Black culture and history are an integral part of Philadelphia’s identity year-round, but during Black History Month, the City of Brotherly Love shines a spotlight on the trailblazers, milestones and moments in Black history that have changed our world.
Philadelphia has a long and rich history of Black culture, and it is celebrating that history this month with a lineup of special events, documentary and film screenings and educational tours.
The City of Brotherly Love Celebrates Black History
Here are just a few of the many ways the City of Brotherly Love is celebrating Black History Month this year:
African American Museum
The African American Museum is featuring a special exhibition, curated in collaboration with award-winning actress CCH Pounder-Koné, called “Shared Vision: Portraits from the CCH Pounder-Koné Collection.
The exhibition features 40 works of art from both established artists, including Bisa Butler and Samella Lewis, and emerging artists such as Luke Agada and Alex Peter Idoko. The artworks, which are expressed in multiple media, explore the ideas of identity, presence, beauty, autonomy and power. It is open to the public until March 2.
The Hyatt Centric Center City
The Hyatt Centric Center City is displaying a multimedia exhibition by Philly-based artists in its second annual Black History Month Showcase. The works range from photography and sculptures to paintings and illustrations. The exhibition runs through mid-March.
The Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum, Philly’s top children’s museum, is running Black History-inspired programming through February, including a dance performance by Le Phoenix Dance Institute and the Hue You Are hands-on art-making experience.
The Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution is running Black History programming throughout the month, including a first-person theatrical performance, Meet Elizabeth Freeman, which details the story of an enslaved woman living in Massachusetts who sued for her freedom and won. Another highlight is a guided tour by one of the museum’s educators through the museum’s core exhibits, with a special emphasis on the stories and artifacts from Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Freeman and Harry Washington, all colonial men and women of African descent.
The National Constitutional Center
The National Constitutional Center also is running month-long programming to celebrate Black History, including daily crafts, trivia, scavenger hunts, special shows and artifact talks featuring some of the many African Americans that changed the course of history.
The Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House also is running programming throughout the month that features stories of prominent members of colonial Philadelphia’s free Black community.
The Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library of Philadelphia is running a series of programs and workshops in February with free events throughout the city’s libraries, including a workshop that celebrates the life and work of Black folk herbalist Emma Dupree, an African drum circle with children’s music educator and multi-instrumentalist Mister Boom Boom, and a hip hop fundamentals teen workshop.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, home to the Pennsylvania Abolition Society’s historical documents dating back to 1775, is offering an exhibit through May 23 that is designed to shine a scholarly light on the abolitionist movement through writings and documents.
For a full list of activities, dates and admission fees, visit visitphilly.com.
