North Carolina Freedom Monument
The North Carolina Freedom Monument project is an initiative that is near and dear to my heart. It has provided an avenue for putting research into practice in the community in which I live and work. I was invited to present my research on civil rights-related museums and memorials to the initial NCFMP planning meeting in 2002 as well as to several town meetings across the state. Currently, I serve on the project’s advisory board, assisting in the development of fundraising goals and related policy setting. I also serve as a member of the Artist Liaison Committee, assisting in the development of the contract for the Design Schematic Phase and the evaluation of the artist team’s work, and providing input on the final deliverables. I’ve also acted as a member of the Artist Selection Jury and the Site Selection Committee for the project.
Description of project:
The vision for the project began in 2002, at the urging of the Paul Green Foundation, when fifty community leaders from across the state gathered for a day-long meeting to determine how to best involve the people of North Carolina in the North Carolina Freedom Monument Project. Over the coming months, Town Meetings were held from the mountains to the coast to “hear the voices of the people.”
While developing a draft of ideas about the meaning of freedom to North Carolina citizens, the Freedom Monument Project received a grant to develop a curriculum on the ups and downs in the pursuit of freedom as might be expressed in a monument for use in North Carolina schools. This age-adaptable curriculum was created in conjunction with the Department of Public Instruction and is available to all educators. It will be particularly useful to teachers who are anticipating a visit to Raleigh and the Freedom Monument.
Urban Communication Foundation
Description of organization:
The Urban Communication Foundation promotes research that enhances our understanding of communication patterns in the urban environment and encourages collaboration between communication scholars, urban planners and policy makers. We support diverse research strategies, recognize noteworthy scholarship in this area and invite participation from all scholars and practitioners studying the various forms of urban communication.
