Much of the information contained in these pages was obtained through interviews with African Americans living and working in Utica.  Thank you, especially, to Marcella Lee (CSW, Oneida Public Health) for her encouragement and understanding.  Also, thank you to Nicole Richard (Financial Patient Accounts Specialist, St. Elizabeth Medical Center) and Celketha Williams (Marketing Representative, Fidelis Care) for their support and wonderful help.

Thank you to Jerome Shapiro(MD, New York Hospital-Queens, Cornell University Medical College) for reading and commenting on my research.

Thank you to Judy Doherty (Director of Technology Education, Colgate University) for her assistance.  Thank you to Delores Walters (Director, ALANA Cultural Center, Colgate University) and SOAN 355 for making this extraordinary experience possible.