Get ready for Freedom Groove 2026!

May 14-17, 2026

Let’s groove…

Freedom Groove provides a unique environment for socially engaged artists and grassroots organizers to connect and strategize together. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, the 2026 event will be directly inspired by the Funk Movement—a musical genre that celebrates self-expression, community, and social commentary through music and visual art. Participants will engage in workshops led by professional artists and organizers, focusing on incorporating funk's aesthetic principles of improvisation, world-building, and collective expression into their own work. The gathering will include artistic performances, collaborative art projects, and strategy sessions designed to foster deep connections and innovative approaches to community engagement. 


Watch this space for news regarding keynote speakers, performers, and participating organizations. If your community organizing or socially engaged art group is interested in participating in Freedom Groove, please contact us.

Photo: Hector Vaca
Photo: Pat Clifford

Freedom Groove 2025

Freedom Groove 2025 welcomed community organizers and socially engaged artists to learn from and challenge one another in developing a deeper strategy. We hosted over 100 people through a series of public panels, workshops, and celebrations. The Freedom Groove had two simultaneous tracks, one open to the public and the other an invited cohort of changemaking organizations. Last year's cohort was made up of 22 individuals representing six change-making organizations, including groups from Cincinnati, Columbus, and Akron. 

The inspiration for the DISCO Collective and The Freedom Groove came from the underground celebrations of the early days of disco that welcomed folks, particularly those who are marginalized, to take the time to find joy and become more expressive and intentional.

