We Celebrate Black History Month

Philly's Best R&B And Classic Soul

Black History Month: The Voice that Inspires

During the month of February we celebrate Black History Month which had its beginnings as one week set aside in 1926.
Historian Carter G. Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. By 1976 the Federal Government recognized the entire month of February as Black History Month.

This year we mark the days with The Voice
Ww have asked folks which African American Voice past or present inspired them. We honor the African Americans who have made a difference and we celebrate Dr. Woodson's hope that someday this special month will no longer be needed - when black history becomes fundamental to American History.

Today's Featured Video

Past Featured Videos

Check back every day as we honor the African Americans who have made a difference.

"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union"

We honor this union every day, but highlight it during Black History Month. The words on the right were shared by the first African-American President Barack Obama during a speech he gave right here in Philadelphia directly addressing the issue of race.

Where To Celebrate Black History Month In Philadelphia

In honor of Black History Month, below is a listing of locations to visit in Philadelphia where you can experience Black History Month in person:

Visit Our Events Calendar

Historical locations to visit in Philadlephia +

Locations to visit in Philadelphia

Johnson House Historic Site
In the 19th century, the Johnson House served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and a meeting place for abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman and William Still. The house is one of the only Underground Railroad sites in the region with an interpretive program open to the public. For more information, visit www.johnsonhouse.org. The Johnson House Historic Site is located at 6306 Germantown Avenue, and its phone number is (215) 438-1768.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania contains numerous documents relating to African American history and the anti-slavery movement. It also houses several documents by William Still, one of the most successful African Americans in Philadelphia's history and author of The Underground Railroad. For more information, call (215) 732-6200 or visit www.hsp.org. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is located at 1300 Locust Street in Philadelphia.

Blue Horizon
In 1999, the Blue Horizon was named the #1 boxing venue in the world, and is used as a stepping stone for amateurs to the professional ranks. The Blue Horizon is still used for concerts, weddings, receptions, meetings, wrestling matches, cabarets, banquets, community meetings and more. For the full schedule of events, call (215) 763-0500, or visit www.legendarybluehorizon.com. The Blue Horizon is located at 1312-16 Broad Street in Philadelphia.

Library Company of Philadelphia
Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731, the Library Company of Philadelphia is the nation's first cultural institution providing thorough collections of rare books, manuscripts and prints. The Library Company has one of the most comprehensive collections by and about African Americans which pre-dates the Civil War. For more information, call (215) 546-3181 or visit www.librarycompany.com. The Library Company of Philadelphia is located at 1314 Locust Street in Philadelphia.

Marian Anderson Historical Residence
The first residence purchased by Marian Anderson in 1924 is filled with memorabilia and rare photos of the singer. This location offers tours by appointment. For appointments or more information, please call (215) 732-9505 or visit www.mariananderson.org. The Marian Anderson Historical Residence is located at 762 S. Marian Anderson Way (Martin Street) in Philadelphia.

Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church
The church, founded by Richard Allen in 1731, stands on the oldest parcel of land in America continuously owned by African Americans, and is the mother church of the African-Methodist Episcopal Denomination. For more information on this church, call (215) 925-0616 or visit www.motherbethel.org. The Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church is located at 6th & Lombard Streets in Philadelphia.

Paul Robeson Home & Historic Marker
Singer, actor, and athlete Paul Robeson's former home is now a museum where his sheet music, period furnishings and photographs are displayed. This location offers tours by appointment. For appointments or more information, call (215) 747-3242. The Paul Robeson Home and Historic Marker is located at 4951 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Tribune Newspaper
Founded in 1884, the Tribune is America's oldest and Greater Philadelphia's largest newspaper serving the African American community. A historic overview of the Philadelphia Tribune is available upon request. To contact the Philadelphia Tribune, call (215) 893-4095 or visit www.phila-tribune.com. The Philadelphia Tribune is located at 520 S. 16th Street in Philadelphia.

African American Heritage: Freedom's Trail
The African American Heritage: Freedom's Trail is a tour that will allow you to retrace the trail of the Underground Railroad with a self-guided, driving tour provided by the Valley Forge Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information, call (610) 834-7969, or visit www.valleyforge.org/group_tours/itineraries/african-american-heritage-freedoms-trail/. The Valley Forge Convention Center is located at 1160 First Avenue in King of Prussia, PA.

African American Museum In Philadelphia (AAMP)
The AAMP was the first museum built by a major U.S. city to house and interpret the life and work of African Americans. For more information, call (215) 574-0380 or visit www.aampmuseum.org. The African American Museum in Philadelphia is located at 7th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia.

Freedom Theatre
Founded in 1966, the theater is distinguished as the oldest African American performing arts institution in Pennsylvania and the largest African American theater company in the U.S. Freedom's internationally acclaimed artistic director, Walter Dallas, provides the vision for the institution, which includes a professional repertory theater company and a performing arts training program. For more information, call (215) 765-2793 or visit www.freedomtheatre.org. The Freedom Theater is located at 1346 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia.

Art Sanctuary
Located in the Church of the Advocate, the Art Sanctuary brings together established and emerging artists for performances, lectures and educational programs and is host to the annual Celebration of Black Writing Festival. For more information, call (215) 232-4485 or visit www.artsanctuary.org. The Art Sanctuary is located at 1801 W. Diamond Street in Philadelphia.

Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
The Blockson Collection contains more than 100,000 items related to African American history and experience, including books, letters, slave narratives, photographs, sheet music and original recordings. The collection can be found at Sullivan Hall at Temple University. For more information, call (215) 204-6632 or www.library.temple.edu. Sullivan Hall on Temple University's campus is located at 1330 W. Berks Street on the 1st Floor.

PHILADANCO
The Philadelphia Dance Company, affectionately known as PHILADANCO, is a professional contemporary dance company, which performs twice a year in Philadelphia and tours throughout the world. PHILADANCO is best known for its usage of predominantly African-American traditions in dance. For more information on performance dates and times, call (215) 387-8200 or visit www.philadanco.org. The Philadelphia Dance Company is located at 9 N. Preston Street in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Doll Museum
Established in 1998, the museum was created to preserve African American doll history and culture by presenting the art of doll making and collecting though seminars and lectures. For more information, call (215) 787-0220 or visit www.philadollmuseum.com. The Philadelphia Doll Museum is located at 2253 N. Broad Street in Philadelphia.

Tell us who inspires you

COMMENT

Leave a comment using your Facebook account