Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David will deliver a dramatic reading of a speech by the legendary 19th-century American abolitionist in “The Frederick Douglass Project.”

The event will begin with David’s reading of a speech delivered by Douglass at the National Convention of Colored Men in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 24, 1883. The convention itself was controversial. White and Black leaders debated its necessity, optics and chance of vote interference. Douglass’ speech answered the posed question—why are we holding this convention?—by explaining the importance and urgency for Black communities to secure full voting rights and fair and equal treatment.

“He refuted the argument that Black political organizing was a thing of the past. He reminded Americans of all kinds that racial inequality remained the law of the land,” DouglassDay.com said of the address.

After the reading, a community panel will prompt discussion about the speech, and event Director Bryan Doerries and company community liaison Dominic Dupont will moderate a townhall-style audience discussion.