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The Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group Inc. (KJCG) is located in Troy, New York, a heritage-rich city that has been at the epicenter of many signature moments in the history of the United States.
Within walking distance of KJCG’s River Street headquarters are the sites of the nation’s first women’s labor union, Collar Laundry Union.1 and the original grounds of the first school endowed for girls, The Female Seminary (now the Emma Willard School). Once the Emma Willard School moved to a new campus, its buildings were occupied by Russell Sage College, whose mission was and still remains to offer women the means of independence through a combination of broad education in the liberal arts with preparation for specific professional careers.2
The Capital District’s first African-American church, Liberty Street Presbyterian,3 was also established in downtown Troy. The Church and its leaders played integral roles within the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad, and they founded an African Free School. Across the street from KJCG is the location of a Civil War Draft Riot. Protesters were enraged by men of privilege who avoided the draft by paying poor laborers—desperate for money—to take their place.4
In addition, Troy has been the host to and home of many notable and pivotal Americans. Elizabeth Cady Stanton attended Emma Willard School and was a staunch advocate for women to attain the right to vote. Reverend Henry Highland Garnet, an active abolitionist, has been referred to as the Malcolm X of his day. Brigadier General John Elias Wool was given the charge of leading the Cherokee removal, also known as the Trail of Tears, and later resigned his command in protest.5 His home can be found on the Russell Sage College campus.
In addition, Harriet Tubman played a role in aiding a fugitive slave who had escaped to Troy and was being transported back to his owner—this incident, some historians believe, was one of the earliest cases of the North challenging the Fugitive Slave Act and was a contributing event that led to the Civil War. Troy and much of the Capital District was viewed as a “safe haven” and was one of the main arteries of the Underground Railroad.6 Troy had an active vigilance committee—a group of abolitionists whose intent was to protect fugitive slaves.7
Troy is also the home of Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker who the 87th Congress of the United States resolved was “the progenitor of America’s National symbol of Uncle Sam.”8 Associated with the War of 1812, he shipped meat rations stamped US to soldiers who equated their provisions with Uncle Sam Wilson. A monument in his honor stands just steps away from KJCG’s front doors.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries Troy was one of the most prosperous cities in the country.9 Located where the Hudson and Mohawk rivers meet, Troy was able to make use of a cheap and abundant water-based power supply, becoming one of the nation’s major industrial communities.10 In fact, many consider Troy to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. At its height, Troy had the fourth highest per capita income in America.11 Troy was home to the “collar and cuff” industry which ultimately influenced its nickname of The Collar City.12 In addition, it became one of the centers of the iron industry and Bell manufacturing.
Troy truly is a community whose legacy is built upon organizations founded by leaders who were dedicated to establishing, advocating and protecting the rights of people on the fringe—people excluded from being full participants in society. It was also built on the entrepreneurial spirit that is core to the success of many endeavors. We are proud to call the city home. We are honored to share its values.
1. Collar Laundry Union. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 30, 2006, from Wikipedia.com Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collar_Laundry_Union
2. Sage lore and history. (n.d.). The Sage Colleges. Retrieved August 30, 2006, from sage.edu Web site: http://www.sage.edu/aboutsage/lorehistory/index.php
3. Underground Railroad workshops reveal overlooked chapters in American history. (n.d.). Our Time Press, Retrieved August 30, 2006, fromourtimepress.com Web site: http://www.ourtimepress.com/NewsDescribe.asp?NewsID=140&News_Type=Glob
4. Ink stains led to a white collar. (n.d.). Times Union, Retrieved August 30, 2006, from timesunion.com Web site: http://timesunion.com/specialreports/tu150/overview/overview2.asp
5. Trail of tears. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved August 30, 2006, from Reference.com Web site: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Trail_of_Tears
6. Underground Railroad: Myth and Reality (n.d.). The Underground Railroad in the Hudson Valley Retrieved December 26, 2006 from fergusbordewich.com Web site: http://www.fergusbordewich.com/blog/archives/2005/07/the_underground.html
7. Charles Nalle’s Story (n.d.). Underground Railroad Workshop Retrieved November 6, 2006 from ugrworkshop.com Web site: http://www.ugrworkshop.com/
8. Troy, New York. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved December 27, 2006, from Wikipedia.com Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy,_New_York
9. RiverSpark. (n.d.). RiverSpark Hudson Mohawk Heritage Area. Retrieved on December 27, 2006 from riverspark.org Web site: http://www.riverspark.org/
10. RiverSpark. (n.d.). RiverSpark Hudson Mohawk Heritage Area. Retrieved on January 26, 2007 from riverspark.org Web site: http://www.riverspark.org/indepth.asp
11. Hudson Mohawk Gateway (n.d.) Hudson Mohawk Gateway. Retrieved on January 25, 2007 from hudsonmohawkgateway.org Web site: http://www.hudsonmohawkgateway.org/
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