Return of the Freedom Library

Scribe Video Center in partnership with Jubilee School Students present “Return of the Freedom Library,” a pop-up library and celebration of Black history and literature.

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ABOUT THE PROJECT:

In 1964, John Churchville, inspired by the work of Malcolm X, created the Freedom Library. Its purpose was to expose his North Philadelphia community to the under-told stories of Black history and literature.

On July 25th, Jubilee students in grades 4th and 5th grades will present their version of the Freedom Library in order to honor the legacy of the original library and its founder, Dr. John Churchville. The event will take place in a large tent outside the Wagner Institute of Science, not far from where the original Freedom Library was. Bookshelves will be filled with books telling stories of people of color from Philadelphia and around the world. Most of the books were written, illustrated and published by Jubilee students through their student-created publishing company, Jubilee Voices Publishing House.

The main speaker at the event will be Dr. John Churchville, who will speak about the process of creating the Freedom Library, how it evolved into a school, and how it eventually gave birth to a powerful coalition of North Philadelphia community members called the Black People’s Unity Movement. Through poetry and artwork, Jubilee students will honor members of the BPUM who are no longer with us and will pay tribute to them through a ceremony of libations.

Other activities throughout the day will include story time for children, a time for playing Black history games, and a dance performed by Jubilee students. A highlight will be a performance by the jazz musician Alfie Pollit.

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Event Flow:

11:00AM Welcome; exploring the library

11:30AM Introductions; announcement of schedule; short talk about why students are

celebrating the original Freedom Library

12:00PM Talk about history of Freedom Library and Black People’s Unity Movement

by John Churchville

12:30PM Students honor members of BPUM who have died with poetry and art

1:00PM Story time, Black history games, refreshments

2:00PM Poetry

2:30PM Afro-Brazilian Drumming by Jubilee students

3:00PM Performance by jazz musician Alfie Pollitt

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ABOUT THE CULTURAL WORKERS:

The Jubilee School is a learning community providing students with the opportunity to gain knowledge of the riches of their legacy through scholarship, the arts and the celebration of their African American heritage. Through their writing and social activism, students experience the power of their individual and collective voices to effect change in the world. Founded in 1977, Jubilee’s commitment is to provide a rigorous, comprehensive private school education that is affordable to all, regardless of income.

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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:

The North Philadelphia History Festival (NPHF) is a cultural celebration of the African American and Puerto Rican communities in North Philadelphia. Across four days, historic sites along Ridge Avenue, North Broad Street, and other locales will be transformed into living exhibits created by artists, historians, curators, and other cultural workers. These multimedia projects and events explore the emergence and impact of these communities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

All events will be free and open to the public. Visit Scribe’s website to learn more here.

Lead support for the North Philadelphia History Festival is provided by the William Penn Foundation.

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

RSVP & Entry:

The event is held outdoors & RSVP is not required for entry.

Accessibility Information:

The event is held outdoors underneath a tent on a grassy area outside the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Steps are required to access the main Wagner building with restrooms.

Parking:

• Recommended: 16th and 17th: No time limits (free)
• Recommended: Montgomery (18th to Broad): No time limits (free)
• Montgomery (West of 18th): 2 hour parking until 8pm (free)
• Bouvier: 2 hour parking until 8pm (free)
• Cecil B. Moore (18th to Broad): 2 hour parking (metered)
• Liacouras Center Parking Garage on 15th Street and Montgomery Avenue

Restrooms:

Restrooms are available inside of the Wagner Free Institute of Science.

Public Transportation:

• 16th St & Montgomery Av (2 Bus)
• 19th St & Montgomery Av (33 Bus)
• Cecil B Moore Ave & Broad (B1 Subway)
• Broad St & Montgomery Av (4 Bus or 16 Bus)
• Cecil B Moore Av & 17th St (3 Bus)

Inclement Weather / Rain Date:

The event is held outside under a tent. Scribe and Jubilee School Students will do their best to accommodate for and notify attendees if changes are expected to the event location and date due to inclement weather. Please RSVP to receive email updates.

Photography:

By attending this event, you consent to be photographed and authorize the use of your image in event-related materials. If you do not wish to be photographed, please notify event staff.