Since the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened its doors in 2004, it has used stories from the Underground Railroad era to challenge, inspire and educate its visitors. By presenting permanent and special exhibits, public programming and educational resources, the Freedom Center has helped define inclusive freedom.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Freedom Center to temporarily close, it seized the opportunity to find new ways to engage with its visitors. Like many other organizations, it turned to digital.
“The pandemic proved to be challenging in many areas, but the digital world has been a really fun space to work in,” Katie Bramell, director of museum experiences, says. “We have developed a wide array of content, ranging from social media posts to a robust online learning catalogue, which educators and parents can use while teaching from home.”
The Freedom Center has also developed a series of virtual programs, designed to help deliver its message.
“Although the Freedom Center is situated on the banks of the Ohio River, we’re a national institution. Through our virtual programming, we can engage with people far beyond the Greater Cincinnati area,” Chris Miller, senior director of education and community engagement, explains.
Last June, the Freedom Center launched its “Unmasking the Realities” webinar series. The series tackles uncomfortable, contemporary topics related to injustices and inequities. The first episode, titled “Voices of Social Justice,” dealt with the face of social justice, how systemic racism continues to reveal itself, and why the deaths of several African Americans at the hands of the police served as a tipping point for national unrest.
“We saw thousands of people protesting for justice, especially after the killing of George Floyd,” Miller says. “It was a multi-cultural collective that was a little different from other protests we’ve seen in the past. We wanted to engage in that conversation.”
The Freedom Center has produced several other “Unmasking the Realities” webinars, each one focusing on a relevant social justice- related topic. “Mental Health Under the Weight of Racism and COVID” addresses the impact racism has had on Black mental health. “Racial Equity in Education” discusses the equity problem in education and the disparities in student outcomes, teacher performances and admission practices linked to race. Several prominent law enforcement officials in Cincinnati served as panelists for “Law & Order, Peace & Justice,” which analyzed the tumultuous, centuries-long relationship between police and the Black community.
“The goal of the ‘Unmasking the Realities’ series is to start meaningful dialogues and provide constructive actions toward justice equity,” Miller states. “We’re taking a pulse of what’s currently happening in society, adding historical context and starting a conversation.”
In October 2020, The Freedom Center hosted a digital lecture titled “Unpacking Voter Suppression: A Virtual Discussion with Gloria Steinem.” “We had been planning a year-long celebration to commemorate the centennial of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote,” Bramell explains. “Because of the pandemic and because of the different social injustices that happened last summer, we decided to pivot the conversation and focus on the importance of voting rights.”
Gloria Steinem’s participation was a great opportunity, Bramell notes. Steinem, a sociopolitical activist and advocate for liberation and gender equality, provided unique insights on activism, feminism and other civil rights issues.
“The topic of voting rights is very important to Gloria,” Bramell says. “She was enthusiastic to use our platform to encourage people to go out and vote.”
The Freedom Center hosted a virtual happy hour with the women of Uncle Nearest in December. Named after Nathaniel “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man, Uncle Nearest is a brand of premium Tennessee whiskey. The happy hour included a chat with Victoria Eady Butler, Green’s great granddaughter, and Rawnica Dillingham, mar- keting manager for Uncle Nearest Inc. The women shared some fun tidbits about the history of the brand and its founder (Fun Fact: Green taught a young Jack Daniels the craft of distilling). Cincinnati-based mixologist and business owner, Erin Fox of Foxtails, was also on hand to demonstrate how to create mouth-watering, bourbon-based cock- tails at home.
“The virtual happy hour was so much fun! It was rich in history and rich in the story of the brand,” Bramell recalls. “It was great to highlight a company that is run by women and owned by a Black woman.”
Moving forward, The Freedom Center will continue using its digital platform to connect with visitors across the nation. Upcoming events include participating in Cincinnati’s Juneteenth Festival from June 19-20. The Freedom Center is also partnering in the Truth & Reconciliation: Project Grant for Black and Brown Artists, funded by City of Cincinnati, ArtsWave and Duke Energy.
“Our goal is to inspire society and give people the courage to cooperate with each other and have perspective and empathy as we navigate the social realities of today,” Miller says. “The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a resource in overcoming challenges while providing a meaningful experience.”
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is located at 50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202. For more information on upcoming programs and events, call 513.333.7739 or visit freedomcenter.org.