The John Brown Project Wins CT Humanities Grant for "Singing a Journey of Freedom"

Event in Torrington on June 22 will use songs of enslaved people as primary historical sources

TORRINGTON, CT—The John Brown Project Inc. has been awarded a Quick Grant of $4554 from Connecticut Humanities in support of Singing a Journey of Freedom: Songs of Slavery and Emancipation, a public humanities program taking place at Trinity Episcopal Church in Torrington on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

The program treats historically recovered songs written and sung by enslaved people as primary-source evidence for understanding freedom, resistance, and the meaning of American democracy. It combines live choral performance with scholarly historical interpretation and a facilitated audience discussion. Leading the program are Dr. Kathy Bullock, music historian, choral conductor, and Professor Emerita of Music at Berea College, and Mat Callahan, the historian, author, and researcher whose archival work recovered the Songs of Slavery and Emancipation collection. 

"These songs are evidence," said Daniel Morrison, Executive Director of The John Brown Project. "They show enslaved people thinking, writing, and arguing about liberty at the very moment liberty was denied to them. Bringing this music to Torrington, in the year of America's 250th anniversary, lets Connecticut audiences hear that history in its own voice and consider what it still asks of us today."

The June 22 program is presented in partnership with Our Culture Is Beautiful, the Torrington Historical Society, and Trinity Episcopal Church. Admission is by suggested donation: $20, or $10 with a nonperishable food item for a local food bank. Anyone unable to afford the donation is welcome to attend at no cost. Registration link: bit.ly/jbp-choir

The event will be professionally recorded, and the video documentation will be made freely available through The John Brown Project's website, YouTube channel, and social platforms, so that the program's scholarship and content remain accessible to Connecticut audiences after the live event concludes.

Media Contact: Daniel Morrison, Executive Director The John Brown Project Inc. dan@johnbrownproject.org 860-605-6951