Photography by Essentially Erica
“I AM BECAUSE WE ARE — UBUNTU”
Pastor Ted Freeman, Jr.
Author, God's Free-Man: An American Tale of Perseverance: A Life in Service
God’s Free-Man is a historical presentation guided by God that delineates the capture of Harry and Kate Freeman, who were the co-founders of the city of Auburn, New York. Taken and made slaves from Guinea, Africa, they were freed by the Mansfield Decree in England and came to the colonies as indentured servants, fought in the Revolutionary War, and created one of the most important stations and terminals during the Underground Railroad Movement. Further in, Freeman delves into how their sons played pivotal roles in one of the most tumultuous times in American history. From the pain and agony of their grandson’s murder spree that introduced the plea of insanity to America’s jurisprudence to the excitement of a grandson who worked closely with Secretary of State William Seward and Harriet Tubman, the story of the Freemans brings to light a segment of American history waiting to be heard.
Meet the descendant of Harry and Kate Freeman, co-founders of Auburn, New York, and the creators of a foundational piece of the Underground Railroad called the New Guinea Negro Settlement.
Ted Freeman is an honored alumni of Villanova University and received one of their highest awards available to alumni in 1984, the Medallion of Excellence, the second African American to receive the award. The first being Chief Justice Robert Nix of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He began his career working with street gangs in west Philadelphia at the Haverford Community Center, 39th and Wallace. He was then led to return to Auburn, New York, as the director of the Booker T. Washington Community Center in his old neighborhood. Freeman has been involved with the National Urban League Movement for the past forty-six years. Starting in Rochester, NY, he became the president and CEO of the Urban League of Hudson County in Jersey City, New Jersey. After retirement, he relocated to Orlando, Florida, and became a board member of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League.
For Freeman, family is his everything. He is a husband, married to his pillar of strength, Rhonda L. Freeman, a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. He has one other previously published book, Acquiring Wisdom.
FREEMAN’S HOMECOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, September 14
6 P.M.
Booker T. Washington Community Center
23 Chapman Avenue, Auburn, NY 13021
Planting and Nurturing Love: Meet and Greet
Thursday, September 15
10 A.M.
City of Auburn Memorial City Hall
24 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Completing the Puzzle: Key to the City of Auburn Ceremony
Thursday, September 15
3:30 P.M.
Harriet Tubman Home
180 South Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Honoring Auntie Harriet, a Woman of Courage: Discussion
Saturday, September 17
1 P.M.
Auburn Public Theater
8 Exchange Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Supporting Each Other Through Love: Book Talk
Sunday, September 18
11 A.M.
Octane Social House
41 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY 13021
Book Reading, Signing, and Sale
All events are free and open to the public.
*Author Ted Freeman will be available to sign copies of his book God’s Free-Man at each event.
Support for this program is provided by the City of Auburn’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation of funds to support the City of Auburn Historic and Cultural Sites Commission’s Harriet Tubman Bicentennial project with a goal of boosting the recovery from the pandemic for the tourism, travel, and hospitality industry.