The Bridge of Freedom: Reclaiming the Untold Stories of Black Liberation

When you hear the word “freedom,” what is the first image that comes to mind? Is it a document signed in 1776, or is it the quiet resilience of an elder who remembers the fight firsthand?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, FunTimes Magazine, in collaboration with Lincoln University, is launching the Bridge of Freedom Oral History Initiative. Our mission is urgent: to document the untold stories of African and Caribbean co-leadership in the U.S. Civil Rights movement before they are lost to time.

We invite you to a Fireside Conversation on February 19th, at Mother Bethel AME Church, a Historic site that stands as a living symbol of Black resilience. We will move beyond the textbooks to discuss the “lived reality” of freedom, the weight of generational trauma, and the power of the untold story.

The voices leading the charge moderated by journalist Mikhael Simmonds, bring together three distinct perspectives on liberty:

Dr. Tiffany Pennamon (Lincoln University) will explore the global connections of Black history, including the legacy of the Azikiwe-Nkrumah Hall. Named after Nnamdi Azikiwe (Nigeria) and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), both Lincoln alumni who became presidents. This legacy reminds us that the fight for civil rights in America and independence in Africa were deeply intertwined.
Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness (Pastor, Mother Bethel AME) will discuss the intersection of faith and freedom, exploring how spiritual spaces have historically served as vessels for liberation and healing.
David W. Brown (Temple University) will challenge us to consider our institutional duty, asking what schools and governments must do differently to honor the full narrative of Black liberation.

Why This Matters Now

We are racing against time. The elders whose lived experiences connect the African independence movements of the 1960s with the U.S. Civil Rights era are aging. Their memories are the “missing link” in our understanding of American history.

Join us, be part of the movement to ensure these stories are not just collected, but respected and protected.