Half a century ago, a series of lawsuits that changed America were launched. These lawsuits led to the 1954 landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education. The Brown decision ruled racially segregated schools were unconstitutional and set in motion a series of events that continue to shape our lives today. Courage is an award-winning, groundbreaking exhibition that tells the story of Rev. J.A. De Laine and other brave citizens of Clarendon County, South Carolina. Through photographs, oral histories and key artifacts, Courage explores the grassroots community activism that one community initiated to begin the process that ended legal segregation of all races in America’s schools.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

The Freedom Center’s Civil War Book Club will meet to discuss Pulitzer Prize-winning author, James M. McPherson’s book, The Negro’s Civil War: How American Blacks Felt and Acted During the War for the Union. McPherson deftly narrates the experience of blacks-former slaves and soldiers, preachers, visionaries, doctors, intellectuals, and common people-during the Civil War.

The Freedom Center’s Civil War Book Club meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Freedom Center. All book club books can be purchased in the Freedom Center gift shop at a 20% discount for those joining the book club.

To join the book club or for more information, please contact Richard Cooper, Interpretive Services Manager, at rcooper@nurfc.org or 513.333.7595.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council with support by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment of the Humanities, or of the Ohio Humanities Council.

Many of the accomplishments and contributions of Black women are often unknown or untold.  The plight of the Black woman in America is much greater than the stories of Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks.

This History Show will highlight historical accounts from the Underground Railroad era through the Civil Rights Movement, promoting the legacy of resistance and struggle for human rights.  Join us in exploring the  human experience of enslavement, segregation, and social injustice from the perspective of Black women.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

Historians and trained professionals will conduct this institute for teachers and middle/high school students. Participants will experience sessions regarding the latest research findings, assessment tools, prevention and intervention strategies, legislative updates related to bullying and cyberbullying. Participants will gain valuable insight into the role that bullying behavior (and other forms of aggressive behavior) play in the lives of students everywhere. (Students will have the opportunity to record a Public Service Announcement to support Anti-Bullying with a signed release agreement.)

Standing on My Sister’s Shoulders is an examination of the lives of Mississippi women who risked their lives in the fight for Civil Rights, and emerged from their struggles as heroes, both known and unknown. This powerful, inspiring film is a lesson in grassroots organizing and literal courage under fire. It highlights women of courage who are virtually unknown in the Civil Rights Movement and gives them the recognition they deserve.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

The Zumba® program is a Fitness-Party with a contagious blend of Latin, African, and international rhythms that provides a fun and effective workout to a global community, either at home or in the gym. The Zumba program has helped to melt the pounds and inches off 12 million Zumba-enthusiasts in 125 countries. Zumba Fitness® is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a “fitness-party” that is downright addictive. Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba program has grown to become the world’s largest – and most successful – dance-fitness program with more than 12 million people of all shapes, sizes and ages taking weekly Zumba classes in over 110,000 locations across more than 125 countries.

Zumba® fundraising events also called Zumbathons ® are workouts hosted by Zumba instructors as a way to bring awareness, raise money, or raise support for charities, nonprofit organizations, or causes. In the past, Zumba has partnered with the Susan G. Komen foundation to support Breast Cancer research and Go Red for Women’s health to bring awareness about heart disease. Any charity or nonprofit organization is eligible to benefit.

Our goal is to raise $1000 for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center’s operational expenses so that this important institution can continue to “…reveal stories about freedom heroes.” We understand that the same spirit of courage that motivated the Underground Railroad conductors and abolitionists is the same spirit that fuel the modern day human trafficking abolitionist. Freedom is worth pursuing and we want to “Zumba® for Freedom.”

Cost: $10 per person (children ages 12 and up)

There will items raffled off during the event.

To RSVP for this event, click here: https://freedomcenter.org/events/zumba/

*All net proceeds go directly to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center*

Participants will learn about creative ways to teach about Women and the Underground Railroad in conjunction with the Women’s History Month. NURFC employees will highlight African American Women and their role in the Civil War. They will experience pieces of the women of courage tour.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

Numerous famous and little-known African American women were involved in the origin, development, and legacy of the Modern Civil Rights Movement. However, this topic has received only scant attention by most scholars. This presentation seeks to correct this oversight.

Join us at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center as Angela Davis sheds new light on the legacy of Frederick Douglass as she focuses on Douglass’ intellectual and spiritual awakening, and the importance of self-knowledge in achieving freedom from all forms of oppression. With detailed attention to Douglass’s text, she interrogates the legacy of slavery and shares timeless lessons about oppression, resistance and freedom.

Angela Davis is known internationally for her work to combat all forms of oppression. Her political activism began when she was a youngster in Birmingham, Alabama, and continued over the years in her work as a student, teacher, writer, scholar, and activist/organizer.

Due to limited seating we ask that you RSVP. To RSVP click here.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

Every other month, The “Follow the North Star” series presents Family Activity to engage children and their families. In this activity, children will play Literacy games and engage in activities exploring one of the unFreedoms of today, Illiteracy.

In Part 1 of this workshop, participants will explore the issues and activities important to them through harnessing the power of the written word. Participants will first learn about famous campaigns, speeches, and writings in history that have relied heavily on the written word, and create a poster/speech/letter/piece of legislation related to their issue.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.

In part 2 of this workshop, participants will learn how to use theatre to teach Social Studies. Historical Re-enactors will teach how to incorporate role playing, simulations, demonstrations, etc. into Social Studies lessons.

Funding for this program was made possible in part by PNC as well as the U.S. Department of Education Underground Railroad Educational and Cultural Program.