Reading Frederick Douglass Together

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton.

Come gather in community to read and discuss Frederick Douglass’ famous address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” At Reading Frederick Douglass Together, we’ll read, listen to, and reflect on the speech in an interactive program facilitated by Newton Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ).

This program will feature readings of Douglass’s anti-slavery address by community members, followed by a facilitated discussion with Dr. Melissa Berry-Woods, connecting Douglass's denunciations of slavery and forceful examination of the Constitution with contemporary lived experiences of people across our city.

Among the readers will be City and State elected officials, scholars, and community leaders, including Tamika Olszewski (Newton School Committee), Randy Johnson (Newton Parks & Recreation Commission), and Dr. Melissa Berry-Woods (Bunker Hill Community College). And we invite you to add your voice!

You are welcome to volunteer to read, participate in the discussion, or attend to listen and reflect. No registration is needed to attend the event. If you want to read a portion of the speech aloud, you can [sign up to be a reader here]. If you sign up, members of FORJ will reach out to you with the portion of the address you will be reading and advice on presenting your portion of the speech. However you participate, we look forward to reflecting on the themes of the speech with you.

The Inquisitor | Screening and Discussion

Meet Barbara Jordan: a civil rights icon whose powerful voice masked a complex private life.

Date: Monday, February 23, 2026

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:15 pm

Location: Druker Auditorium (Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton)

Registration required: here (open to first 30 registrants)

Join the Newton Free Library, GBH, and FORJ for an Indie Lens Pop-Up! This event will feature a screening of the Independent Lens documentary The Inquisitor, followed by an interactive discussion led by facilitators from Families Organizing for Racial Justice Newton North High School (FORJ NNHS) including Jacqueline Badeau, Runa Islam, Madeline McNeely, Roben Torosyan.

Register now (open to first 30 registrants).

Juneteenth 2026

On Friday, June 19, 2026, Newton’s free Juneteenth celebration starts at 3PM at the Hyde Community Center (90 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands).

• A party atmosphere from 3PM hosted by DJ Firestarta

• Shopping unique finds from local artisans and craft vendors

• Live performances that move your spirit (African dancing by Afro Diamond, Newton reggae artist DJ Everla$t)

• Meet the New England Patriots cheerleaders

• Two food trucks serving up delicious Caribbean flavors: Reggae Foods and Gourmet Kreyol

• A Summer Concert Series event featuring hip-hop cover band sensation The GRV from 6–8 PM

• Stretch out under the summer sky for an 8PM screening of Black Panther, the critically acclaimed box office delight that defines Black Excellence.

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The celebration this year rejects division and embraces ‘Joyful resistance!’, uplifting the value and richness of African-American culture and Black Excellence. All residents and visitors are invited to help celebrate 161 years since the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans. Speaking of excellence, the event will honor the service of featured guest, Dr. Henry Turner, Newton North High School Principal of 10 years, who departs to assume his new role as Superintendent of Reading Public Schools.

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Follow the evolving details of the event on Eventbrite or Facebook, and please spread the word far and wide!

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Event partners include fiscal sponsor, Families Organizing for Justice (FORJ), the Newton Coalition of Black Residents (NCBR), and FORJ@Newton North High School (FORJ NNHS).

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Generous support is provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Harmony Foundation, and Village Bank. This Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts program is supported by Spark Newton in collaboration with The City of Newton.