BLACK in the cradle of liberty
The National Parks of Boston, Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, and Museum of African American History invite you to the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall on Sunday, September 24 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. for "BLACK in the cradle of liberty," a performance gathering that explores agency, resistance and the power of place. Curated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola and narrated by Rei Fielder, the afternoon features music, dance and spoken word with an incredible lineup of Boston artists and creatives, including DJ WhySham, Nnenna Loveth, Crystal Valentine, Cakeswagg, Tim Hall, Ifé Franklin and Danny Rivera. A centerpiece of the event is Porsha Olayiwola's debut of “Still Speaking,” a newly commissioned poem performed with dancers Anastasia Wade, Javonna Corbin and Kenard Williams. The event is free and open to the public.
09/24/2023
3pm - 4pm
Faneuil Hall
Let the Children Sing! A Tribute to Susan Paul
The Museum of African American History and the Beacon Hill Civic Association proudly presents “Let the Children Sing! A Tribute to Susan Paul” in the African Meeting House at the Museum of African American History on Beacon Hill. The program honors 19th-century educator and abolitionist Susan Paul who, in 1832, formed a juvenile choir that performed at anti-slavery meetings and held concerts to raise money for the cause. This jubilant concert celebrates Paul’s profound work and the legacy of this meaningful historic site where African American families worshipped, educated their children, debated issues of the day, organized politically, and changed the course of American history by advancing the cause of freedom. The concert features joyous music by Boston’s next generation of innovative artists through the celebration of music by youth enrichment groups City Strings, Hamilton-Garrett Youth Choir, and The Eastern Mass Children’s Choir, as well as remarks from civic and community leaders, including literary performer and educator Regie Gibson. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite. We gratefully thank our program sponsors: Suffolk University, F.H. Perry Builder, Blackstone's of Beacon Hill, The Whaley/Ring Team: Coldwell Banker Realty, Florina Pizzeria/Paninoteca.
10/15/2023
3pm - 5pm
46 Joy Street, Boston, MA
Letters for Phillis
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September 2023 marks the Semiquincentennial of the publication of Phillis Wheatley-Peters' Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. This event seeks to highlight the legacy of Wheatley-Peters who made history here in Boston and globally. The event, Letters for Phillis, is inspired by the friendship between Phillis Wheatley and Obour Tanner, a Black woman enslaved in Rhode Island, and the letters they exchanged over the years. The event will feature several Black Woman poets reading their own work while engaging the work of Phillis Wheatley-Peters
Juneteenth Community Gathering at African Meeting House -- Nantucket
Join us on June 19, 2023, to commemorate the Juneteenth Holiday at the African Meeting House in Nantucket. This event marks the opening of our Nantucket site for the summer months. During this community gathering, attendees will meet the Museum’s new President/CEO Dr. Noelle Trent as well as the Education and Interpretation Programs Department staff to learn more about the significance of the Juneteenth holiday and how the Museum of African American history upholds this legacy through our historic sites, exhibits, and collections.
Juneteenth Gathering at Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters
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Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street before the American Revolution, their living descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This event will feature a community gathering with music, poetry, art, speeches, and family activities, followed by a screening of the award-winning 2022 documentary Descendant. Presented in partnership with the Descendants of Tony and Cuba Vassall, History Cambridge, the Museum of African American History, Royall House and Slave Quarters, Slave Legacy History Coalition, Cambridge Black History Project, First Church Cambridge, Christ Church Cambridge, and Black Coral, Inc.
Ilyon Woo in Conversation with Christian Walkes
Embark on one of the boldest feats of self-emancipation in American history, the journey to freedom of Ellen and William Craft, told by author Ilyon Woo in her latest book, Master Slave Husband Wife, at Belmont Books on Wednesday, May 17 at 7pm. Ilyon Woo will be in conversation with Christian Walkes, Director of Education and Interpretation Museum of African American History — Boston | Nantucket. A Q&A session will follow the conversation.
Chad L. Williams with The Wounded World: W. E. B. Du Bois and the First World War
Moderated by Kendra Field, Associate Professor, Tufts University. The dramatic story of W. E. B. Du Bois's reckoning with the betrayal of Black soldiers during World War I—and a new understanding of that era and of one of the great twentieth-century writers. When W. E. B. Du Bois, believing in the possibility of full citizenship and democratic change, encouraged African Americans to “close ranks” and support the Allied cause in World War I, he made a decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life. For more than two decades Du Bois attempted to write the definitive history of Black participation in World War I. His book, however, remained unfinished.
On Friendship & Black Study: A Conversation Between Dr. Jarvis Givens and Dr. Joshua Bennett
Join us for this celebration of two new books on education, poetry, and black life. In a public discussion centering their two newest books, School Clothes and Spoken Word, Dr. Jarvis Givens and Dr. Joshua Bennett explore a theme that structures not only these two works of nonfiction, but their careers as writers and educators to this point: the long-standing bond between black study and the pursuit of human freedom. This conversation will be moderated by Christian Walkes, Director of Education and Interpretation, Museum of African American History.
