FREEDOM SUMMER 60TH ANNIVERSARY
CPM Global presents "Sounds of Change: Freedom Summer 60th Anniversary Docuseries" a compelling and timely tribute to one of the most defining moments in the Civil Rights Movement. Freedom Summer 1964 was not just a fight for voting rights—it was a coalition of conscience. Young people from different races, religions, and regions came together with a shared vision of justice and equality, challenging the brutal Jim Crow laws and risking everything to build a better future. The tragic murders of James Chaney, a young Black man from Mississippi, and Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, two young white Jewish men from New York, underscored the perilous road they traveled and the profound solidarity that helped drive the movement forward. "Sounds of Change" captures the spirit of this extraordinary coalition and explores the enduring impact of their collective courage.
Freedom Summer activists sing before leaving training sessions at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, for Mississippi in June 1964.
Ted Polumbaum Collection/Newseum
WATCH PART 1 & 2 NOW
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMON ERA, DOSOMETHING & FEMINIST
FREEDOM SUMMER VETERANS
Freedom Summer didn't begin nor end in 1964, many of the veterans listed organized across various states and years ranging mainly from 1963-1965.
Freedom School Student & Mississippi Organizer
Freedom Summer Veteran
Civic Interest Group Organizer (SNCC)
SNCC Organizer
Freedom Summer Veteran
Freedom Singer & "Voice" of Selma
Freedom Summer Veteran
Freedom Summer Veteran
Freedom Summer Veteran (CORE)
Freedom Summer Veteran
DOSOMETHING X CPM GLOBAL
We partnered with DoSomething to have one of their youth leaders, Kaleb Jevon Sy interview Freedom Summer Veterans to talk about coalition building and solidarity. Here is what they had to say:
KALEB JEVON SY
DOSOMETHING YOUTH LEADER
Kaleb Sy is a passionate and driven student leader from Memphis, Tennessee, and a proud honor graduate of East High School. Committed to servant leadership, he believes in making a difference through intentional and impactful actions. Since a young age, Kaleb has sought proactive solutions to create lasting change, holding various leadership roles and contributing to meaningful projects. His experiences include collaborating on education policy with The Education Trust Tennessee, interning for NYC Councilman Shaun Abreu, and serving on civic boards to bring authentic youth perspectives to policy discussions. Kaleb has also shared his insights on local and national platforms, including The Kelly Clarkson Show. Now pursuing a B.A. in Economics-Political Science at Columbia University, he is actively involved in the Columbia Policy Institute, Black Pre-Law Society, and Columbia Financial Investment Group, with published work in the Columbia Black Pre-Law Journal and the Daily Memphian.
FREEDOM SUMMER ARCHIVES
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Provided by Neil Reichline, Photos taken by a Freedom Summer Veteran during the 1966 Meredith March in Mississippi, capturing key moments in the Civil Rights Movement.
Pictured is Freedom Summer survivor Don Denard with friends in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, during a protest march honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1968 shortly after his assassination on April 4. *Photo courtesy of Don Denard
Pictured is Freedom Summer survivor Don Denard with friends in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, during a protest march honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in April 1968 shortly after his assassination on April 4. *Photo courtesy of Don Denard
Mimi teaching a prospective voter registration applicant how to navigate the intentionally complex voter registration forms used in Louisiana. *Credit: Bob Adelman, with archival support from Mimi Real.
Mug shot from the Freedom Rides of 1961 *Credit: Bob Adelman, with archival support from Mimi Real.
Mimi Real is depicted in moments that highlight her dedication to civil rights and voter registration. One poignant photograph captures her surrounded by local farmers from West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, as they join together in song, lifting their voices in unity at the conclusion of a voter registration clinic. *Credit: Bob Adelman with archival support from Mimi Real.
Personal letter written by Vivian Rothstein to her mother during this time, offering a firsthand perspective on the courage and solidarity driving the movement.
Christopher Williams pictured with James Farmer, (Civil Rights leader and co-founder of C.O.R.E) at the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award Ceremony
Christopher Williams pictured with James Farmer, (Civil Rights leader and co-founder of C.O.R.E)
Photo of Chude Allen during her time teaching young women at a Freedom School in Holly Springs, Mississippi, during the summer of 1964. Credit: Michael Clurman.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities. *Richmond Times-Dispatch
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photos and newspaper articles credited and provided by Lanny Kaufer from his time with the 1965 SCOPE Project in Sussex County, Virginia. These archives document grassroots voter registration efforts and community organizing inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials capture pivotal moments in the struggle for civil rights, highlighting the determination and resilience of local communities.
Photo provided by Jim Kates, who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project after his freshman year at Wesleyan University. Aswell as photos, During his time in the summer of 1964, Where he helped implement a court order encouraging voter registration in Panola County.
Photo provided by Jim Kates, who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project after his freshman year at Wesleyan University. As well as photos, during his time in the summer of 1964, where he helped implement a court order encouraging voter registration in Panola County.
Photo provided by Jim Kates, who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project after his freshman year at Wesleyan University. As well as photos, during his time in the summer of 1964, where he helped implement a court order encouraging voter registration in Panola County.
Photo provided by Jim Kates, who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project after his freshman year at Wesleyan University. As well as photos, during his time in the summer of 1964, where he helped implement a court order encouraging voter registration in Panola County.
Photo provided by Jim Kates, who volunteered for the Mississippi Summer Project after his freshman year at Wesleyan University. As well as photos, during his time in the summer of 1964, where he helped implement a court order encouraging voter registration in Panola County.