Fostering space for complex discussions

By Kyle Hobstetter on March 6, 2019

Created in 2016, the Towson Freedom School has a simple slogan: “Black Study, Black Struggle.” And while the slogan is just four words, the idea behind the Towson Freedom School is so much more complex. 

According to co-director David Cole Jr., a junior psychology major from Prince George’s County, the Towson Freedom School provides a space to talk about black issues, black history and black futures.

It’s also provides a space where students can have difficult discussions that aren’t widely discussed. 

“We’ve had discussions about LGBTQ issues, sexual health and safety, and talks about how Black trans lives matters,” Cole says. “We’re moving forward toward a time where we have more of these pockets where we have the conversations we want to have. 

“And while it’s still not as wide spread, we believe this the start of it on this campus.” 

A subgroup of the Black Student Union, the Towson Freedom School meets once a week at different locations throughout campus. 

Topics of discussion change each week, but for Cole each topic discussed is specifically chosen to help bring perspectives from different parts of the community together so they can learn from one another.

“We’re trying to bring awareness to the topics we want to talk about,” Cole says. “Even if we don’t cover everything about a topic, at least we’re opening the door for this conversation. We’re opening the door for people to gain this knowledge.”

When the Towson Freedom School started, Cole was just a freshman who saw a flyer promoting the organization’s first meeting. And while he thought it was interesting he wasn’t able to make it. 

When he went to the group’s second meeting, those in attendance were having a conversation that left Cole saying: “This is too smart for me, I’m not coming back.”

Now two years later, after being mentored by his predecessors with the Freedom School, Cole serves as a co-director.

“I have no idea how I’m a director now,” Cole laughs. “I’m thoroughly enjoying it..but it’s really challenging. We do everything ourselves. We create the meeting topics, we do the research, fund the articles, get the emails out, communicate with special guests or community organizations that want to join us. 

“It’s a lot for three people, but the payoff is always great. I feel we create this culture that allows people to just be themselves in a way they don’t often get.” 

He also credits his co-directors Shari Razaq and Albert Ivory for helping with the Freedom School’s vision. He considers Razaq as the group’s promotion powerhouse who works intently on getting people to their meetings, while Ivory is the one who will drop everything to help get things done.

When asked to describe their relationship, Cole simply put that it’s like they are siblings.

“You really have to depend on each other for getting things done,” Cole says. “I feel like every director you see, there is a passion. It makes you siblings because you have to be close if you want to do this together.”

The three worked together to celebrate Black History Month by throwing their inaugural Freedom Fest this past February.

The event featured about 500 attendees, and performances from several Towson University student organizations including, The Models of Distinction; Voices, TU’s Slam Poetry Team; and the TU Melodies acapella group. It also featured local hip-hop artist Kassim. 

After the three directors planned the event for nine months, to see their hard work come to fruition left Cole feeling empowered.

“Watching everyone dance and feeling the energy, I just thought to myself, ‘Damn this is beautiful,’” Cole laughs. “We went through so much… and to see this little idea that came into our brain and it end up being a huge event with over 500 people attending, it was inspiring.”

And while the Freedom School was started as a space for TU’s black students, Cole wants to assure that everybody on campus is welcome to the group’s meetings and events.

“I’m so happy to see people who are not just black students join us, and it happens pretty often,” Cole says. “We have topics that can apply to almost anyone, and it’s space where everyone can come and really learn something.”

To keep up to date with the Towson Freedom School, follow them on their Twitter and Instagram pages.

This story is part of a series of stories marking TU's Week of Black Excellence.

It is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: Diverse and Inclusive Campus.