Dorchester Banner
submitted to dorchester banner/ courtesy Kenneth Morris Jr.
Kenneth Morris Jr.- descendant of Frederick Douglass
CAMBRIDGE — The Ninth Annual Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Conference will be held June 1 through June 2 at the Cambridge branch of Chesapeake College. This year’s theme is “Sharing the Stories; History is Ours to Tell” and promises to expand the bounds with the inclusion of Frederick Douglass’ contribution to the abolitionist effort. Kenneth B. Morris Jr., the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass will be the keynote speaker. 2018 is the bicentennial of Mr. Morris’ ancestor’s birth. Mr. Morris’ own life experiences will be shared and serve to inspire future community leaders and those with a passion for history. Workshops will be held by the area’s authorities on the underground railroad with a broad interpretation. Diane Miller, director of the National Park Service Network to Freedom will discuss Maryland’s unique underground railroad history, while Angela Crenshaw, assistant manager of the Harriet Tubman State Park will connect that to William Still, the Philadelphia operator that chronicled the movement of many Eastern Shore slaves escaping north. Other topics to be shared include slave hunting, slave cemeteries and Tony Cohen will speak about “Captive Audience: Experiences from Slavery’s Past.” More than a dozen workshops will be offered and networking opportunities will abound. The conference opens with the keynote, Mr. Morris, followed by several workshops. A dinner will be held at the Waugh Chapel and conclude Friday’s events. Saturday, following a light breakfast, Vincent Leggett will speak on “Harriet, Have You Heard?” Sessions run on Saturday until 3:30 p.m. Registration for the entire event is $125 or $50/day, excluding the dinner. To register, visit www.htugrr.com. Registration is also available at the Harriet Tubman Organization which is located at 424 Race St. in Cambridge. For more information, call 410-463-0694.