Photo: Pat Clifford

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📸 Freedom Groove Photo Dump 📸 Here are some AMAZING photos from this year's Freedom Groove festivities. A huge #THANKYOU to our photography sponsors, David Rosenthal and @hectorvacacruz along with those who shared their personal pics. 📸 😊 Becau
📸 Freedom Groove Photo Dump 📸 Here are some AMAZING photos from this year's Freedom Groove festivities. A huge #THANKYOU to our photography sponsors, David Rosenthal and @hectorvacacruz along with those who shared their personal pics. 📸 😊 Because of you, we're able to showcase and share memories and moments of this important, inaugural event.🥹 #freedomgroove2025 #socialchange #communityorganizing #socialart #disco
Still riding the wave from Freedom Groove 2025 🌊✨ The joy. The magic. The movement. Every photo from that day holds a whole vibe. A reminder that when we come together with purpose and presence, this is what’s possible. Big love to the visio
Still riding the wave from Freedom Groove 2025 🌊✨ The joy. The magic. The movement. Every photo from that day holds a whole vibe. A reminder that when we come together with purpose and presence, this is what’s possible. Big love to the visionary behind the lens, 📸 @hectorvacacruz, for capturing the essence so beautifully. To everyone who showed up, showed out, and helped co-create this moment… You made the groove. More photos dropping soon. But for now, just soak this in. #freedomgroove2025 #thepowerofthepause #communitymagic #radicalrest #movewithintention #hectorvacacruz #gratefulandgrooving #mindfulmoments #creativecommunity
We’re still lost in the music and magic of last week’s Freedom Groove! 🎶✨ A huge thank you to our phenomenal featured speakers, @sulmaariaspa and @quotaarts your shared wisdom and presence brought depth, insight, and inspiration to every conversation. To everyone who showed up for the workshops, sessions, and especially our incredible cohort; your energy, engagement, and impact will shape future Freedom Groove experiences in ways we can’t wait to see. As we keep building unity and community, we remain deeply inspired by each of you who show up, speak up, and commit to real change. 💫💛 #freedomgroove #dancetowarddemocracy #gratitudeistheattitude #togetherwerise
Freedom Groove 2025: Was. A. Vibe. 🤩 We came, we connected, we created something beautiful, and every beat of it was magic. ✨ Freedom Groove 2025 has officially wrapped, and it was a full-on soul train of success! 🙌🏾 From strategy sessions to t
Freedom Groove 2025: Was. A. Vibe. 🤩 We came, we connected, we created something beautiful, and every beat of it was magic. ✨ Freedom Groove 2025 has officially wrapped, and it was a full-on soul train of success! 🙌🏾 From strategy sessions to the dance party , every moment pulsed with purpose, joy, and community. 🫂 The official photos are on the way, but in the meantime, here are a few unofficial snapshots that captured the spirit, sparkle, and sweet, sweet synergy of the weekend. 📷 Deepest thanks to every beautiful being who showed up, showed out, and kept the groove going strong. 🪩 Stay tuned… we’re just getting started. #freedomgroove2025 #stayinthegroove #discoforjustice #radicaljoy #communityovereverything #morethanamovement #cincystrong #shineon #groovetogether #purposefulparty
It’s HERE! 🙌🏾🎊🙌🏾 Freedom Groove Cincinnati 2025 has officially begun! ✨ Two days of powerful workshops, dynamic strategy sessions, soul-fueled storytelling, and dance breaks that remind us, liberation can be joyful and intentional. This
It’s HERE! 🙌🏾🎊🙌🏾 Freedom Groove Cincinnati 2025 has officially begun! ✨ Two days of powerful workshops, dynamic strategy sessions, soul-fueled storytelling, and dance breaks that remind us, liberation can be joyful and intentional. This conscious conference is about more than just conversation, it’s about collective action, creative expression, and community power. ✊🏾 We’re closing things out with what will surely go down in history as the dance party of the decade, a disco-themed celebration of freedom, friendship, and fabulousness! 🤩 Big love and gratitude to our incredible keynote speakers and sponsors who helped make this moment possible: @sulmaariaspa @quotaarts @coopcincy @pplsaction @thefreedombloc @peoplesjustice #cufa #residentsorganizingforchange @interactforhealth #uccenterforthecity #themiamiuniversitycenterforcommunitron @rohsstreetcafe @deeperrootsdrc We’ll see you on the dance floor and in the movement. 🪩🕺🏾💃🏾 #freedomgroovecincy #communitypower #liberationinmotion #danceitout #movementandmomentum #discofordemocracy
What’s really going on with housing in Cincinnati? 🏠 Let’s dig in and take action. Join us for a community-led session to unpack: • The impact of Connected Communities zoning • Affordable housing cuts at every level •
What’s really going on with housing in Cincinnati? 🏠 Let’s dig in and take action. Join us for a community-led session to unpack: • The impact of Connected Communities zoning • Affordable housing cuts at every level • HUD rollbacks & rising local housing struggles We’ll explore what’s at stake for renters, owners, and unhoused neighbors and break out into action sessions to build solutions together. Free tickets | Transportation available Scan the QR code to learn more. Hosted by: CUFA, Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, NAACP, HOME Cincy, Cincinnati Action for Housing Now, Homeless Congress & Freedom Groove #HousingJustice #CincyStrong #CommunityPower #FreedomGroove #ActForHousing
Freedom Groove 2025 is all about celebration and connection. We're bringing together creative minds and community organizers to share both successes and struggles, while dancing it out together. This Northside block party, hosted at @libertyexhibitionhall is your chance to move, groove, and celebrate the power of community and dance your way toward a better democracy. Join the party on May 17! Details in the bio. 🪩✨ #freedomgroove2025 #northsidecincy #communitypower #dancefordemocracy #creativecommunity #blockpartyvibes #libertyexhibitionhall #celebratechange #movementculture #groovetogether
In the summer of 1963, dozens of young Black girls were locked away in a filthy stockade for daring to demand justice. They were the Leesburg Stockade Girls and their story reminds us: the fight for justice has never been easy… but it has always been necessary. The road to change is hard. It’s messy. It asks everything of us. And still we rise. Still we gather. Still we find joy, even in the struggle. Because joy is not just survival, it’s resistance. Our stories matter. Our unity matters. Our movement matters. Together, we carry the legacy forward and dance our way toward a better tomorrow. #freedomgroove2025 #leesburgstockadegirls #joyasresistance #justiceinaction #wemovetogether #powerofcommunity #riseandresist
Even in the face of challenges and adversity, we must stand together, be strategic, take action and at the end of the day, keep on dancing! 🕺🏾💃🏾 Join us as we combine community, strategy, and dance to challenge the status quo and spark real change. Freedom Groove is where we’ll move, groove, and dance our way toward a better democracy! 🪩 #inittogether #freedomgroove #danceparty #communityevent #boogienight
Freedom Groove 2025 isn’t just about planning, it’s a full-on dance party! 🪩 Join us as we boogie oogie oogie our way toward a better democracy. May 17 & 18th @libertyexhibitionhall 💃🏾🕺🏾 #dontmissit #moveforthemovement #dancefordemocracy #freedomforever
📸 Freedom Groove Photo Dump 📸 Here are some AMAZING photos from this year's Freedom Groove festivities. A huge #THANKYOU to our photography sponsors, David Rosenthal and @hectorvacacruz along with those who shared their personal pics. 📸 😊 Becau Still riding the wave from Freedom Groove 2025 🌊✨ The joy. The magic. The movement. Every photo from that day holds a whole vibe. A reminder that when we come together with purpose and presence, this is what’s possible. Big love to the visio
We’re still lost in the music and magic of last week’s Freedom Groove! 🎶✨ A huge thank you to our phenomenal featured speakers, @sulmaariaspa and @quotaarts your shared wisdom and presence brought depth, insight, and inspiration to ever
Freedom Groove 2025: Was. A. Vibe. 🤩 We came, we connected, we created something beautiful, and every beat of it was magic. ✨ Freedom Groove 2025 has officially wrapped, and it was a full-on soul train of success! 🙌🏾 From strategy sessions to t It’s HERE! 🙌🏾🎊🙌🏾 Freedom Groove Cincinnati 2025 has officially begun! ✨ Two days of powerful workshops, dynamic strategy sessions, soul-fueled storytelling, and dance breaks that remind us, liberation can be joyful and intentional. This What’s really going on with housing in Cincinnati? 🏠 Let’s dig in and take action. Join us for a community-led session to unpack: • The impact of Connected Communities zoning • Affordable housing cuts at every level •
Freedom Groove 2025 is all about celebration and connection. We're bringing together creative minds and community organizers to share both successes and struggles, while dancing it out together. This Northside block party, hosted at @libertyexhibiti
In the summer of 1963, dozens of young Black girls were locked away in a filthy stockade for daring to demand justice. They were the Leesburg Stockade Girls and their story reminds us: the fight for justice has never been easy… but it has alwa
Even in the face of challenges and adversity, we must stand together, be strategic, take action and at the end of the day, keep on dancing! 🕺🏾💃🏾 Join us as we combine community, strategy, and dance to challenge the status quo and spark real chan
Freedom Groove 2025 isn’t just about planning, it’s a full-on dance party! 🪩 Join us as we boogie oogie oogie our way toward a better democracy. May 17 & 18th @libertyexhibitionhall 💃🏾🕺🏾 #dontmissit #moveforthemovement #dancefor