June 18th- July 2nd, 2026 The 2026 Roxbury International Film Festival opened with a befitting tribute to the World Cup being held in Massachusetts with the documentary The Clyde Best Story, about the first Black soccer player from Bermuda. Clyde Best became world-renowned despite the racism and abuse he endured. He remained quiet and respectful, leaving a lasting legacy for Black football/soccer players worldwide. This was just the beginning of more than 150 films presented during the...

June 14, 2026 On June 14, 2026, the voice of soprano Kearstin Piper Brown, followed by the readings of Lenelle Moïse, brought the life of Elizabeth Freeman from slavery to freedom vividly to the stage. Freeman took her case to court, won her freedom, and changed her name from Mumbet to Elizabeth Freeman. Each vocal selection was more powerful than the last. As Freeman came from slavery into freedom, she learned what her enslaved name, Mumbet, meant. It was French for “animal.” Yet she became...

May 16, 2026 On May 16, 2026, Ashleigh Gordon, co-founder of Castles of Our Skins, announced that she would be stepping down as Artistic Director to begin a new chapter and find her next path. She spoke lovingly about the beginnings of Castles of Our Skins with Anthony Greene, composer and pianist, when they were college students, and how their shared vision became the foundation for what Castles of Our Skins is today. The journey began in 2013 with many projects—yes, many projects! Since...