Freedom Rider Lew Zuchman to Inspire at Bay College—One Week Away!

News

Lew Zuchman, original 1961 Freedom Rider

By Amy Reddinger
Published January 11, 2024

Lew Zuchman, an esteemed Civil Rights activist and Executive Director of SCAN-Harbor will be speaking on Thursday, January 18 at 2pm ET in the Besse Center Theater on the Escanaba campus, with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity for the community to hear from a veteran of the Civil Rights movement and a distinguished leader in youth and family services.

Lew Zuchman was a 1961 Freedom Rider, and he played a pivotal role in the struggle for equality from 1961 through 1966. He worked as part of the Mississippi Voter Registration efforts, the Meredith March against Fear, and the Southern Sit-In Movement. Zuchman has gone on to lead the New York City non-profit SCAN-Harbor for an impressive 35 years, overseeing its transformation into the largest youth service provider in the East Harlem, Harlem, and South Bronx communities. The organization, under Zuchman’s leadership, serves approximately 7,000 youth and 1,000 adults annually, making a significant impact on the lives of the individuals in these communities.

In recognition of his significant role in the Civil Rights movement, Mr. Zuchman has been a featured figure in recent books such as “Breach of Peace” and “Freedom Riders,” as well as video documentaries like “Grandpa Was A Freedom Rider.” He has shared his experiences on various television platforms, including CBS, New York 1, NBC, and CSPAN. He has also been featured in esteemed publications such as the Washington Post, Village Voice, and the New Yorker.

While he is in town, Lew Zuchman will be meeting with incarcerated youth at Bay Pines Center, the juvenile detention and treatment facility in Escanaba. Zuchman will also be connecting with K-12 students in a variety of ways during his visit. Educators, please reach out if you are interested in having your class attend this event in person or via Zoom.

For more information, please contact Amy Reddinger, Vice President of Arts & Sciences and Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at p: (906)-217-4068 or e: amy.reddinger_FROM_BAY_COLLEGE.

The Bay College Diversity Committee works to promote awareness of diversity at all Bay College campuses and in surrounding communities through annual programming and events that strengthen global awareness, encourage cultural understanding, and unite us through our commonalities and across differences.

Bay College is devoted to your success in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce. We’re proud to offer certificates and programs that result in successful careers, associate degrees and credits that transfer to universities, and workforce training to sharpen your skills and advance your career. #BayIsTheWay