The Black Library Celebrates One Year of Showcasing Creative Fields to Sullivan County Community
Partners with Haitian American Racecar Driver Andre Lafond and Cause Marketing Pioneer Ralph Hansen
A year has passed since The Black Library, an innovative library and community art space in the Village of Monticello, Sullivan County, NY, first opened its doors to the public. Born out of a vision to celebrate and educate the community about Black history and culture, The Black Library has grown into a beacon of creative expression and a hub for local artists. Co-founders Douglas Shindler and Michael Davis have worked tirelessly to make this dream a reality, providing a space for artistic incubation, education, and community engagement. Both are respected artists. Shindler is a painter/photographer/designer, and Davis is a photographer/designer.
As The Black Library celebrates its first anniversary, the founders have partnered with racecar driver Andre Lafond in a move that symbolizes both the growth and the broadening reach of their mission. Lafond is the first Haitian America to win a Formula Ford Championship race. In August 2024, Lafond and team won Endurance Karting’s “6 Hours of Joisey” in above 100 degree temperatures at New Jersey Motorsports Park. The alliance is aided by Ralph Hansen of Pegasus Marketing Group, a true pioneer of cause marketing. Hansen’s most famous cause marketing campaign was the creation of the Newman’s Own brand, alongside his good friend Paul Newman. Other clients have included Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr., Christian Fittapaldi, and Graham Rahal. This partnership represents not only a milestone for The Black Library but also highlights the potential for cause marketing to expand the library’s influence and reach within the community and beyond.
The Black Library: A Space for Creativity and Community
The Black Library began with a simple yet profound mission: to celebrate Black culture and history while fostering a collaborative, creative, and educational atmosphere for Sullivan County residents. Located in a city with a 25% poverty rate 1 , The Black Library has become a critical resource for those seeking to explore creative careers and learn about Black history and culture.
“The employment pipeline around here after high school is limited,” explains Shindler. “There are supermarkets or a few different organizations. And without a car, these are difficult jobs to commute to. When we graduated, we didn’t have any photographers or videographers that looked like us, our age, telling us, ‘Hey, come this way. You can do this. Travel the world and meet people.’”
“We’ve both been very successful in the arts, and we wanted to share our knowledge with this community,” continues Davis. “Growing up, we didn’t have any mentors or professionals telling us about the possibilities in photography, design, or art. We wanted to change that.”
The Black Library’s impact is evident through its diverse programming. From mixed media and photography workshops to financial literacy classes and agriculture weekends, the library offers a wide range of educational opportunities. These programs are designed to empower residents with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive creatively and economically.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is seeing how we’ve been able to change the trajectories of people’s lives,” says Davis. “We’ve had artists who were on the brink of giving up on their creative pursuits, and now they’re organizing their own events and making a living from their art.”
A Dynamic Partnership: Andre Lafond and Ralph Hansen
The partnership with Lafond and Hansen marks a new chapter for The Black Library. Lafond, a promising race car driver, brings a unique element to the library’s cause marketing efforts. The connection represents a strategic move to diversify the library’s reach and appeal. “Partnering with Andre is a no- brainer,” says Shindler. “He’s a rising star in a sport that historically lacks representation, especially for people of his background. By aligning with him, we’re not only increasing our brand awareness but also supporting each other in our respective missions.”
For The Black Library, the partnership with Lafond offers an opportunity to tap into a new demographic—racing enthusiasts and the local motor club. This collaboration also opens the door for Lafond and Hansen to engage with residents of Sullivan County about opportunities in a sport they may love but not thought about pursuing. In so doing, the partnership removes barriers to what has been an exclusive career path.
Impact and Challenges
In its first year, The Black Library has hosted a variety of successful events, including art exhibitions, live music, fashion shows, and educational workshops. These events have drawn significant attendance, showcasing the community’s enthusiasm for the library’s offerings. The grand opening set the tone for what has become a vibrant and dynamic space, with local artists selling work and gaining exposure.
However, the journey has not been without challenges. In addition to the high poverty rate, limited employment opportunities and lack of transportation, Sullivan County has been hit hard with the drug epidemic. It has the highest rate of opioid-related deaths in New York State. 2 “There’s a real need for spaces like ours in communities like Monticello,” Davis notes. “We’re dealing with both rural and urban issues—poverty, lack of access to education, job opportunities, drug addiction, and a general feeling of being overlooked.”
The partnership with Lafond and Hansen is a strategic move to address some of these challenges. By expanding their reach and attracting new supporters with a range of programming, The Black Library hopes to secure the funding needed to continue its work. “We’re in a critical phase right now,” says Shindler. “Our focus is on finding funders—whether private donors, foundations, or businesses—who can help us sustain our programs and keep the doors open.”
The Road Ahead
As The Black Library moves into its second year, its founders are optimistic. They plan to continue to expand their offerings and explore new partnerships that align with their mission. Upcoming events include another agriculture weekend with cooking classes by local chefs, a live music show, and a backpack drive in partnership with the local NAACP chapter.
“Our partnership with Andre and Ralph is just the beginning,” says Davis. “There’s no telling how much we can grow. In just one year, we’ve already made a significant impact. We’re excited to see where this collaboration and those in the future can take us.”
For Shindler and Davis, The Black Library is more than just a space—it’s a movement. It’s about creating opportunities, changing lives, and fostering a deeper understanding of Black history, thus empowering the community by rediscovering its rich cultural heritage. As they look ahead, they are committed to continuing this important work and ensuring that The Black Library remains a vital resource for years to come.
About The Black Library
The Black Library’s mission is to celebrate Black culture and history, as well as create a collaborative, creative, and educational atmosphere for the residents of Sullivan County, New York. The Black Library will carry a diverse collection of books by Black authors, exhibit visual art by Black artists, offer educational workshops for children and adults, and host talks and community discussions. Welcoming local residents and visitors of all backgrounds, the project will promote greater understanding of Black history and culture, advocate for racial justice in Sullivan County and beyond, and act as an incubator for the next generation of local artists.
1. The World Population Review, May 2024, https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/new-york/monticello
2. The Times Union, July 6, 2023,