Past Events

The Great Abolitionist is the first major biography of Charles Sumner in over 50 years. Employing his “vast knowledge of 19th-century Boston and its diffident attitude toward slavery and integration,” Stephen Puleo calls his book a “biographical history” that brings to life two decades when the nation’s very fate hung in the balance -- when slavery consumed Congressional debate, America careened toward civil war, and the country dealt with the war, the assassination of a President, and the monumental task of Reconstruction. Before, during, and after the war, Charles Sumner’s voice rang strongest, bravest, and most unwavering, often at the cost of great personal sacrifice. He moved America toward the twin goals of abolitionism and equal rights for emancipated people, which he fought for literally until the day he died. From the award-winning author-historian we’ll gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable abolitionist and the time in which he lived.

New England Legal Foundation is excited to present the SCOTUS Crystal Ball. Each year at this point in May, many of the cases before The Supreme Court have been decided. There are few that remain, and those that do often have the most intricacies. Join us for a discussion about the details of the remaining cases, the arguments given and what a decision on either side of the case may mean.

Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale, Professor Akhil Amar moderates the discussion between constitutional law scholars.

Suffolk University's Ford Hall Forum and Moakley Archive & Institute, The Boston Desegregation and Busing Initiative, and GBH Forum Network, continue a series of programs examining the lasting impacts of the l974 landmark decision to desegregate Boston’s Public Schools. This panel discusses upward mobility in Boston, exploring the city’s historic institutional roadblocks that have hindered progress for people of color fifty years after busing. It explores solutions to address these persistent issues such as enhancing educational opportunities, closing the wealth gap, increasing home ownership, and broadening access to job opportunities.

The panelists are Ron Bell, longtime community activist and founder of Dunk the Vote, and alumnus of Boston Latin School; Karilyn Crockett, Ph.D., assistant professor, Urban History, Public Policy & Planning, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Tatiana M. F. Cruz, Ph.D., assistant professor and interdisciplinary program director of Africana Studies, Department of Critical Race, Gender and Cultural Studies, Simmons University. The program’s moderator is Kris Hooks, editor-in-chief of The Boston Globe’s newsroom team, Money, Power, Inequality: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap, which focuses on addressing the racial wealth gap in Greater Boston.

There is much interest today in the purpose of play. For humans, it is widely considered important for development, but for animals the role of play is less certain. In this fascinating description of the imaginative and varied play habits of many species of animals, David Toomey considers the purpose of this behavior, and he explains the major views on the subject.

The GBH BPL studio will host Outspoken Saturdays, a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists. Every first Saturday of the month, the series will be created in collaboration with spoken word artist Amanda Shea.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

GBH’s Under the Radar is hosting an interview with Callie Crossley and playwright Lydia R. Diamond ( The Bluest Eye, Stick Fly) at the Boston Public Library. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at this grand slam new play centering the first woman in history to play professional baseball on a men’s team in the Negro Leagues. There will be an opportunity to ask Playwright and Director Diamond questions towards the end of the segment. All are welcome! Theatre, baseball, and history fans are especially encouraged to attend!

Registration is encouraged for this free event.

In celebration of International Jazz Day, GBH Music and JazzBoston present Cuban pianist, composer and arranger Zahili Gonzalez Zamora.

China’s economic rise and its current policies of increasing the role of the state in the economy have led some U.S. policymakers to seek to deny China access to U.S. technology and investment. This is seen as a necessary corrective to decades of predatory Chinese economic policies. Is this a wise strategy, and how effective can it be?

Join WorldBoston for a timely discussion of this topic with Wendy Cutler, Vice President and Managing Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute, Washington D.C. office.

Embark on a leisurely stroll through nature’s aviary with past president of the Association of Field Ornithologists, Elissa Landre. Learn the secrets of chirps and tweets, as you travel through this wildlife sanctuary. You will discover a symphony of sights and sounds from our feathered friends. Unplug, unwind and let the wings guide you on this enchanting adventure.

We will explore field, forest and wetlands looking for resident nesters like Black-capped Chickadees (our state bird), migrants like Palm Warblers, and occasional visitors including the Bald Eagle. Wear good walking shoes, bring binoculars, cameras and your curiosity. Insect repellent recommended.

Location
Both bird walks will take place in Natick, MA. Parking is easy and abundant.

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature and climate change.

With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land; advocate for impactful environmental policies,; offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children; and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries.

About Your Guide Elissa Landre
Elissa is the former director at Broadmoor, past president of the Association of Field Ornithologists, and has led international tours for Mass Audubon for years. She especially enjoys introducing new people of all ages to the fun of birding and all are welcome to join Elissa in the field during the peak of bird migration.

This event is in partnership with Mass Audubon Society

Join GBH News’ daily show live at the library! GBH Executive Arts Editor Jared Bowen and a rotating panel of co-hosts and cultural correspondents provide an expansive look at society through art, culture and entertainment, driving conversations about how listeners experience culture across music, movies, fashion, TV, art, books, theater, dance, food and more.

This event is in partnership with Boston Design Week.

Registration is encouraged for this free event.