Calling all local and community history lovers! Are you looking for a creative and engaging way of sharing your favorite stories of local activism and changemaking? You’re in luck: The Boston Public Library is holding a History Slam on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The theme: Community Activism. We are now accepting submissions. Please read on to learn more!
What is a History Slam?
A History Slam is a fun, dynamic, and creative way to share and present a facet of history to an audience. During this event, 5-6 people will each present a short presentation on an event, person, history, or story about community activism to a captivated audience. There are two ways to participate in this History Slam: 1) as a presenter and 2) as an audience member.
The Theme
We want to hear stories of neighborhood action, community changemakers, and civic engagement. This is your chance to share the histories of local activists working for change in and around Boston. Examples include but aren’t limited to:
- People Before Highways movement
- Mel King and the Tent City protests
- Chinatown’s activism against gentrification
- Starting a community pantry/fridge in your neighborhood
- Organizing a donation drive amongst residents and local businesses
Need inspiration or unsure of what topic to choose? What better place to start than your local library! Check out this guide to brush up on your research skills and learn about the different research collections, databases, books (and more!) that are available to you. LibGuides, which are research guides compiled by BPL librarians around a specific topic, might also be helpful (such as Civic Engagement and Local History, for example).
Requirements
Submit a completed PowerPoint presentation by Friday, April 4, 2025 through this submission and application form. BPL staff will review all submissions on a rolling basis and will select 5-6 participants and their presentations by the week of April 14. Please note that submission does not guarantee that your presentation will be selected.
Presentation Parameters
- Presentations are limited to 7 minutes and 7 slides
- Presentations must be related to the theme of community activism (timeframe 1600s – present day)
- Information must be historically accurate
- Presentations must include a reference slide with the sources you’ve consulted
You can use just about any program to make your presentation. Just make sure to download your presentation as a PDF when you are submitting your slides. Some options include Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple Keynote, Google Slides, or Canva.
Need a refresher on how to use these tools? You can check out LinkedIn Learning, an online learning platform offering video tutorials that you can access for free with your BPL library card.
Interested in attending but not presenting? All are welcome to attend, watch, and learn from these presentations! We hope this can be an opportunity to meet fellow community history lovers and learn about the stories of civic engagement and activism in Boston. There will be light snacks and refreshments provided. Registration is required.
Questions? Just ask!
For questions about the History Slam, please email communityhistory@bpl.org. For research help, please email ask@bpl.org with your question or stop by your local neighborhood branch or the Central Library at Copley Square for assistance. We’re here to help.
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