High-end businesses have become an increasingly visible part of the Hudson Valley landscape, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the region each year. As the character of local communities evolves, so does the role that commerce can play in shaping a sense of place. Join us at the Spark of Hudson for a panel discussion exploring how businesses can engage thoughtfully with the communities in which they operate — fostering a sense of belonging, and connection, for both residents and visitors.
The Spark of Hudson is providing this space in kind to support open dialogue within the Hudson community. The views expressed during this discussion are solely those of the individual participants. We are hosting this conversation as a neutral party committed to facilitating community dialogue, not to advancing any particular viewpoint.
Panelists:
Claire Cousin: Claire Cousin is a community organizer, artist, and fierce advocate in our community. Growing up in a working-class family in Hudson has shaped her belief that youth deserve not just support, but power, voice, and room to imagine beyond their circumstances. Claire co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Hudson/Catskill Housing Coalition, made history as the first Black woman elected to the Columbia County Legislature, and now serves as the 5th Ward Councilperson for the City of Hudson, advocating for working families and community-centered policy. She’s currently the Director of Youth Power at Kite’s Nest.
Sara Black: A PhD in Geography, Sara conducted research & work on gentrification and political economy in the Hudson Valley. She moved to Hudson in 2012 to work in agriculture, followed by various positions in the service and retail industries. Since 2019, Sara has been active in local affordable housing initiatives. She contributed qualitative and quantitative research to Hudson’s successful $1M Anti-Displacement Learning Network grant (2019-2020), served as the Administrative Coordinator for the Hudson Community Development & Planning Agency (2021-2024), developed cooperative governance and finance models for Hudson Dots (2024), and served as the Treasurer of the Board of Commissioners for the Hudson Housing Authority (2025-2026). In addition to teaching, she works part-time as the Administrative Director for Sweet Freedom Farm.
Yiyi Mendoza:
Facilitator Char Kasza
Char Kasza (she/we) facilitates conflict transformation towards the goal of co-creating more systemic justice and more community care. The developer of the Loving Conflict mediation model, she holds family, organizational, and neighborhood processes in an PIC abolitionist, de-pathologizing framework. In addition to her 1:1 work in trauma therapy (SEP), she trains conflict facilitators through the Loving Conflict model and leads regular community practice groups for conflict skill-building locally and internationally. Char moved to the Hudson Valley in 2019 and along with years in kitchen & farm work, has been in direct support of farmers, food work & intentional land stewardship communities since 2011.