RJR Programs – Racial Justice Rising

Free Programs

Our programs support our mission: contributing to a deeper understanding of systemic racism and racial justice, and engaging in restorative activities that help to heal the racial divide.

The educational activities that we create or co-create are called “programs.” “Events” on this site are other types of activities initiated by us or partners in the community. “Actions” on this site are calls for action for usually time sensitive issues. These programs started in 2013. Many are recorded and available on our YouTube channel.

Before the pandemic in 2020, all RJR programs were in-person, often at the First Congregational Church in Greenfield, MA. Since then, our programs have been mostly virtual gatherings.

Most Recent Programs

Our free program series is supported in part by grants from Amherst, Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont-Hawley, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency with chapters in most towns.

Latest Program

Celebrating Community in the Spirit of Kwanzaa

Posted on December 5, 2025

Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 at 2-5pmSecond Congregational Church, 16 Court Square Greenfield, MA with Dr. Amilcar Shabazz, Gloria Matlock & Twice As Smart Singers Creating Community in Difficult Times: Using the principles of Kwanzaa to Build & Celebrate Yesterday & Today’s Community Champions Join us for an IN PERSON program with presentations, music and a… Read More »RJR Programs

Free Talk about 20 Abolitionists you were never taught in school. Two authors pictured

In Defiance: 20 Abolitionists You Were Never Taught in School

Wed. April 16, 2025 at 6:00 – 7:30 PMGreenfield Public Library with Tom Weiner and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz Join us for a talk and light refreshments with the authors of the book, In Defiance. (Library closes at 8pm.) The book, In Defiance: 20 Abolitionists You Were Never Taught In School brings to light the often-suppressed… Read More »RJR Programs

Living & Celebrating the Nguzo Saba - Kwanzaa's 7 Principles with Dr. Amilcar Shabazz & Twice as Smart Students

Living & Celebrating the Nguzo Saba – Kwanzaa’s Seven Principles

Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 3 – 6pm First United Methodist Church 25 Church St. Greenfield, MA 01301 with Dr. Amilcar Shabazz &Twice As Smart Students Join us for learning, singing and a Kwanzaa dinner (food is first come first serve) For more information & to register, email: guacomolly54@gmail.com Kwanzaa was started in 1966 by… Read More »RJR Programs

What is Kwanzaa

December 10, 2023; First United Methodist Church, Greenfield, MA; Kwanzaa celebration with singing and a meal

Just Another Mile

Saturday, February 18, 2023 – 2 PM All Souls UU Church of Greenfield, 399 Church Street, Greenfield MA This documentary film by Gloria Matlock about two historically Black neighborhoods in the small city of Ravenna, Ohio, offers a lens on race in 20th and 21st century America. Program is free — donations are welcome!

Where Is The Kindness? Homelessness, Migration, and Immigration

Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 2 p.m. IN PERSON PROGRAM at First United Methodist Church25 Church Street, Greenfield MA Presented by Racial Justice Rising & Twice As Smart ~ Masks optional ~ Join students and staff of Twice As Smart as they explore immigration, migration, and homelessness — topics filled with adversity for many —… Read More »RJR Programs

Conversations About Racism, with Jeanne Hall, Dick Hall, and Gloria Matlock

Wednesday, June 8 & 15, 2022 at 6:00 pm. Outdoors, under the tent at Carnegie Public Library201 Avenue A, Turners Falls (Great Falls), MA Racial Justice Rising and the Wheeler Memorial Library co-hosted this 2-part program focusing on the experiences of three local Black people. Jeanne Hall, Gloria Matlock, and Dick Hall generously shared what… Read More »RJR Programs

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