N.Y. Arts and Cultural Affairs Law Section 57.53
The Amistad commission

  • duties and responsibilities
The Amistad commission shall have the following responsibilities and duties:

1.

to survey and catalog the extent and breadth of education concerning the African slave trade, slavery in America, the vestiges of slavery in this country and the contributions of African-Americans to our society presently being incorporated into the curricula and textbooks and taught in the school systems of the state; and, to inventory those African slave trade, American slavery, or relevant African-American history memorials, exhibits and resources which should be incorporated into courses of study at educational institutions and schools throughout the state.

2.

to compile a roster of individual volunteers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience in classrooms, seminars and workshops with students and teachers on the subject of the African slave trade, American slavery and the impact of slavery on our society today, and the contributions of African-Americans to our country;

3.

to increase awareness and encourage school districts to utilize curricula on African-American history by:

(a)

establishing and administering a program to publicly recognize schools that do an outstanding job teaching subjects related to the African-American experience through a designation of special status or other award as determined by the commission; and

(b)

offering grants to individual teachers who demonstrate exemplary practices teaching subjects related to the African-American experience, as determined by the commission, and the commission shall catalog and publicize such practices for use by other teachers; and

4.

to prepare reports for the governor and the legislature regarding its findings and recommendations on facilitating the inclusion of the African slave trade, American slavery studies, African-American history and special programs in the educational system of the state.

Source: Section 57.53 — The Amistad commission; duties and responsibilities, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/ACA/57.­53 (updated Feb. 27, 2026; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

Green check means up to date. Up to date

Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Feb. 27, 2026

§ 57.53. The Amistad commission's source at nysenate​.gov

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