Larry Arnold receives his award from Malinda Ware, Ramona Burton and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Dr. Clarence Cooper receives his award from Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Arreda Cotton receives her award from Malinda Ware, Rosina Tezgeldi and Ramona Burton during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Anthony Grice, Jr. receives his award from Malinda Ware, Rosina Tezgeldi and Ramona Burton during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Robert Moody receives his award from Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Tashae Smith receives her award from Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Faika Wilson, second from left, accepts the award for her grandmother Sadie Tallie, from Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Kevin White receives his award from Ramona Burton, Malinda Ware and Rosina Tezgeldi during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Keynote speaker Phillip Howard talks about the important role education plays, especially to Black children, during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Rosina Tezgeldi, Marisol Guzman, Holly Sharper and Juana Leandry-Torres of MVP Healthcare, a major sponsor along with the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission, of the Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Ramona Burton offers remarks during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Rosina Tezgeldi of MVP Healthcare offers remarks during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Malinda Ware introduces honoress during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Lillie Howard, Phillip Howard, Runston "Pop" Lewis and Kevin White sing the Black National Anthem during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

The audience sings the Black National Anthem during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Church at the Bridge Pastor Jose Vasquez offers a prayer during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

The audience sings the Black National Anthem during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Members of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy ensemble "Expressions" perform during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Members of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy ensemble "Expressions" perform during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Members of the Newburgh Performing Arts Academy ensemble "Expressions" perform during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Black art was on display during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

The City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission hosted the Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

honoree Robert Moody is congratulated by Phillip Howard during the City of Newburgh Human Rights Commission sponsored Second Annual Black Pioneers of Newburgh at the Newburgh Free Library on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.