40 Under 40: Sydney Freeman Jr.
Freeman
For Sydney Freeman Jr., a full professor of Adult, Organizational Learning at the University of Idaho, it’s not all theory.
“I’m a professor who puts leadership in action in the community,” he said.
Freeman said he aims to ensure that Black people have a sense of community and can thrive in Idaho and beyond.
To that end, he led the conceptualization of the Black/African American Cultural Center on campus. He’s the director of the university’s Black History Research Lab and also partnered with the Latah County Historical Society on projects documenting early and recent Black history in Moscow.
“There is Black history in Idaho, including in North Idaho,” he said.
In addition to his academic work, Freeman has launched two businesses: Dr. Freeman, LLC and the Liberation Movement, Inc.
Freeman said he doesn’t see being named a 40 Under 40 winner as an individual honor. Rather, he sees it as an honor for his community.
“I think it’s really important in this time when you have attacks on (diversity, equity and inclusion) that Idaho acknowledges the contributions of African Americans,” he said.
