Episode #5: Interview with Noelle Lorraine Williams on Frederick Douglass’ 1849 Speech at Rutgers University-Newark

Queer Newark Oral History Project

One hundred and seventy years ago, famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass gave a speech at the Plane Street Colored Church, once located at the site of what is now the athletic field at Rutgers University-Newark. In this episode, Kristyn talks to grad student Noelle Lorraine Williams about her work researching this recently revealed historic event. What was the significance of Douglass’ visit? Who was in the audience that day and why? Williams provides the answers to these questions and gives us insight into her own work as an artist, activist, and scholar.

Join the Rutgers-Newark community for a major event that will bring together city and university leaders along with the great-great-great grandson of Douglass and more than 200 descendants of Greater Newark’s abolitionists to commemorate the life and legacy of Douglass on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 2:30pm to 5:00pm at the newly renamed Frederick Douglass Athletic Field at Rutgers-Newark. The event is free and open to the public.