06/11/2026
Your students likely remember Stephanie - she was a speaker during our Black History Month series.
Check out this event event hosted by the Rapp Road Historical Association (RRHA) and the NYS Museum.
From the organizers:
"This special afternoon inspired by the exhibition Fashion and Faith: Hats of the Great Migration, celebrating the Black women whose faith, resilience, and leadership helped shape Albany’s communities. This free event will take place at the NYS Museum, Huxley Theater on June 13, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM with members of RRHA sharing the story behind the exhibition and the collaboration with the NYS Museum to bring this powerful history and treasured hats into NYS’s history. Followed by the award-winning storyteller, educator, and performer Barbara Howard, who will present a musical interpretation at 1:00 PM inspired by her heartwarming children’s book, High Tea & Sweet Cakes. Filled with storytelling, music, and themes of tradition, family, and community connection. The performance invites audiences of all ages to reflect on the importance of gathering together, honoring heritage, and creating lasting memories across generations.
High Hat Tea typically refers to the African American cultural tradition of hosting high-society afternoon teas where attendees wear elaborate, oversized hats, fascinators, and formal dresses. These events blend classic British afternoon tea with deep-rooted Black American traditions—specifically Sunday morning church attire and the historic legacy of civic and social mobility in the community."
