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Forum Network

Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

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All Series

  • Talks that are about physics, biology, astronomy, geology and more.
  • Talks about the Garisson decision of the Supreme Court that ordered desegregation in Boston and the busing crisis that followed, studying what happened and its legacy.
  • In virtually every corner of the Boston metro region, an issue that comes up frequently is how people face down institutional racism. This collection of talks draws together a diverse group of leaders and thinkers tackling distinct problems that grow out of persisting racist views.A subset of the talks come from one day where Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh pledged to tackle racial prejudice in his city. On November 19, 2016, he acknowledged to a full house in Boston’s Cutler Majestic Theater that the city has an issue with racism. Walsh and others addressed the mistakes of the past and set goals to build a more socially cohesive and resilient city.Boston was listed as one of 100 Resilient Cities by the Rockefeller Foundation for its application to root out institutional racism as part of a crisis response plan for the city.
  • At Ask the Expert, get access to experts specializing in a wide variety of topics, learn something new about a subject you are passionate about or discover a new interest. GBH invites you to drive the conversation by asking questions during the live event directly with our expert.
  • At Beyond the Page, we believe in the power of knowledge, the magic of stories and the beauty of shared experiences. This event series features interactive sessions with renowned authors discussing their latest work and their writing process. Whether you're seeking profound discussions or heartfelt emotions, these events offer something truly special for everyone.
  • This 3-part series From Puritans to Catholics: Religion in Boston’s North End examines how shifts in religious traditions impacted cultural expression, demographics, political affiliations and economic status in the North End.Presented by the Paul Revere House in partnership with GBH, Suffolk University, Old North Illuminated and the North End Historical Society with funding from the Lowell Institute.
  • Talks curated around the ideas, celebrities, and media permeating our everyday lives.
  • Lectures examining the Civil Rights Movement from Brown v. Board of Education to the civil and human rights initiatives today. The American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) refers to reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing public and private acts of racial discrimination against African Americans. By 1966, the emergence of the Black Power Movement, which lasted roughly from 1966 to 1975, enlarged and gradually eclipsed the aims of the Civil Rights Movement to include racial dignity, economic and political self-sufficiency, and freedom from white authority. Several scholars refer to the Civil Rights Movement as the Second Reconstruction, a name that alludes to the Reconstruction after the Civil War. Timeline: Brown v. Board of Education, 1954 Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955-1956 Mass Action Replaces Litigation, 1955-1965 Tallahassee, Florida Boycott, 1956-1957 Desegregating Little Rock, 1957 The Kennedy Administration, 1960-63 Freedom Riders, 1961 Council of Federated Organizations, 1962 The Albany Movement, 1961-1967 The March on Washington, 1963 The Birmingham Campaign, 1963-1964 Race Riots, 1963-1970 The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, 1964 Martin Luther King, Jr. awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 1964 Selma and the Voting Rights Act, 1965 Black Power, 1966 Memphis and the Poor People’s March, 1968 Gates v. Collier Prison Reform Case, 1970-1971
  • BostonTalks is throwing the formal panel discussion out the window. Each event combines short speaking programs, drinks, and a chance for you to join the conversation. Be part of the #BostonTalks happy hour by tweeting with us!Connect with local experts in a variety of fields while enjoying the great company of your neighbors from Boston and beyond.Edgar B. Herwick III is the guy behind WGBH’s Curiosity Desk, where the quest is to dig a little deeper into (and sometimes look a little askew at) topics in the news, and search for answers to questions posed by the world around us. His features can be seen on WGBH’s Greater Boston and heard on 89.7 WGBH’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He also appears regularly with Jim Braude and Margery Eagan on Boston Public Radio. Follow him on Twitter @ebherwick3.
  • Black artists have paved the way for millions of people to be heard. With their art they share unique experiences that represent the struggles and triumphs African Americans have faced throughout 400 years of history in the United States. Doing so through music, paintings, books, poetry. They dive deep into the experiences lived by Black people.In this series, learn from several artists what it’s like to create art and where their inspiration comes from, what leads them to come up with ways to showcase what want to express. It is vital for everyone to know their history to understand the kinds of contributions they have made to society.More about black excellence and how the arts give them the power to speak the truth.