Douglass Day 2026 – Viewing Guide
Broadcast Video
Douglass Day 2026 – Full Program
Douglass Day 2026 marked the 10th anniversary celebration with over 8,000 participants across 187 locations worldwide. This three-hour program includes the opening ceremony, transcription tutorials, a dramatic reading of Frederick Douglass, and featured speakers on the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship.
Use the timestamps below to navigate directly to any segment on the livestream broadcast video.
Opening Ceremony
00:00:02 – Welcome to Douglass Day
00:01:21 – Opening Blessing by Rev. Elbert Sherrod
00:03:46 – Lift Every Voice and Sing by Dr. Clayton Coleman
00:09:23 – Introducing the Douglass Day Team
00:12:07 – A Brief History of Douglass Day by Dr. Courtney Murray Ross
00:16:26 – Douglass Day Theme: All Rights for All – Dr. Gabrielle Foreman
How to Transcribe
Also available on DouglassDay.org/transcribe-2026 or as a one-page handout.
00:20:35 – Introduction to Transcribing – Jim Casey
00:21:33 – Step 1: Create a Zooniverse Account
00:22:28 – Step 2: Getting Started with Transcription
00:25:40 – Step 3: Find the Names Activity
Intermission and time for the Spotify DD mixtape
“Why Hold a Colored Convention?”
00:56:49 – Welcome Back & Technical Update
00:59:48 – Singing Happy Birthday – Eden Mekonen
01:02:40 – Introducing Hassan El-Amin – Denise Burgher
01:03:08 – Why Hold a Colored Convention? Dramatic Reading – Hassan El-Amin
01:24:03 – Closing Remarks & Final Intermission
* alternative: watch the original: Frederick Douglass, “Why Hold a Colored Convention?”
Intermission and time for the Spotify DD mixtape
Special Speakers
02:03:10 – Welcome Back & Progress Report
02:05:02 – Welcome Remarks from UCSB
02:19:15 – On the Conventions & 14th Amendment – Dr. Gabrielle Foreman
02:25:47 – Curriculum Overview – Denise Burgher
02:29:49 – 14th Amendment & Colored Conventions – Sherrilyn Ifill
02:33:29 – Birthright Citizenship & Today’s Challenges – Ronald Claude
02:38:18 – History of Colored Conventions – Dr. Andre Johnson
02:43:41 – Quilt Showcase & Final Intermission
Intermission and time for the Spotify DD mixtape
Closing Ceremony
02:52:56 – Welcome Back & Final Progress Report
02:54:19 – In Memoriam – Denise Burgher
02:56:21 – Cake Contest Prize Winners – Gabrielle Sutherland
02:57:17 – Thank Yous & Acknowledgements
03:03:10 – Teaser for Douglass Day 2027 – Jim Casey
Suggested Playlists
Playlist for 45-Minute Class
This playlist includes all the key segments, plus time for hands-on transcription work.
Opening
00:00:02 – Welcome to Douglass Day
00:03:46 – Lift Every Voice and Sing by Dr. Clayton Coleman
00:12:07 – A Brief History of Douglass Day by Dr. Courtney Murray Ross
00:16:26 – Douglass Day Theme: All Rights for All – Dr. Gabrielle Foreman
Activity: Transcribing (15-20 minutes)
Optional: 00:20:35 – Introduction to Transcribing – Jim Casey
01:03:08 – Why Hold a Colored Convention? Dramatic Reading – Hassan El-Amin
02:29:49 – 14th Amendment & Colored Conventions – Sherrilyn Ifill
02:33:29 – Birthright Citizenship & Today’s Challenges – Ronald Claude
Playlist for 3-Hour Event
Run the complete program with intermissions for time to transcribe, eat cake, and share conversation.
Opening Ceremony
00:00:02 – Welcome to Douglass Day
00:01:21 – Opening Blessing by Rev. Elbert Sherrod
00:03:46 – Lift Every Voice and Sing by Dr. Clayton Coleman
00:09:23 – Introducing the Douglass Day Team
00:12:07 – A Brief History of Douglass Day by Dr. Courtney Murray Ross
00:16:26 – Douglass Day Theme: All Rights for All – Dr. Gabrielle Foreman
How to Transcribe
00:20:35 – Introduction to Transcribing – Jim Casey
00:21:33 – Step 1: Create a Zooniverse Account
00:22:28 – Step 2: Getting Started with Transcription
00:25:40 – Step 3: Find the Names Activity
Intermission
00:40:46 – Intermission: Activity Time / Transcribing
“Why Hold a Colored Convention?”
00:56:49 – Welcome Back & Technical Update
00:59:48 – Singing Happy Birthday – Eden Mekonen
01:02:40 – Introducing Hassan El-Amin – Denise Burgher
01:03:08 – Why Hold a Colored Convention? Dramatic Reading – Hassan El-Amin
01:24:03 – Closing Remarks & Final Intermission
Intermission
01:35:06 – Intermission: Activity Time / Transcribing
Special Speakers: Colored Conventions & the 14th Amendment
02:03:10 – Welcome Back & Progress Report
02:05:02 – Welcome Remarks from UCSB
02:19:15 – On the Conventions & 14th Amendment – Dr. Gabrielle Foreman
02:25:47 – Curriculum Overview – Denise Burgher
02:28:02 – Introducing Speakers – Denise Burgher
02:29:49 – 14th Amendment & Colored Conventions – Sherrilyn Ifill
02:33:29 – Birthright Citizenship & Today’s Challenges – Ronald Claude
02:38:18 – History of Colored Conventions – Dr. Andre Johnson
02:43:41 – Quilt Showcase & Final Intermission
Intermission
02:45:57 – Intermission: Activity Time / Transcribing
Closing Ceremony
02:52:56 – Welcome Back & Final Progress Report
02:54:19 – In Memoriam – Denise Burgher
02:56:21 – Cake Contest Prize Winners – Gabrielle Sutherland
02:57:17 – Thank Yous & Acknowledgements
03:03:10 – Teaser for Douglass Day 2027 – Jim Casey