Du Bois Freedom Center Receives Generous Gift from the Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation

July 14, 2025 — Great Barrington, MA

The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy is honored to share that the Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation has made a generous gift in support of our ongoing work to preserve and activate the legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois.

This philanthropic support will directly contribute to the transformation of the historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church into a dynamic cultural and educational center—a space rooted in freedom, dialogue, and community engagement.

“We are deeply grateful to the Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation for their generous investment in our organization,” said Dr. John D. Lloyd, Interim Executive Director of the Du Bois Freedom Center. “ W. E. B. Du Bois challenged us to think critically, act boldly, and build a more just society. This gift helps ensure that his legacy continues to inform and inspire urgent conversations and collective action—here in Great Barrington, throughout the Berkshires, and beyond.”

The Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation is known for its commitment to high-impact giving in support of education, the arts, and civic life. Their support marks an important milestone in the Du Bois Freedom Center’s ongoing development and restoration efforts.

This gift helps propel the next phase of our work—reimagining the church as a vibrant hub for programming, exhibitions, and public dialogue.

For updates on our progress and upcoming initiatives, visit www.duboisfreedomcenter.org or follow us on social media.