On December 16, Freedom House in Dorchester marked a momentous milestone—75 years of unwavering commitment to equity, education, and leadership. The vibrant anniversary celebration honored its rich history, highlighted its ongoing impact, and cast a hopeful vision for the future.

As part of the evening’s commemoration, Freedom House youth and staff, in collaboration with The Reckonings Project, provided an immersive way to engage with Freedom House’s story. Guests explored nine striking layout posters featuring quotes, photos, and biographies of individuals who have played pivotal roles in the organization’s journey. From the former CEO Gail Snowden to Project REACH alumni Chris and Kai Grant, and emerging voices like Destiny Rogers, these displays showcase a range of perspectives. They are curated based on a multigenerational interviewing project led by Freedom House junior coaches. Through personal narratives, the displays capture the past, present, and future of Freedom House and the causes it has served—and continues to serve. Each poster provides stories of resilience, activism, and the impact of Freedom House in shaping lives, policies, and communities.

The event also introduced to a broader audience the Freedom House and Roxbury/Dorchester Community Stories book project, set for release in the early summer. Attendees were invited to contribute to the book’s journey by voting on possible titles. QR codes embedded in the displays linked guests to the Freedom House Legacy website, which features a timeline of Freedom House History, archival materials, and an example of transcripts and audio recordings from the interviewing project. Additionally, physical zines from Freedom House’s archives were available, bridging past and present narratives. The zines, carefully crafted by Freedom House  scholars last summer, contain rare photographs, firsthand accounts, and reflections on Freedom House’s transformative role over the decades.

Throughout the evening, interactive elements encouraged guests to reflect on Freedom House’s impact. Prompts on posters posed thought-provoking questions such as, “What would you preserve from your community?” Attendees were encouraged to write their responses and pin them onto a communal reflection board, allowing for a collective expression of hopes, memories, and aspirations. These prompts sparked meaningful discussions about legacy and progress, fostering a deeper connection among attendees.

A creative and reflective centerpiece of the night was the “Dream Portal” phone booth, an installation by Crystal Bi with support from Dzidzor Azaglo. This unique experience with prompts generated by Freedom House youth allowed participants to call into an old-style phone and share their visions for Freedom House’s future. Messages conveyed pride in Freedom House and dreams of expanded youth programs, stronger community partnerships, and continued advocacy for racial and educational equity.

A highlight of the evening were the speakers, who shared their personal connections to Freedom House and reflected on its lasting influence. Charmaine Arthur, CEO of Freedom House, spoke about the importance of celebrating both the history and the future of the organization, emphasizing the vibrancy and strength of the community. Jumaada Smith, J.D., coordinator of the elder organization Goldenaires, shared heartfelt memories of how Freedom House has impacted generations, providing a sense of belonging and support. Kevin Williams, now a PUSH College Success Coach at Freedom House, and together with Alex Mella a lead in the interviewing project, reflected on his experience mentoring younger participants and the ways Freedom House continues to empower youth leadership. George “Chip” Greenidge, a Project REACH alumnus, spoke about his experience and how it is important for him to test ideas and grow as a community leader. Dzidzor Azaglo from the Reckonings Project spoke on the significance of documenting and preserving these stories and on collaborations to ensure that the legacy of Freedom House remains accessible and inspiring for future generations.

Looking ahead, the collaboration between Freedom House and the Reckonings Project extends into this year, supported by Mass Humanities for Roxbury-Dorchester Community Stories, a grant awarded to Freedom House. In this initiative, Freedom House PUSH scholars will bring the intergenerational interviews and historical research to broader audiences, celebrating Freedom House’s deep influence across Roxbury, Dorchester, Boston, and beyond. The December celebration was not just a reflection on the past but a call to action, inspiring all who attended to contribute to the ongoing legacy and mission of Freedom House.

Every Monday and Thursday, from 11:45 AM to 1:25 PM, this Spring semester, students gather for a dynamic exploration of Black women’s leadership in Boston and across the African Diaspora. Black Women Lead, a service-learning course inspired by the Black Women Lead project, immerses students in research on the stories of Black women who have shaped and enriched Boston’s history—and whose impact has often reached well beyond Boston. The project, led by Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, has featured 212 Black women leaders from the 1700s to the present on banners along Blue Hill Avenue since 2023 in one of the world’s largest public art projects. In 2024, Northeastern Crossing also hosted an exhibit of women leaders featured in the project and who have connections to Northeastern, women like judge and law professor Margaret Burnham, artist and arts professor Ekua Holmes, and community organizer and university administrator Ellen Jackson.

The course is led by Dr. Régine Michelle Jean-Charles, the Director of Africana Studies, Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, and Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Northeastern University. She is also a Black feminist literary scholar and cultural critic specializing in the intersections of race, gender, and justice. She and her students partner with the Greater Grove Hall Main Streets, the League of Women for Community Service, Mother Caroline Academy, the Boston Research Center (BRC), and Reckonings in this course.

In the course, students dive into the “how, why, and what” of Black women’s leadership, examining their diverse experiences and perspectives. Guided by BRC Co-directors Caitlin Pollock (Associate Director, Digital Scholarship Group) and Tieanna Graphenreed (Boston Public Library),  students research and write Wikipedia entries dedicated to these remarkable women. Supported by Dzidzor Azaglo from Reckonings, some students go beyond written records, conducting interviews and shadowing living honorees to develop multimedia profiles that bring their stories to life. A third group of students is partnering with Mother Caroline Academy, designing an age-appropriate Black Women Lead curriculum for elementary and middle school students to introduce young learners to these inspiring figures.

Recently, students visited  the archives and special collections at Northeastern University’s Snell Library, where they collaborated on research, shared insights, and worked together to develop their articles.  Guided by NU archivist Molly Brown, students worked with letters, photographs, and newspaper clippings. Through their collaborations, students are not just learning about history—they are actively shaping how it is told and ensuring that these stories reach a wider audience.

As the semester progresses, students and their partners reflect on critical questions: What does leadership look like in practice? Who gets remembered, and why? With every article written and every story shared, students are actively shaping the historical record—ensuring that Black women’s leadership is remembered, recognized, honored, and studied for generations to come.