In honor of Black History 2024, UNC-Chapel Hill Digital and Lifelong Learning presents:

The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC’s Black Veterans

THIS EVENT HAS ENDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE.

“The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC’s Black Veterans” is a one-man presentation & performance elevating Black freedom fighters and veterans with North Carolina connections – known & unknown, on and off the traditional battlefield – who have engaged in over 400 years of a struggle for freedom, liberty, and equality. Their sacrifices, resistance, and resilience have contributed to American democracy, even as they were denied the full rights of citizens. Through listening to their stories in this production, we can gain a deeper understanding of our nation’s founding ideals, and harness the hope to continue the work, together, of making those ideals a reality for all.

The play combines storytelling, theater, and Kelly’s personal narrative in bringing to life the untold stories of Black freedom fighters and veterans, with a North Carolina focus.  Kelly will portray multiple characters throughout the play.  The performance is enhanced with multi-media – sound, video clips, images, etc., and will offer participants an immersive and impactful experience!

The show was written and is performed by Dr. Sonny Kelly, founder of Legacy Heirs Productions. The play’s development was commissioned & funded by the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources’ America 250 initiative & produced by Carolina K-12 at Carolina Public Humanities, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Honoring Black History:

Each year, Digital and Lifelong Learning offers a community event in honor of Black History Month, hosted at the Friday Conference Center.

Previous events have included:
2024 – The Ongoing Fight for Freedom: Stories of NC’s Black Veterans by Sonny Kelly
2023 – Voices for Justice: Dar He – The Lynching of Emmett Till by Mike Wiley
2022 – Voices for Truth: Blood Done Sign My Name by Mike Wiley
2021 – Voices for Justice: Dar He – The Lynching of Emmett Till by Mike Wiley (Virtual Performance)
2020 – Voices for Equality: Breach of Peace – 1961 Freedom Fighters Movement by Mike Wiley
2019 – Voices for Change: The Fire of Freedom by Mike Wiley
2018 – Voices of Freedom: Music and the Civil Rights Movement by Mary D. Williams