“Without a struggle, there can be no progress.” – Frederick Douglass 

Participate in a birthday celebration for Frederick Douglass, who was one of the most prominent Black thinkers and anti-slavery advocates in American history. The celebration focuses on food, joy, and action, oriented around a transcribe-a-thon that brings together thousands of participants at more than 100 simultaneous events around the world.  

Coordinated by the Center for Black Digital Research at Penn State University, Douglass Day provides a unique opportunity to both learn about Black history and contribute to making the record of that history more accessible. Students, teachers, and community members will help to transcribe materials in collaboration with the Colored Conventions Project, which focuses on 19th Century Black Organizing in the US and Canada. The transcribe-a-thon will occur in the DSL Classroom and Flex Space, with portions of the program streamed live. 

In honor of the birthday of Frederick Douglass, lunch and a celebratory cake will be provided for all participants. A wide range of dietary needs will be taken into account in catering orders.

Drop in any time during the event. Registration is encouraged but not required, especially if you are an instructor planning to integrate this event into your class. Signing up for the event will allow us to communicate with you prior to the transcribe-a-thon.

This event is being co-sponsored by DH@MSU, the College of Law, the Kelley Institute for Ethics and the Legal Profession, and the MSU Libraries for Douglass Day and Love Data Week.