Reading frederick douglass together resources

Guidelines and documents to help you host a successful event.

plan your event

You may choose to host an event at your community center or historical society, at a public day or festival in your town, before Independence Day fireworks, in your backyard, or even at a fair.

To get started, you need to apply for a Reading Frederick Douglass Together grant. 

For more information on grants and other ways to plan events, please contact Dr. Latoya Bosworth, Program Officer, at lbosworth@masshumanities.org.

OUR MISSION

We create opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable Commonwealth through the humanities.
AT OUR CORE

WE BELIEVE the humanities illuminate our deepest concerns and reflect our aspirations

recipe for a successful reading

We believe a more inclusive society that embraces diverse voices and different perspectives is possible. And that work starts right here. At Mass Humanities, we are committed to championing inclusion, opportunity, equitable access and diverse representation both internally and in Massachusetts.

We suggest that you read the speech at a local event or commemoration. Any number of places would make for a good reading, such as with the lunch crowd in a public place, at the public library, during a 4th of July family barbecue, before the local fireworks display, or at microphones set up on the steps of the town hall. You could also work with a private group and use the speech as your book club’s monthly read, for example.

The speech (edited for different lengths) is available below for download. Make copies for readers and audience members. If it is a large event, you may need to arrange for amplification, and depending on the location, you may need to get a permit from your town hall and/or arrange for wheelchair access and seating. If your event will include a moderated discussion, be sure to prepare for that. Local (community) colleges are great places to find discussion leaders, and Mass Humanities will fund a reasonable stipend for a humanities scholar to serve as a discussion leader.

People talk more freely and happily if they can have something to eat and drink. If the event is public, oftentimes a local market (including the supermarket) is willing to donate cookies or fruit and lemonade.

Invite locally well-known persons to introduce the event or start off the reading. Collaborate with other organizations so that you will have more attendees, more resources, and more publicity. (Consider if you will need a permit and/or amplification.)

Download this PDF for tips on leading trauma-informed discussions, best practices, and other suggestions.

Download this PDF for proactive tips and strategies to maintain safety and security at your event.

Publicity for your reading

Please read through the Mass Humanities Publicity Guidelines. We encourage you to download our Media Kit as well.

Submit your event to your local public radio station and other online community calendars. Some online calendars allow you to submit a small image for a calendar listing. You can download an image of Douglass here.

Creating change
through grantmaking

2022

$ 0 M+
in grants awarded
0
CLEMENTE STUDENTS
0
READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS TOGETHER COMMUNITIES
0
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED

Alert your state rep

Find out who they are and invite them! Find your Senator’s telephone and email. Find your Representative’s telephone and email. Phone and fax communications are most effective.

Event poster

Below you will find a downloadable poster to customize with your event’s details. You will need Acrobat Reader to edit the PDF. Just click on the poster graphic to download, open the PDF, and fill in the details on the screen. Print and copy as needed.

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