News and Events

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Frederick Douglass institute logo, next to Kutztown University with the wording "Celebrating Black Literature" in red, orange and green blocks.

Spring 2024

Celebrating Black Literature

Event 1: Feb. 8, 2024 - College of Education Beekey Lobby 11:15 am - 1:15 pm

Please join the College of Education in collaboration with the Frederick Douglass Institute's Black History Month Event, Celebrating Black Literature, on Thursday, February 8th, 2024, from 11:15 am to 1 pm in the Beekey lobby.  We will have our Critical Book Club meeting from 11 - 12 pm. Our special guest from Howard University, Dr. David Green (associate professor of English and Writing Center director and former teacher) will be here to co-facilitate the discussion and the celebration. 

Discover award-winning children's literature by and about African American people, including K-2 picture books, 3-5 leveled texts, middle and secondary young adult fiction, and higher education texts. Resources for using diverse texts effectively, implementing literature circles, and encouraging literacy engagement will be provided. This is a great opportunity to develop culturally relevant and sustaining knowledge as well as literacy-based skills for the K-Higher Education classroom. Light refreshments, cupcakes, and giveaways! 

Importantly, be sure to complete the "Read-Pic-Post" hands-on activity Bring a friend, read together, take a selfie with the book you chose, and tag @Ku_douglass_institute. Lastly, FDI has special tokens of appreciation and a certificate of service learning for any students interested in volunteering to help during that afternoon. Contact for more information on volunteering. 

Event #2: Feb. 20, 2024 - Celebrating Black Literature, Media, and the Arts 9 am - 11 am 

In collaboration with the Multicultural Center and the Ujima Conference, The Frederick Douglass Institute will celebrate Black literature and media, featuring texts, music, and film by and about Black people. Our focus is diverse college students' physical and mental wellness, self-help, advocacy, and political activism. We will also share about literature circles as models for community-based wellness among racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse groups. Starter kits, hands-on activities, and giveaways will be available. This is a rolling event with multiple stations. The campus community is welcome to drop by at any time during the window.

Student artists interested in contributing their work or students interested in volunteering can contact . 

Dr. Amber Pabon and Doninique Headen

Dr. Pabon meets with Dominique Headen (Class of 22') from Susquehanna High School.

Dr. Amber Pabon and Damian Earl

Dr. Pabon and Damain Earl (Class of 19')  from  Executive Charter School.

FDI Kicks Off The Teaching Lab

The Fredrick Douglas Institution just launched its first of many projects. The Teaching Lab is a digital resource of culturally relevant and sustaining teaching practices by BIPOC educators in PA. FDI director Dr. Amber Pabon and her team will be collaborating with KU alum and faculty across the State System to document culturally-aligned pedagogies and curricula to support our increasingly diverse K-Higher Ed student body population.  Stay updated on this research study by following our Instagram

Poster for Black and Brown Women's Writing Coalition. Reads "Join Dr. Amber Pabon for a virtual writing workshop Sundays 8 a.m.-10 a.m. / co-a-li-tion noun, an alliance for combined action, especially a temporary alliance of political parties forming a government or of states." Graphic includes illustration of African American with flowing black hair that forms the background for the above text.

FDI Announces: The Black and Brown Women's Writing Coalition 

The Fredrick Douglass Institute Black and Brown Women's Writing Coalition, a virtual workspace to foster BIPOC women's personal and professional writing and research goals. The Black and Brown Women's Writing Coalition meets Sundays from 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. via zoom. Email  for more information and to join. 

Illustration in a painting format of Frederick Douglass

Spring 2023: The Education as Freedom Project

The Fredrick Douglass Institute is looking for eager students to participate in the Education as Freedom Project. FDI will be partnering with urban schools in the surrounding  school districts to provide support in reading and math. The Education as Freedom Project is a great opportunity for students seeking volunteer or fieldwork hours, as well as research experience. No education background and all majors (even undeclared), as well as graduate and undergrad students are welcome to participate. Training will be provided. For more information, email .