SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Stop by and experience the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois. We’re open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday | 11 AM–3 PM.
Our Mission
The mission of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy is to educate the public about the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of the Berkshires.
Located at the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington, where he was born and raised, this vibrant center of Black thought and remembrance constitutes the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to Du Bois’ life and legacy.
Virginia Conway, Community Volunteer & Du Bois Legacy Committee Representative
A Life of Faith, Family, and Freedom
An Interview of Virginia Conway by Beth Carlson, DFC Treasuer
“The Du Bois Freedom Center is something we can call our own — a place named for a Black man. Once it is open, when I walk in the door, I know I will feel a sense of welcome. Because he knew us. He understood the soul of Black people.”
— Virginia Conway
Born in Alabama and a longtime Berkshires resident, Virginia Conway has dedicated her life to faith, leadership, and service through Macedonia Baptist Church, Bridge Multicultural, and the Du Bois Freedom Center.
We thank her for her decades of commitment and community leadership that continue to inspire our mission. Read her story →
Welcoming Our New Interim Executive Director:
Dr. John D. Lloyd
We are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. John D. Lloyd as the Interim Executive Director of the Du Bois Freedom Center.
With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Dr. Lloyd brings a strategic, community-centered vision to guide the Center through its next chapter. As principal of Agile Consulting Group, he has worked with mission-driven organizations nationwide to foster growth, sustainability, and inclusive impact.
At the Du Bois Freedom Center, Dr. Lloyd will oversee operations, strengthen partnerships, and advance programming that celebrates the life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois—a global advocate for democracy, education, and racial justice.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Lloyd into this pivotal role and invite our community to connect with his leadership in shaping the future of the Center.
This Month in Du Bois History: November
We remember the milestones that shaped the Du Bois legacy — from the founding of The Crisis to the artistry of Shirley Graham Du Bois and the enduring spirit of our Great Barrington community.
Each story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and collective progress. As we move through November — a season of gratitude — we honor those who turned knowledge into action and community into freedom. “Believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader, and fuller life.”
— W.E.B. Du Bois, The Crisis (1914)
Explore W. E. B. Du Bois & African American Heritage in Great Barrington
Every summer, discover the legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of Great Barrington with our immersive “Walking Through History” tours.
Join our guided, in-person tours led by distinguished Du Bois scholars, educators, and our Interim Executive Director, Dr. John D. Lloyd. These thoughtfully curated walks offer a personal and insightful journey through the neighborhoods, landmarks, and stories that shaped Du Bois’s early life and his enduring impact in Great Barrington.
Whether you’re a longtime scholar or a first-time visitor, each tour offers a powerful connection to our shared history—and a vision for the future.
“The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy presents a singular opportunity to reclaim and extend in Du Bois’ hometown, the Black intellectual, artistic traditions, and social movements to which he dedicated his life’s work.”
—David Levering Lewis, Pulitzer Prize-winning Du Bois Biographer
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TOURS