Du Bois Freedom Center Scholars Series
“Strive for that greatness of spirit that measures life not by its disappointments but by its possibilities.”
The Du Bois Freedom Center’s Annual Scholars Series
This hybrid series runs November through May and is hosted and supported by the Du Bois Freedom Center, with the goal of elevating important work and conversations around the writings, history, life, and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois.
Each event within the series is intended for a wide community of educators, life-long learners, and future scholars to spark deeper work and focus on Dr. Du Bois.
We invite you to register for single sessions or the full series as we welcome regional and national scholars to discuss and explore the power of W.E.B. Du Bois’ work, its role, and what it can teach us about this moment.
2026-2027 Du Bois Freedom Center Scholars Series Schedule
Inaugural Event- November 11th, 2026 Honoring
Shirley Graham Du Bois
Shirley Graham Du Bois, 1946 • Photo: Carl Van Vechten
A special virtual Scholar Talk celebrating the life and legacy of Shirley Graham Du Bois (1896–1977) on what would have been her 130th birthday.
• Wednesday, November 11, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM Eastern •
Join the Du Bois Freedom Center for special event and conversation in honor of Shirley Graham Du Bois birthday, featuring scholars Annette K. Joseph-Gabriel and Phillip Luke Sinitiere, editors of Shirley Graham Du Bois: Artist, Activist, and Author in the African Diaspora, the first scholarly collection devoted to her life and legacy.
Shirley Graham was a pioneering and award-winning playwright, author, composer, intellectual, and champion of women’s rights and political activism whose work helped shape Black freedom struggles across the twentieth century.
Following an introduction to Graham Du Bois, the editors will discuss selected chapters and explore her remarkable career as an artist, author, and activist, from her contributions to African American literature and theater to her involvement in civil rights, Pan-Africanism, and international liberation movements.
The event will conclude with a moderated discussion and audience Q&A, inviting participants to engage with the scholars and discover new perspectives on a remarkable figure in Black history.