Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith, the grand-nephew of baritone Paul Robeson will be the guest of honor at the Robeson in Peekskill Gala Fundraiser on Sept. 12 in New York.

In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots, the Living Artist Society will present a program entitled “Here I Stand.” The event is hosted by Aaron Mair and features Grammy Award-winning bass-baritone Mark S. Doss, alongside principal members of Pegasus: The Orchestra. The program will shed light on the riots and celebrate Robeson’s legacy as an iconic artist and advocate for civil rights.

In 1949, Robeson came to sing for peace at an outdoor concert just outside Peekskill to benefit the Harlem chapter of the Civil Rights Congress. Despite the threat of violence, Robeson and nearly 20,000 concertgoers showed up in solidarity. The aftermath of this concert would go down in history as the Peekskill Riots, where violence was ignited by racism, antisemitism, and a deeply rooted distrust, leaving hundreds of people seriously injured, and setting the stage for what would become the civil rights movement.

“Peekskill has probably been one of the most progressive communities in Westchester,” said Reverend Dr. Smith in a press release. “What Peekskill does, it’s a remembrance of from whence we have come and where we should be going. I’m pleased and thankful that we are going to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Peekskill Riots and celebrate the legacy of Paul Robeson.”

Reverend Dr. Smith has dedicated his life to service, much like the rest of the Robeson family. Notably, he presided over the U.S. African Development Foundation during the historic first vote in South Africa. He currently serves as the Senior Hope of Mt. Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, the oldest African American congregation in Westchester County.