Return of the Freedom Library

In 1964 John Churchville, inspired by the work of Malcolm X, created the Freedom Library. Its purpose was to expose his North Philadelphia community to the under-told stories of Black history and literature.

On July 25th, Jubilee students in grades 4th and 5th grades will present their version of the Freedom Library in order to honor the legacy of the original library and its founder, Dr. John Churchville. The event will take place in a large tent outside the Wagner Institute of Science, not far from where the original Freedom Library was. Bookshelves will be filled with books telling stories of people of color from Philadelphia and around the world. Most of the books were written, illustrated and published by Jubilee students through their student created publishing company, Jubilee Voices Publishing House.

The main speaker at the event will be Dr. John Churchville, who will speak about the process of creating the Freedom Library, how it evolved into a school and how it eventually gave birth to a powerful coalition of North Philadelphia community members called the Black People’s Unity Movement. Through poetry and artwork, Jubilee students will honor members of the BPUM who are no longer with us, and will pay tribute to them through a ceremony of  libations.

Other activities throughout the day will include story time for children, a time for playing Black history games and Afro-Brazilian drumming performed by Jubilee students. A highlight will be a performance by the jazz musician Alfie Pollit.