Frederick Douglass Honor Society

It is easier to build strong children

Than to repair broken men

This is the year that we celebrate the 200th birthday of Frederick Douglass, our native son. There will be celebrations throughout the year all over Talbot County and the State of Maryland.

The Frederick Douglass Honor Society announces some events scheduled for September and October.

The Hill Day (Block Party)

September 8, 2018 at the Asbury United Methodist Church site from 11am- 5pm. There will be space available for any information or advertisements that honor Frederick Douglass. Like last year this will be a community event meant to celebrate "The Hill." For more information please contact Rev. Dartanyon Hines at revdlhines@gmail.com.

Opening of Exhibition– Shore Explorations: Chesapeake Bay: Land, Water and Life

September 7th – October 7th a month-long immersive exhibition focusing on what it means to be “of the Eastern Shore”. The inspiration for the exhibition comes from Frederick Douglass, perhaps the best known Eastern Shore native. The renowned social reformer, abolitionist, orator and statesman maintained life-long connections to the Eastern Shore community.

Location: Waterfowl Building/Festival Hall, Harrison & South Sts, Easton, MD

The following events are a part of a series of evening programs held in conjunction with Shore Explorations, Land Water and Life at the Waterfowl Building/Festival Hall.

September 8, 2018 – 5:30 – 8:00 pm - Book Tour Presentation - The Frederick Douglass Honor Society is pleased to welcome Celeste-Marie Bernier, Professor of Black Studies and Personal Chair in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh for a discussion of her new book, If I Survive. The program will focus on the private life of Frederick Douglass as a family man, whose reform work was made possible not only through his own vision and determination but with the support and collaborative efforts of his family. Marking two hundred years since the birth of Frederick Douglass, If I Survive is a collection of previously unpublished essays, speeches, autobiographies and letters written by the women and men in the Douglass family. Working together against a changing backdrop of US slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction, the Douglass family fought for a new “dawn of freedom.” The 900-page book includes a Douglass family biography with beautiful, powerful and breathtaking letters, stories and photographs of Frederick Douglass and his sons, Lewis Henry, Frederick Jr. and Charles Remond Douglass. Unafraid to die for the cause, each dedicated his life to the emancipation of slavery and to social justice.” More Info

September 15, 2018 - A Celebration and Fundraising Party will be held to honor Frederick Douglass, continue his legacy of building strong children, and fund raise for the Mid-Shore Early Learning Center, a nonprofit childcare center in Easton, MD. This early-evening (5-8 pm) party will celebrate with gratitude Frederick Douglass’ life and legacy for the children of the Mid-Shore, provide much-needed support for the Mid-Shore Early Learning Center, and feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, drinks, and fundraising games (balloon game, 50-50 raffle, silent auction, go fish). Tickets are $60 each or $100 for two, and are available here. Please see our event webpage or Facebook page for more information.

Frederick Douglass Day

September 22, 2018 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Dover & West Streets

Join Us in Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ Birth
All activities are free and open to the public including: a Parade, Welcome Ceremony (at the Courthouse), and at the Library - lectures featuring Dr. Spencer Crew and Kenneth B. Morris, Jr.,
Gospel Choirs & DJ, Children's Village (Games, Prizes & Book Signing), food & craft vendors, and
Dancing in the Streets with the XPD’s 2 hour Motown Revue!
Partners: Frederick Douglass Honor Society, Talbot County Government, Town of Easton, Talbot County Free Library, Frederick Douglass 200th Planning Committee, Maryland State Arts Council and The Talbot County Arts Council.
Frederick Douglass Day Children's Village Sticker Challenge.
The Sticker Challenge is designed to raise community awareness about the Frederick Douglass Honor Society's Scholarship Program by engaging families in fundraising for it. Children are asked to choose and color a large sticker which portrays the life and words of Frederick Douglass, then place their sticker on the 'Sticker Wall', a panel of 66 unfilled circles that are the same size as the stickers. For each circle they fill, funds will be donated to the Scholarship Program. Last year, children and their parents had a lot a fun helping to raise money and learn about Frederick Douglass. This year, we are looking for more donors to sponsor the Sticker Challenge!

Frederick – An Opera performed by Jason McKinney at the Waterfowl Building/Festival Hall

September 28, 2018 “Frederick” A Musical Narrative featuring Jason S. McKinney

6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. The world premier of the original work “Frederick” is being co- sponsored by Brookletts Place Talbot County Senior Center, the Frederick Douglass 200 Celebration Committee and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society to commemorate the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey Douglass. This adaption of the written and spoken words from the great U.S. Statesman and Talbot County native explores his life and legacy. The production is written and performed by Mr. McKinney, who has performed on stage in venues such as The Kennedy Center, The White House, The Semper Opera House in Desden, Germany and the Theatre Carre in Amsterdam Netherlands, to name a few. Mr. McKinney recently portrayed Paul Robeson for the Center this past fall at the Easton High School Auditorium.

NAACP Freedom Banquet

October 13, 2018 at the Milestone.

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The 2016 Frederick Douglass Day coloring book