North Carolina Freedom Park: Celebrating Freedom and the African American Experience

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 | Program 7pm – 8 pm, followed by Q & A

Whitted Building, 300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC

Envision an inspiring, 45-foot-tall, illuminated sculpture reaching towards the sky from the center of downtown Raleigh – a “Beacon of Freedom,” the centerpiece of North Carolina Freedom Park – a one-acre park that honors the African American experience and struggle for freedom in North Carolina. Join the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition on Tues., March 28th at 7 pm in Hillsborough to learn about this new landmark currently being constructed in North Carolina’s Capital.

An idea conceived 20 years ago by the Paul Green Foundation, North Carolina Freedom Park is based on the visionary design of the late Phil Freelon (renowned architect of Washington DC’s Museum of African American History & Culture), and will include 20 inspirational quotes from North Carolina leaders (the “Voices of Freedom”) artfully inscribed along the walls of five walkways leading to the Beacon. A concept benefiting from the wisdom of the late Dr. John Hope Franklin (who served as the founding chair of the Freedom Park Advisory Board), and with the support of the Mellon Foundation’s “Monuments Project,” Freedom Park is being constructed by the socially conscious Holt Brothers Construction Company.

All are invited to join us on Tuesday, March 28^th to learn about Freedom Park’s inspiration, purpose, and development, as well as how the Park will inspire and benefit all North Carolinians.

Presenters

• Marsha Warren, past director of the Paul Green Foundation and a N. C. Literary Hall of Fame inductee, will share the remarkable story of the project’s development
• Reginald Hildebrand, retired professor of African American Studies & History at UNC Chapel Hill, will speak about the message, meaning, and significance of Freedom Park for all North Carolinians
• Reginald Hodges, former Director of the Durham Literacy Center and expert on African art, will provide an illustrated discussion of the actual construction of Freedom Park.
• Moderated by James E. Williams, Jr., co-founder & co-chair of the Orange County Community Remembrance Coalition

The presentations will last from 7 pm – 8 pm and will be followed by a question and answer period.  This IN-PERSON program is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested, but not required. Streaming will not be available.

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf17xZwA7YaB1wzrpFtY9zJtekHmVpra5o-rBihy0uFD6UgVQ/viewform