THIS IS THE MOMENT...
...WE EMBRACE WHAT’S POSSIBLE.
LOVE. EQUITY. JUSTICE.
AND A CITY WHERE WE ALL BELONG.
The Story began in Boston.
The Embrace digital experience is a self-guided app offering storytelling, first-hand accounts and historical photos and images to visitors.
AN “EYES-UP” EXPERIENCE
This digital experience allows visitors to explore the monument, and the 1965 Freedom Plaza beneath it at their own pace, while learning more about Boston’s civil rights legacy and the incredible contribution of the Kings. The Embrace and the 1965 Freedom Plaza are reminders of the Kings’ high ideals born from struggle—to foster a “beloved community.”
FEEL THE HISTORY & IMAGINE THE FUTURE
We welcome you to hear stories of local civil rights struggles while the Kings made Boston their home; be introduced to civil rights and social justice leaders active in Greater Boston from 1950 –1975; listen to reflections from the artist, Hank Willis Thomas; as well as behind-the-scenes insights on how the incredible sculpture was created.
THEY DID
THE WORK
The 1965 Freedom Plaza honors the Kings as well as 65 local civil rights leaders active between 1950-1970. They remind us that the fight is worth the struggle.
EMBRACE WHAT’S POSSIBLE
THE WRAP
With The Embrace memorial under construction, we saw an opportunity to endorse and uplift Boston-based BIPOC photographers and digital artists to share their voice -- through their art.
Six artists responded to the creative prompt “Embracing Boston’s 20+ Neighborhoods.”
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Harry Scales
Malakhai Pearson
Rixy Fernandez
Tran Vu
Yotron The Don
Zahirah Nur Truth
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge that Boston is situated on the traditional homelands of the Massachusett People. We also acknowledge their relatives and neighbors, the Nipmuc and Wampanoag Peoples.
We recognize the historical legacy of colonialism and racism by honoring and paying respect to the land. We do it to raise greater public consciousness of First Nation sovereignty and cultural rights as a small step toward equitable relationships and reconciliation.
It also raises questions of what it means to live in a new Boston. What did it take for us to get here? And how can we be accountable to our part in history?