the Urban Renewal era.
Dr. Anthony C. Siracusa is assistant professor of history and community engagement at St. John Fisher University. His book, Nonviolence Before King: The Politics of Being and the Civil Rights Movement, was published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2021.
Chris Thom is a recent history graduate from St. John Fisher whose research has focused on the city of Rochester in the 20th century.
Registration is recommended, but not required.
This is an in-person program that will also be livestreamed at:
https://www.youtube.com/@RochesterPublicLibraryNY/streams
This event is presented by the Local History & Genealogy Division.
- Date:
- Saturday, February 14, 2026
- Time:
- 1:00pm - 2:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Central - Kate Gleason Auditorium
- Library:
- Central Library
- Audience:
- All Ages
- Categories:
- Department - Local History & Genealogy Black History Local History