Bricks build, but they also speak. They speak of foundations, of base, of structure, of history. They will do so on Saturday, Feb. 28, during an exhibition at the Community Health Center in Peekskill, 1037 Main St., in observance of Black History Month. The event, organized by Sun River Health and Haverstraw African American Connection, begins at 2 p.m. The Brick Speaks offers an unfiltered reading of African American life in the Hudson Valley, spanning more than four centuries.
The exhibit, which runs until 5 p.m., will present documented facts, archival materials and curated pieces that narrate a history of resistance, struggle and freedom. With each photograph and each record, The Brick Speaks recalls not only faces and names, but also the African American presence in the region, dating to colonial times, and how those contributions to local culture intersect with national events in narratives that have often been marginalized.
Organizers have emphasized that the fight for civil rights in the United States has always been linked to access to health care. During the Civil Rights Movement, the first community health centers were established to serve populations that had been systematically excluded from the health care system, grounded in the belief that health is a human right, not a privilege.
That same principle inspired the founding of the health center in Peekskill, led by four African American women committed to providing accessible and compassionate care to their community. What began as a local act of advocacy and community organizing evolved into a sustained model of care rooted in dignity, trust and equity.
In recent years, the city has also hosted additional community observances tied to Black History Month. Some events have been led by local groups, churches and cultural organizations. In 2024, for example, the NAACP of Peekskill and Mount Olivet Baptist Church organized a full weekend of programming in February that included music, dance, storytelling circles and religious services.
In 2025, Black Diamonds Academic Success Program organized a celebration honoring The Charitable Six, a group of African American men who had a significant impact on the city during the 1960s through leadership and community service. That same year, the Common Council recognized six members of the African American community for their civic and professional contributions.
The city also maintains other civic traditions tied to memory and commemoration. Juneteenth has been observed in Peekskill for more than a decade with parades, flag-raising ceremonies and festivals that restore to public space a history that had long been denied across generations.
For more information about The Brick Speaks, contact Wilfredo Morel at 914-643-4392 or email [email protected].
