Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State

In 2024, LáLew Public Relations partnered with the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State (URCNYS) to lead community engagement for the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Corridor, a 500-mile route honoring New York’s role in the historic freedom network. 

Our goal was to drive public participation in shaping the Corridor Management Plan ahead of its submission to the New York State Department of Transportation. To do this, we implemented a focused media and outreach strategy that centered community voices and encouraged meaningful input. 

We distributed a press release to targeted media contacts and followed up with direct outreach to stakeholders, including history organizations, educators, tour operators and local businesses. The campaign secured 21 media features, including placements in Yahoo News, WROC News, WHEC News and the Democrat and Chronicle. 

More than 50 people attended the public meeting, marking the highest turnout in the state. By building trust and visibility, we helped URCNYS spark authentic community connection around a vital piece of American history.