Our Mission
The mission of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy is to educate the public about the life and legacy of civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of the Berkshires.
Located at the former Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington, where he was born and raised, this vibrant center of Black thought and remembrance constitutes the first museum and living memorial in North America dedicated to Du Bois’ life and legacy.
Welcoming Our New Interim Executive Director:
Dr. John D. Lloyd
We are proud to announce the appointment of Dr. John D. Lloyd as the Interim Executive Director of the Du Bois Freedom Center.
With more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Dr. Lloyd brings a strategic, community-centered vision to guide the Center through its next chapter. As principal of Agile Consulting Group, he has worked with mission-driven organizations nationwide to foster growth, sustainability, and inclusive impact.
At the Du Bois Freedom Center, Dr. Lloyd will oversee operations, strengthen partnerships, and advance programming that celebrates the life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois—a global advocate for democracy, education, and racial justice.
We are excited to welcome Dr. Lloyd into this pivotal role and invite our community to connect with his leadership in shaping the future of the Center.
September Reflections: W.E.B. Du Bois and Civil Rights Milestones
This month we honor milestones in W.E.B. Du Bois’s legacy and the civil rights movement. On September 9, 1957, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 became the first federal civil rights law since Reconstruction. On September 19, 1980, the Du Bois Papers opened at UMass Amherst, preserving his powerful voice for future generations. And on September 28, 1980, Great Barrington dedicated the Du Bois River Garden, celebrating his vision of justice “born by a golden river.”
🕊️ These September anniversaries remind us that Du Bois’s fight for equality and freedom still inspires today.
Explore W. E. B. Du Bois & African American Heritage in Great Barrington
Every summer, discover the legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois and the rich African American heritage of Great Barrington with our immersive “Walking Through History” tours.
Join our guided, in-person tours led by distinguished Du Bois scholars, educators, and our Interim Executive Director, Dr. John D. Lloyd. These thoughtfully curated walks offer a personal and insightful journey through the neighborhoods, landmarks, and stories that shaped Du Bois’s early life and his enduring impact in Great Barrington.
Whether you’re a longtime scholar or a first-time visitor, each tour offers a powerful connection to our shared history—and a vision for the future.
“The W. E. B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy presents a singular opportunity to reclaim and extend in Du Bois’ hometown, the Black intellectual, artistic traditions, and social movements to which he dedicated his life’s work.”
—David Levering Lewis, Pulitzer Prize-winning Du Bois Biographer
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