Time: 11:00-12:00 PM Eastern

Location: WATCH HERE

Participants:

• Prof Jack Kaufman-McKivigan (Indiana University Indianapolis)

• Prof Mark Christian (City University of New York)

Description: This program brings together two leading scholars of Frederick Douglass for a wide-ranging conversation about new research and evolving perspectives on his life and legacy. Professor Mark Christian, author of Frederick Douglass: A Life in American History (Bloomsbury, 2025), will discuss his forthcoming book and, in dialogue with Professor Jack Kaufman-McKivigan, explore fresh insights into Douglass’s activism, writings and historical impact. Together they will reflect on Douglass as a global thinker, a strategist of freedom and a figure whose relevance has not diminished with time. This discussion offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear directly from scholars whose work continues to shape how Douglass is studied and remembered in both academic and public life.

Time 10.30 AM

• Remarks and Memorial visit open to public

• Lunch & Visit: INVITE ONLY

Location: 54th Massachusetts/Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in front of the State House

At Midday, we are honored to gather Douglass family descendants, elected officials, partners and members of the #DouglassWeek team for a special invite-only tour and lunch reception hosted by Massachusetts State Representative Rob Consalvo and Massachusetts State Senator Michael Rush. 

While the State House events are invitation-only, we invite others to join us beforehand at the Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial (Robert Gould Shaw Memorial) in front of the State House at 11:00 AM for remarks from the Douglass family, Representative Consalvo and Senator Rush. 

Thank you to our hosts for their support of #DouglassWeek and their work to preserve the legacy of the Douglass family in the Commonwealth and recognize the many ways Frederick Douglass's work continues to inspire leaders and communities today.

Participants:

• Representative Rob Consalvo and other elected Officials

• Nettie Washington Douglass, Chair Emerita, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington

• Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., President, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington

• Nicole Morris (Les Miserables), 4x great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and 3x great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington

• Regie Gibson (Inaugural Poet Laureate of Massachusetts)

• Members of the #DouglassWeek team

Time:

• 5:15 PM-6:15 PM Eastern: meet & greet and light refreshments

• 6:30-8:00 PM Eastern: Start of show

Location: African Meeting House, Museum of African American History Boston, 46 Joy St, Boston, MA 02114

Participants:

• Nettie Washington Douglass, Chair Emerita, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, great-great granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington

• Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., President, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington

• Nicole Morris (Les Miserables), 4x great-granddaughter of Frederick Douglass and 3x great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington

• Regie Gibson (Inaugural Poet Laureate of Massachusetts)

• Dr J. Jacques Carter (Harvard University)

• Paul Oakley Stovall (Hamilton)

• Nikhil Saboo (Dear Evan Hansen)

• Elected officials

• Brian Boyles (Director of Mass Humanities)

Description: This performance evening celebrates the life and legacy of American abolitionist and civil rights leader Frederick Douglass and his family through live performances and readings. Program and participants evolve each year with the location of #DouglassWeek, but each event honors the history of Douglass and other changemakers through art and community. The event brings together Douglass family members, artists, scholars and local community voices for a vibrant tribute of music, spoken word, and storytelling. It often features original compositions inspired by Douglass’ writings, legacy and global travels, including his time in Ireland (1845–46), alongside selections from related works like the Broadway-bound Douglass musical American Prophet, which ran at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage in the summer of 2022. Each event showcases the talents of local artists, performers, community leaders and officials to tell the story and celebrate the inspiration of the Douglass family in that #DouglassWeek host city. 

Registration: THIS IS A FREE EVENT, but donations to support #DouglassWeek are welcome ($20 suggested).

Please register via Eventbrite HERE or by clicking the button below.