Mass Humanities

06/19/2026

Today we celebrate Juneteenth with 9 readings of Frederick Douglass, from Indian Orchard to Brookline. This weekend there are 5 additional readings. Coming together with your neighbors and reflecting on the words of Douglass is a powerful experience--we encourage you to join us for an hour or two and think about the 250th in a new way.

Visit our website for a full list and more info: https://masshumanities.org/76-reading-frederick-douglass-together-events-in-2026/

June 19
-With Medway Marches in Medway
-With Westford Museum & Historical Society in Westford
-With Recovery Through Innovation in Indian Orchard
-With Natick Historical Society in Natick
-With Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge
-With Brookline For The Culture in Brookline
-With City of Salem in Salem
-With The Black Response in Cambridge
-With Black Business Association of Amherst Area in Amherst

June 20
-With World of Chibuzo in Boston
-With Holliston Public Library in Holliston
-With Engine Room Section/Hyde Park Lions Club in Hyde Park
-The Milne Public Library Williamstown in Williamstown

June 21
-With Berkshire Community College Foundation in Pittsfield

MA250 Visit Massachusetts Mass Cultural Council

06/18/2026

Go behind the scenes of "Making Headlines," our upcoming film about youth journalism and democracy, with historian John Garcia of American Antiquarian Society. We interviewed John to help set the historical context for the film. We couldn't fit everything into the final edit, so we put together an extended cut. Watch to learn about Freedom's Journal, the Cherokee Phoenix, printer Mary Katharine Goddard, and more: https://youtu.be/Cj6t7tzBfU4?si=sGgK1tMsvOZSSKr2

American Antiquarian Society MA250 Federation of State Humanities Councils

06/18/2026

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Lowell – In recognition of Juneteenth and as part of celebrating Lowell’s 200th birthday, Lowell Community Charter Public School students, parents, staff, and members of the greater Lowell community read Frederick Douglass’ speech, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” last Thursday. Thi...

06/17/2026

Tonight!

Today in 'Reading Frederick Douglass Together'

EVENT SCHEDULE
Afternoon Event: Community Voices & Conversation
● Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
● Location: Holyoke Senior Center, 291 Pine St, Holyoke, MA
● Featuring:
○ A participatory community reading of Frederick Douglass’s historic speech.
○ An intimate conversation with acclaimed Massachusetts playwright Ken Green.

~ Evening Event: Music, History & Drama ~
● Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
● Location: De La Luz Divine Theater, 92 Race St, Holyoke, MA
● Featuring:
○ Performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing, led by the award-winning
REVOLUTION A Ca****la ensemble under the musical direction of MarcosCarreras.
○ Exclusive preview of ‘July 5th,’ a new play by Ken Green. Featuring music performed by REVOLUTION A Ca****la, scene segments performed by playwright Ken Green with resident creatives Priscilla Kane Hellweg and
GLoria Caballero . Including a special musical performance by rising star hip-hop artist Fabeyon .
○ Conversation with playwright Ken Green and Mass Humanities facilitator Latoya
Bosworth.

This event is in partnership with the Holyoke Council on Aging & Senior Center , LightHouse Holyoke and Holyoke Media.

'Reading Frederick Douglass Together' is a program of and made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities , with funding by the Mass Cultural Council.

“July 5th’ commissioned by
the Ensemble for the Romantic Century (ERC), Founder and Music Director Eve Wolf, and Directed by MIFA Executive Artistic Director Donald T. Sanders, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

06/17/2026

Dave Slatery, acting executive director of Mass Cultural Council, contributed this thoughtful piece to our most recent "People's Guide to the Revolution" newsletter. Be sure to stay tuned for Volume 5, which drops tomorrow morning!

06/16/2026

Our new film series "Promises of the Revolution" will screen at GBH studios on Wednesday, July 15, at 6:00 pm! Tickets are going quick, so be sure to RSVP here: https://www.wgbh.org/events/promises-of-the-revolution-filmmakers-panel-screening

GBH MA250 Eastern Bank

06/15/2026

ICYMI: There are 76 (!) readings of Frederick Douglass taking place this year, many in the months of June and July. You're invited to join Mass Humanities, Museum of African American History - Boston and Nantucket, and Community Change Inc for the 17th annual reading on the Boston Common next Friday, June 26, at 12:00 pm.

We'll meet at monument to the 54th Regiment, directly across the street from the Massachusetts State House. Spread the word and share this post with your friends and family!

Mass Cultural Council MA250

06/12/2026

Please join us in Holyoke for this upcoming RFDT reading on June 17!

Join us for 2 FREE Community Events: 'Reading Frederick Douglass Together" on June 17, 2026. Featuring conversations with Ken Green with a special preview of his new play 'July 5th'
https://www.mifafestival.org/frederick-douglass

MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT
- Ken Green -
A Chicago native currently residing in Boston, Ken Green brings a rich,
multi-disciplinary background to his scriptwriting as a former newspaper reporter, editor, and sportswriter. He has also performed as a slam poet, fiction writer, stand-up comic, and host for the nationally televised program, Stories From The Stage. His diverse theatrical catalog includes a four-play cycle exploring Chicago gentrification, stories of surviving racial trauma, and deep historical commissions—including an audio drama on Frederick Douglass and an
immersive outdoor "walking play" tracking a member of the historic Massachusetts 54th Regiment.

Learn more: https://kengreen.me/

Presented by MIFA Victory Theatre , Holyoke Council on Aging & Senior Center , LightHouse Holyoke , and Holyoke Media

'Reading Frederick Douglass Together' is a program of and made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities , with funding by the Mass Cultural Council

06/11/2026

👀Join us this Thursday evening, June 11, at the Ashby Free Public Library for a fascinating journey through history, legend, and music with Sultana's presentation, Women Making History.

Using original music, storytelling, and historical images, musicians and songwriters Jon and Li Waterman bring to life the stories of remarkable women whose courage, creativity, and determination changed the world. Meet pioneers, heroines, visionaries, and everyday women who faced extraordinary challenges—from the world's earliest known author and the founder of the first museum to Hannah Duston, the women of the New England Shoemakers Strike, and figures from legend.

This engaging program combines live music with compelling historical narratives, offering a unique look at the women whose stories deserve to be remembered and celebrated.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. Part of our second year Smithsonian "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" programming.

Sponsored by Mass Humanities. CC: Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

06/11/2026

See you tonight!