W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy awarded $1.1 million grant

Great Barrington — Through a press release, the W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy announced that it has been awarded a $1.1 million grant by the New York City Based Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. 

According to the Center, the three-year Humanities in Place grant will support the completion of the phase of the restoration work on the Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church building, including structural and architectural work.

Last year, the historic Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church was redesignated as the center with the intent of paying homage to Great Barrington native Du Bois and celebrating the heritage of Berkshire County’s Black communities.

The church, located at 9 Elm Court, was built in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to the press release by the organization, the grant will also help support exhibition design plans, along with the launch of a national search for a permanent executive director, and the funding of the newly created role of Du Bois Forum director. 

The Center’s forum is held in partnership with the African American Trail Project at Tufts University, and the Center held its inaugural forum retreat last summer for scholars, writers, and artists. 

Dr. Kendra Field, who is currently serving as the Center’s historian-in-residence, will be filling the position of Forum director.