MLK Tribute Concert 2023
Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) and The Museum of African American History come together to celebrate and honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 1pm in Faneuil Hall. The tribute to Dr. King will feature classical music, spirituals and freedom songs performed by young musicians from BYSO’s Intensive Community Program alongside distinguished leaders who will evoke the power and the promise of the civil rights hero through remarks, readings, and spoken word. The keynote will be delivered by L’Merchie Frazier, visual activist, public historian and artist, innovator, poet and holographer.
H+H Emancipation Concert 2023
Join us for our annual commemoration of the original 1863 Grand Jubilee concert in Boston, where members of H+H performed in celebration of Lincoln’s enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation, in its 165th Anniversary.
The Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History partner to present the tenth annual Emancipation Proclamation Concert, a joyous celebration of liberty and freedom. Join H+H musicians, National Poetry Slam Champion Regie Gibson, and conductor Anthony Trecek-King to commemorate Boston’s historic central role in the abolition movement, to celebrate the spirit of progress for human rights, and to recognize the role of music in creating alliance and belonging.
Drumfolk Performance with Post-Show Artist Talk Back with Step Afrika!
The story of Drumfolk is the story of the unstoppable power of expression in the fight for freedom, that continues to galvanize and inspire us today. Arts Emerson is proud to be a co-commissioner of this stunning work, which celebrates the resilience of black artistry and community in the face of forces that would silence and destroy. Join us after the show for a special Post-Show Artist Talk Back with Step Afrika! founder C. Brian Williams and Museum of African American History Historian in Residence, Kellie Carter Jackson, Ph.D.
Reading Frederick Douglass Together
Part of Mass Humanities "Reading Frederick Douglass Together" Join us on July 1 for a reading of Douglass' "What to the American Slave is the Fourth of July" on the Boston Common and on July 2nd join us for a reading at the African Meeting House on Nantucket
Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration
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Join us and the Nantucket Equity Advocates in person at the African Meeting House on Nantucket for a Juneteenth Celebration. Frances Karttunen will lead a tour of the Historic Colored Cemetery on Nantucket at 2:30pm followed by a conversation with Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson at 4:00pm.
A Calling to Come Back: Understanding Why Nantucket Locals Revisit a Community Museum
In 2021, Kimal McCarthy defended his dissertation titled "A Calling to Come Back: Understanding Why Nantucket Locals Revisit a Community Museum." Three social powers were identified. These powers induce a calling to come back. Alongsideidentifying three social powers of Nantucket's African Meeting House, Dr. McCarthy's research also provides a deep dive into the significance of repeat visitation to cultural institutions and adds the term "community museum" to the field of museum studies.
Juneteenth Celebration at Longfellow House
Gather with your neighbors the evening of June 19th at 105 Brattle St. in Cambridge MA, as we partner with the Longfellow House, the Cambridge Black History Project, and History Cambridge. Picnics, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. A rain location is available.
National Rededication Ceremony
The Partners to renew the Shaw 54th Memorial are committed to ensuring that the Rededication Ceremony is an in-person celebration worthy of the importance of the occasion.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shaw-54th-memorial-rededication-tickets-332843312307
Patrisse Cullors in An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Change Yourself and the World
New York Times bestselling author of When They Call You a Terrorist offers a provocative and groundbreaking blueprint for modern-day abolitionists primed to elevate protest into system-changing action meant to transform our world. Presented in partnership with the Museum of African American History and moderated by their Director of Education and Interpretation L’Merchie Frazier.
Patrisse Cullors in An Abolitionist’s Handbook: 12 Steps to Change Yourself and the World (St. Martin’s Press) charts a framework for how everyday activists can effectively fight for an abolitionist present and future. Filled with relatable pedagogy on the history of abolition, a reimagining of what reparations look like for Black lives and real-life anecdotes from Cullors, her new book provides a bold, innovative, and humanistic approach to how to be a modern-day abolitionist. Cullors asks us to lead with love, fierce compassion, and precision.
H+H performed in celebration of Lincoln’s enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation
MOVED ONLINE – NO IN-PERSON ATTENDEES at the Emancipation Proclamation Concert, Dec 31.
Out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with City of Boston and First Night Boston protocols, there will be no in-person attendance at this year’s Emancipation Proclamation Concert.
We will videotape the performance, and release the recording in the near future.
Join us for our annual commemoration of the original 1863 Grand Jubilee concert in Boston, where members of H+H performed in celebration of Lincoln’s enactment of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History partner to present the ninth annual Emancipation Proclamation Concert, a joyous celebration of liberty and freedom. Join H+H musicians, National Poetry Slam Champion Regie Gibson, and conductor Anthony Trecek-King to commemorate Boston’s historic central role in the abolition movement, to celebrate the spirit of progress for human rights, and to recognize the role of music in creating alliance and belonging.
https://handelandhaydn.org/concerts/emancipation-proclamation-concert-2021/