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Creative Sector Day 2026! Thank you to the 600+ artists, changemakers, activists, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, and residents who showed up to demonstrate their support for the arts, creativity, and humanities in Massachusetts. To take action, visit the helpful resources provided by MCAN: https://www.mcan-ma.org/take-action

@masscultural #creativeMA #advocacyweekma26

As part of our ongoing exploration of the 250th this year, we invited a group of Expand Massachusetts Stories grantees to join us in Holyoke on February 25 for a workshop and convening about Black history in the context of the American Revolution. Staff from seven EMS projects joined us, including:

@caccambridge Community Art Center
@companyoneboston Company One Theater
@essexheritage Essex National Heritage Commission
@marblehead_museum Marblehead Museum and Town of Marblehead
@natickhistoricalsociety Natick Historical Society
@kingschapelboston Society of King’s Chapel
@somervillemuseum Somerville Museum

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, as well and the 50th anniversary of Black History Month. Mass Humanities recognizes that both are deeply connected through their shared roots in the nation’s ongoing struggle to define freedom, citizenship, and democracy. As a result, we organized our gathering around a central question: Why is it vital to tell stories of Black history in the context of the American Revolution?

Special thanks to Anika Lopes of @ancestralbridges for sharing her insights into oral history, archives, Black history, and storytelling in the context of the 250th.

Special thanks to @barrfdn and @masscultural for making Expand Massachusetts Stories possible.

Photos and video footage by @brittainperezproductions . Editing by @wesdeshanofilms .

As an American I feel like I have a right to critique my government with my work.”—Illustrator, muralist, and creative director Jah’nyah Spencer reflects on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and how it has influenced her recent work.

Thank you @jahnyahstudios_for sharing your time at Creative Sector Advocacy Day this year.

We spoke with Bob Rivers, Chair of the Board at @easternbank and Chair of @massachusetts250 to learn what the 250th has him thinking about during this historic year. Watch this short clip to learn more!
#ma250 #250th #masshumanities #easternbank

Our annual report for 2025 is now available online! https://masshumanities.org/annual-reports/

Take some time this afternoon to re-live some of our highlights from the past year, including providing $800,000 in Expand Massachusetts Stories grants, supporting 71 readings of Frederick Douglass, bringing the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street "Voices and Votes" exhibit to six rural towns, and congratulating 46 students who graduated from The Clemente Course in the Humanities.

Our annual report was designed by our friends at Maple and Main Creative @maple.main ✨

Thank you to Barr Foundation and Mass Cultural Council for your continued support and belief in our mission. @barrfdn @masscultural

"We have to stay ever vigilant," says president and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, Rahsaan D. Hall. Speaking as part of Silence Dogood's Precedented Times Series, Hall asserts that the public must defend and fight for their rights continuously. You can watch the full discussion on the Forum Network Youtube channel.

“...slowly, steadily, the “we” expanded.”

For Volume 4 of our “People’s Guide to the Revolution,” we’re kicking things off with an essay by Carol Rose, executive director at ACLU of Massachusetts. Visit our website to read “The Revolutionary Power of ‘We’” here: https://masshumanities.org/the-revolutionary-power-of-we/

#civilrights

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Introducing the Clemente Class of 2026🎓

At MLKFS, we believe it takes all of us — and nowhere is that more beautifully on display than at Clemente of @masshumanities graduation.

Once again, we gathered at the AIC Schwartz Campus Center for our annual celebration & a meal prepared by AIC Dining — a fitting table for a community that keeps showing up for one another.

Each graduate is invited to bring someone who has walked this journey with them, someone to speak on their behalf.This year, many of those voices belonged to alumni who had stood in that same moment — now returned to lift someone else.

Women from the first Clemente cohort of 2016 — BrendaHill and Tina Scott — joined the celebration! And our 2026 Class Representative, Idella Sanders-Jones took to the stage sharing reminders that ‘nights like this are proof that investing in yourself is always worth it. We pushed through barriers, carried dreams through doubt, & kept moving forward even when others questioned our path. Every late night, every sacrifice, & every moment we chose not to give up brought us here. This graduation is more than an achievement — it’s a declaration that resilience, belief, & determination can change the course of our lives.’

And our own FSB Lead Case Manager, Alexia Coppedge — herself a 2025 Clemente Graduate and the 2025 Class Speaker,honored the cousin she inspired to enroll. A full circle of mentorship, love, and legacy.

Charlie, another proud Clemente alumnus, recruited a friend and stood up to speak for her — “I see the future in you” and “Moments like this remind us of our collective responsibility.”

And our very own Deyana, who pours into young lives every day through King’s Kids Afterschool, came with her husband Dakota and their son — the next generation present, absorbing what’s possible.

💛This is the Beloved Community in the 4-1-3 in action.

🌟Keep it going — MLK GIVE$ Day is June 3.
One day. Every gift — whatever the size — becomes something lasting. It makes college possible and dreams realized.

🔗 Link in bio: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mlkfsgiveday/

#ShapingFutures #TransformingGenerations #BelovedCommunity413 #keepersofthedream #clemente

Your story matters. Your voice matters. Your perspective matters.

This summer, students ages 12–18 in Worcester will explore identity, culture, and creativity through photography, textiles, and storytelling.

📸 Learn how to use a camera
🎤 Share your story
🧠 Build confidence & leadership
🖼 Showcase your work in a public exhibition

Spots are limited. 

👉 Apply now / DM @donclaude__ for an application

Hosted by @donclaude__ 
Fiscal Sponsor: @judys_jubilee
Funded by @masshumanities

Locations: Clark University (@clarkuniversity) and Worcester Center for Crafts 
(@worcestercenterforcrafts)

There are some words in history that still echo loudly today. Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” is one of them.

On Sunday, June 28, our community will come together at the JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard for Reading Frederick Douglass Together — a collective public reading and community conversation centered around one of the most powerful speeches ever delivered on freedom, democracy, justice, and accountability in America.

This event is about more than reading a historic speech. It’s about reflection. It’s about civic engagement. It’s about community. And it’s about asking ourselves how the words Douglass spoke in 1852 still challenge us today.

One of the most beautiful parts of this program is that it brings together voices from across Cape Cod — different backgrounds, generations, lived experiences, and perspectives — all contributing to one shared reading. There is something incredibly powerful about that.

Whether you come to listen, reflect, participate in discussion, or stand among community, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful afternoon.

🗓 Sunday, June 28, 2026⏰ 1:00 PM📍 JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard397 Main Street, Hyannis(Rain or shine; indoor discussion to follow)

This program is presented in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and supported by Mass Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Mass Cultural Council.

We hope to see you there. 💜

🗓 Saturday, June 20
📍 Morse School, 40 Granite St., Cambridge
⌚ Doors open at 5:15 PM, event begins at 5:30 PM

🔗 Free tickets at worldofchibuzo.org

Frederick Douglass’s landmark speech will be read aloud with original music, reflection and dinner.Join us for an evening of history, art and connection.
This program is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, a state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and is co-sponsored by Friends of the Morse School.
#masshumanities
#masscultural

@masshumanities
@masscultural

ICYMI: "Democracy Abroad: A look at America’s 250th through the eyes of four documentary filmmakers" by Larr Hott.Watch: https://masshumanities.org/democracy-abroad-a-look-at-americas-250th-through-the-eyes-of-four-documentary-filmmakers/