About Us
In March of 2021, I was invited to chair the North Cortlandt Residents Vision Committee – a working group of residents in conjunction with members of Cortlandt’s Town Council, Planning and Zoning Staff. We were chartered to take stock of the current state of this section of Town and articulate a future vision for North Cortlandt consistent with the goals of Cortlandt’s master plan.
Part of this effort included a study of the history of the area and it was then that I first discovered the story behind the Peekskill Riots and more importantly, learned about this Paul Robeson's momentous legacy, both as an artist and a relentless advocate for social justice.
Considered a dark chapter and an emotionally charged subject, in the aftermath of the 1949 Peekskill Riots many locals chose to avoid talking about it. With decades of silence, this history had been all but lost to many who live here today.
The Robeson in Peekskill project is a grassroots initiative led by dedicated volunteers from Peekskill and its surrounding communities. As proud members of this community, we believe it is important to commemorate the Peekskill Riots, not only as a significant chapter in Peekskill’s history but also as a reminder that freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every American citizen.
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Our project serves as both a testament to this right and evidence of Peekskill's transformation from a town marked by violent intolerance of Paul Robeson’s political views to one where citizens – left, right, and center – can respectfully and peacefully agree to disagree.
Peekskill today is a vibrant and diverse community where people from many cultural backgrounds live and work together. We are proud to be part of this community and grateful for the enthusiastic support our project has generated in Peekskill and its surrounding areas.
Wendy Talio
Our Mission
Our mission is to illuminate this pivotal moment in Civil Rights history, ensuring it remains visible and relevant. By reclaiming its lessons, we empower future generations to continue the fight against oppression and discrimination, striving for a more just and equitable world.
Our Vision
We are a community where the courage, art, and activism of Paul Robeson lives on in our community uniting generations in a shared commitment to justice, truth, and belonging.
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Through remembrance and creative expression, the Robeson in Peekskill Project envisions a future where history is not buried but lifted; where young people see themselves as agents of change; and where the spirit of solidarity that defied hate in 1949 becomes a model for civic strength, cultural pride, and collective healing.
Our Goals
01
RAISE AWARENESS:
Following in Paul Robeson’s footsteps, we present arts infused programs to make the public aware of the history.
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02
EDUCATE: Teach children the history through outreach programs and providing opportunities for youth to participate in our work.
03
MEMORIALIZE: Create publicly accessible art to mark the site, provide historical information, and promote personal reflection.
Our Team
Organizing committee
Wendy Talio (Chair), Founder Living Artist Society
Wendy Talio grew up on Long Island amid the cultural shifts of the 1960s -from Robert Moses’ reshaping of New York to classmates’ struggles with racial inequity. She earned music degrees from Manhattan School of Music and Rice University before pivoting into data science. Wendy retired early to return to the arts and civic engagement. Learning of the history of the Peekskill Riots and Robeson’s legacy, she founded the Living Artist Society and the Robeson in Peekskill Project, using the arts to advance truth, empathy, and community.
Julie Ruben, Film Publicist, Social Justice and Environmental Activist.
Julie Ruben is a lifelong activist, the child and grandchild of anti-racist and social justice organizers. She has been a publicist for independent and international films and film festivals, and authors. Julie was the Executive Director of a non-profit that organized international conferences. A passionate environmentalist, she serves on several environmental commissions and boards. The long and deep relationship Julie’s family had with Paul Robeson makes this current project a true labor of love.
Jelle Simons, Author, Journalist, Historian
Born in the Netherlands, Jelle Simons was shaped by his family’s experiencesunder Nazi occupation. He earned a Master’s in Military History from theUniversity of Amsterdam and authored Linecrossers, Couriers of the DutchResistance (2021), now in its third printing. After moving to Yorktown Heights,he immersed himself in the region’s history. Deeply struck by the history ofthe Peekskill Riots, Jelle now lends his writing skills to support the Robeson inPeekskill Project.
Sarah Underhill, Environmental Educator, Activist, Singer. Clearwater Board member
Sarah Underhill fell in love with the Hudson Valley working aboard the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater in the 1980s. A singer and song collector, she blends music with community building. Sarah serves on several regional environmental and food justice boards, works as a hospice RN, and brings her Quaker heritage of justice and mercy to all she does
Abbe Marcus Founder/Executive Director Journeys to Change
Abbe Marcus has built her career on connecting communities through history,justice, and experiential learning. She co-founded J-Teen Leadership and heldleadership roles at The Workers Circle, 92nd Street Y, the Jewish EducationProject, and WJCS. Since founding JTC, she has designed civil rights andservice-learning journeys across the U.S. and Cuba, inspiring change throughstory and experience.
Lawrence Anthony (LA), Life-long activist and Bass Vocalist for The Persuasions
Raised in New York City during the Civil Rights era, Lawrence’s experiences with racism and activism—marching for civil rights and protesting the Vietnam War—shaped his lifelong commitment to justice. After moving to Cortlandt Manor, he was deeply moved by the history of the 1949 Peekskill Riots and Paul Robeson’s legacy, inspiring his involvement as a committee member of the Robeson in Peekskill Project.
An artist-activist, Lawrence uses his voice to amplify truth, harmony, and justice on and off the stage
