The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy Unveils 2024 Season

Educational events and public programs to highlight Du Bois’ vision for our democracy.

GREAT BARRINGTON, MA (February 29, 2024) — The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy (known as the Du Bois Freedom Center) unveiled its “Reflections on Democracy” theme for 2024 and announced plans to host a series of educational events and public programs that will ask featured scholars, elected officials, students, artists, musicians, philanthropists, and the community, to share their hopes for our democracy and reflections via this site in response to the following Du Bois passage:

 "...I dream of a world of infinitive and valuable variety; not in the laws of gravity or atomic weights, but in human variety in height and weight, color and skin, hair and nose and lip. But more especially and far above and beyond this, is a realm of true freedom: in thought and dream, fantasy and imagination; in gift, aptitude, and genius—all possible manner of difference, topped with freedom of soul to do and be, and freedom of thought to give to a world and build into it, all wealth of inborn individuality. Each effort to stop this freedom of being is a blow at democracy—that real democracy which is reservoir and opportunity . . . There can be no perfect democracy curtailed by color, race, or poverty. But with all we accomplish all, even Peace.”

- Excerpt from The World and Africa: An Inquiry into the Part Which Africa Has Played in World History, 1947.

Highlights of The Du Bois Freedom Center’s 2024 programming season include a four-part Scholars Salon Series moderated by inaugural Visiting Scholar on Democracy, Michael Blake, a former Harvard Visiting Scholar and Obama staffer. The Center’s season - which extends from Spring through Fall - will incorporate both live and virtual events that drive intersectional conversations and intergenerational engagement celebrating the legacy of civil rights pioneer and NAACP co-founder W.E.B. Du Bois, the reimagining of the Clinton A. M. E. Zion Church as a heritage site and cultural center, and the rich African American history of The Berkshires.

“As we honor the powerful legacy of Dr. Du Bois, it is important to acknowledge that many of the societal issues which he reflected upon across his lifetime are still relevant today,” stated Executive Director Ny Whitaker. “African Americans have made, and continue to make, tremendous contributions to our democracy and our collective efforts to create a more perfect union.”

“Democracy is not about a political party. It’s about allowing all of us to be party to an Institution of Possibility through policy and public service,” explained Blake. “I am humbled to join the Du Bois Freedom Center as we launch this important series to highlight Dr. Du Bois, his hopes for our nation, and his vision for our democracy as it informs our present day.”

The Center also shared updates about the next phase of its design and construction at its first Reflections Reception – a celebration of the birth of Dr. Du Bois which was held last week at Saint James Place. Photos from the event are available via The Center’s website.

For more information about the Du Bois Freedom Center’s 2024 ‘Reflections on Democracy’ series and its efforts to reimagine the historic Clinton A. M. E. Church in Great Barrington, or to make a donation, please email: office@duboisfreedomcenter.org, call: 413-673-1032, or visit: www.duboisfreedomcenter.org.