Greenburgh honors two civil‑rights-era figures in Black History Month fireside chat

The Town of Greenburgh on Feb. 25 hosted a Black History Month fireside chat featuring Tom Boyer and Ambassador Harold L. Doley Jr., during which both men recounted growing up in the segregated South and described how early activism shaped their careers.

Tom Boyer, introduced by the supervisor and identified in the record as a specialist (SP‑5) Vietnam veteran, described participating in a 1964 sit‑in at a McClellan’s lunch counter in Bessemer, Ala., and recounted being beaten during the demonstration. "We were beaten like dogs," Boyer said, describing the attack and the lasting personal impact. He said the experience convinced him to leave Alabama for New York after high school and later build a career in sales.

Ambassador Harold L. Doley Jr., who described buying a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and later serving in diplomatic roles, spoke about his family’s ties to Tuskegee and the ways local institutions supported African American community life. "You first have to have a dream," Doley said, urging younger attendees to set goals and pursue education or skilled trades.

The board read proclamations honoring both guests for their civic contributions and service; the text presented cited their careers, military service (in Boyer’s case) and public‑service achievements (in Doley’s). The town also invited residents to related Black History Month events and a March 21 book talk moved to the town hall.

Why it matters: The program combined community history, veteran recognition and civic outreach. Speakers tied personal narratives from the civil‑rights era to contemporary calls for mentorship, education and local civic engagement. The event was followed by routine agenda business.

Next steps: The board presented proclamations to Boyer and Doley; no formal action beyond the recognitions was taken.