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 fight for civil rights is apparent in history and today; in our country and around the globe. The Egyptian film series documents the rise of the modern day civil rights movement in Egypt, chronicling the movement up to the resignation of President Mubarak in February 2011.  This contemporary fight for freedom is yet another example of how important it is to stay focused on eliminating unFreedoms all around the world, and how the values COURAGE, COOPERATION and PERSEVERANCE play out in fights for freedom around the world.

Seasons of Change: From Freedom Summer to Arab Spring will feature:

• Reception – light snacks after the film
• Movie screening – Showcase a collection of the film snippets that present an accurate and compelling representation of the Egyptian movement series, and the critical events that led to the Egyptian uprising
• Discuss parallel between Egyptian and American Civil Rights Movement
• Panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Haug from the University of Cincinnati, along with distinguished panel of thought leaders (professors).

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Jackie Wallace at 513.333.7589 or jwallace@nurfc.org.

The Dream Is Real Weekend is an entertainment and tourism weekend designed to raise funds to assists students in pursuit of their dreams in higher education. The weekend was founded by Barbara “Bobbi” Howard Reece,  co-founder of  Operation Step Up, Inc. and the mother of  Ohio State Rep. Alicia Reece.  Unfortunately, after battling breast cancer and multiple sclerosis for 12 years, Barbara was unable to see the weekend become a reality.  Now in its 4th year, the weekend has given away over $30,000 in scholarships and has been deemed as the 3rd largest urban weekend in Cincinnati, OH.

The Midwest’s Largest All-White Party is an event that encourages guests to dress in all white attire,  and will be held at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The night promises 3 “themed rooms,” including one with music spun by Hip Hop legend, DJ Biz Markie, a Chicago Stepper’s Lounge, and an Old School Lounge featuring Soul Pocket Band.

For a limited time only,  discount tickets available online for  $20 using the code word  “FREEDOM.”

$30 general admission

$50 VIP ticket includes admission in VIP area, 1 year national membership to the Freedom Center & food.

To purchase tickets click here.  For more information, contact Bernadette Watson at bwatson4@cinci.rr.com or 513-253-1560.

Every other month, the Follow the North Star series presents Family Activity to engage children and their families. For this month’s activity, children and their families will participate in weaving, quilting, and learning the history with members of the Women of Color Quilter’s Network. Families will also engage in activities exploring Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson’s RagGonNon to help create their own.

To RSVP, contact Jyreika Guest at 513.333.7505 or jguest@nurfc.org

Music can tell a story, assuage our sorrows, provide blessing and redemption, and express a soul’s sublime and powerful beauty. It inspires us daily, giving voice to the human spirit. In honor of  Juneteenth and to kick off our Music of Change initiative this summer, the Freedom Center presents an unforgettable evening of music featuring the soulful sounds of jazz, spoken word, and contemporary R&B with The Professionals Band. Join us for Jazz on the Banks!

Cost: $10.00 per person

Cash Bar Available

Food by Scott’s Barbecue

About The Professionals Band:

The Professionals band is a six-piece group based in Cincinnati, OH, that was formed in 1962.  When the group was formed, the name, The Professionals, was chosen because all of the original members were teachers in the Cincinnati Public School System. The group consists of John Washington (keyboard), the only original member, Michael Langford (bass guitar), Jerome Johnson (lead guitar and vocals), and Byron Anderson (drums/percussion).  In addition to the core group, we have Kim White (saxophones) and Anita White and V Gibson (vocalist).

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom finally came down to those enslaved in Texas, the westernmost of the Confederate states.  Juneteenth became so significant in black communities that it inspired many to purchase and reserve plots of land as a public parks and celebration grounds for festive Juneteenth gatherings. Speeches were given, new works of art were created, and dancing took place. Wagons were decorated with flowers and a parade would proceed.

In collaboration with Cincinnati Juneteenth, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will hold a parade on June 16 along Mehring Way, through historic “Little Africa”.  Those crossing the river in hopes of obtaining freedom would travel through this area.  It is said that many of those Freedom Seekers would find safe refuge in “Little Africa.”  What better way to celebrate the end of American slavery than with a parade. Join us in celebrating freedom with every step!

Juneteenth commemorates the end of American slavery and the beginning of African American Independence. It serves has a historical milestone reminding all Americans of the triumph of the human spirit over the institution of bodily slavery.  Juneteenth honors those ancestors who endured the hopeless grief and crimes involved with slavery, as well as reflecting pride in the great legacies of courage, resistance, and perseverance embodied in those who helped to abolish American slavery.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will hold a celebration in the Grand Hall featuring African drumming, storytelling, and other performances.  Join us in celebrating freedom!

This forum will look at the continuum of African-American music from field songs and spirituals to Hip-Hop and identify many of the communicative, spiritual and political properties. Contribution from scholars and enthusiast of these respective genres of music will provide an introduction into the world of African American music from its beginnings to bring the forum into perspective.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to samples of music from different eras and learn the history of how and why these musical styles developed.

The Language You Cry In is a remarkable story, tracing one song from the Gullah culture all the way back to its roots in Africa, in Sierra Leone.  This story speaks of the tenacity of African Americans and their grasping on to pieces of culture at a time when they themselves could not own anything else.

Every other month, the Follow the North Star series presents Family Activity to engage children and their families. For this month’s activity, children will play some of the games popular with children during the era of the Civil War, including graces, ball and cup, and tabletop nine pins.

Music can tell a story, assuage our sorrows, provide blessing and redemption, and express a soul’s sublime and powerful beauty. It inspires us daily, giving voice to the human spirit. In honor of  Juneteenth and to kick off our Music of Change initiative this summer, the Freedom Center presents an unforgettable evening of music featuring the soulful sounds of jazz, spoken word, and contemporary R&B with The Professionals Band. Join us for Jazz on the Banks!

Cost: $10.00 per person

Cash Bar Available

Food by Scott’s Barbecue

About The Professionals Band:

The Professionals band is a six-piece group based in Cincinnati, OH, that was formed in 1962.  When the group was formed, the name, The Professionals, was chosen because all of the original members were teachers in the Cincinnati Public School System. The group consists of John Washington (keyboard), the only original member, Michael Langford (bass guitar), Jerome Johnson (lead guitar and vocals), and Byron Anderson (drums/percussion).  In addition to the core group, we have Kim White (saxophones) and Anita White and V Gibson (vocalist).

Many of the enslaved brought to the Caribbean Islands came from Africa’s Guinea coast. They were packed into the ship’s hold so tightly that they could not move freely and sometimes suffocated to death. Those who survived were paraded through the streets to the slave market where they were auctioned off. They were forced to adopt new cultural customs and languages. Rebellion was common.  In 1831, a massive rebellion in Jamaica destroyed many sugar estates, motivating Parliament to sanction the Emancipation Act of 1834.  From the roots of this history and culture, a mode of resistance was born in the form of Reggae music.  This program will explore the conditions of the enslaved in the Caribbean and highlight the development of Caribbean culture and art.