FALL RIVER, Mass. - s4story -- Fall River, MA — Communities across Massachusetts will take part in a growing cultural movement this year—gathering to read, reflect on, and discuss Frederick Douglass' 1852 speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?. The Bristol Black Collective is pleased to announce it has received a Reading Frederick Douglass Together grant from Mass Humanities with funding made possible by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The life and works of Frederick Douglass continue to shape our understanding of America. A gifted orator and visionary writer, Douglass challenged the nation to confront the realities of slavery and the promises of democracy. Each year, Mass Humanities organizes and supports free public events where communities gather to read and discuss Douglass's influential address.

These funds will support a free public reading and facilitated discussion on June 27 at 12:00 PM at Fall River Heritage State Park as part of the Bristol Black Collective's Juneteenth programming. The event will also feature an exhibit with excerpts of the speech and images of Frederick Douglass, creating opportunities for reflection, learning, and community dialogue.

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"We are honored to receive this support from Mass Humanities and to bring this important program to our community," said Tia Castellano, Executive Director of the Bristol Black Collective. "Reading Frederick Douglass Together creates space for meaningful conversations about history, justice, and the continued pursuit of equity while connecting community members through shared learning and reflection."

For more information on the Reading Frederick Douglass Together grant program, visit https://masshumanities.org/. Organizations interested in future opportunities are encouraged to follow @masshumanities on social media and visit their website.

About Bristol Black Collective

The Bristol Black Collective is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black history, culture, and community through public programming, education, arts, and civic engagement initiatives across the South Coast region.

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About Mass Humanities

Mass Humanities, a nonprofit foundation based in Northampton, creates opportunities for the people of Massachusetts to transform their lives and build a more equitable commonwealth through the humanities. Since its founding in 1974, the organization has provided millions of dollars in support of thousands of humanities projects across the Commonwealth. Established as the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Mass Humanities is an independent programming and grantmaking organization supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and private sources.