The Scranton Area Community Foundation honors the rich and diverse heritage, contributions, and achievements of Black individuals throughout our region’s history.
During Black History Month, the Scranton Area Community Foundation would like to highlight some of the events and programs that are taking place in our area to foster awareness, appreciation, and dialogue surrounding Black history.
Celebrating African Americans and the Arts
The University of Scranton Cultural Centers, in collaboration with the Weinberg Memorial Library, the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union, and the Black Scranton Project, is hosting several programs highlighting Black culture for the campus and the larger community. This year’s theme: “African American and the Arts,” focuses on African Americans’ contributions to the world of art in various forms and definitions and through numerous artistic and cultural movements.
Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Walking Tour
The Destination Freedom: Underground Railroad Walking Tour at the Waverly Community House will give visitors the opportunity to explore the lives of abolitionists and formerly enslaved settlers. It is the only program of its kind in the area that is centered around the Underground Railroad and local Civil War-era history.
Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad
As part of its Black History Month Lecture Series with EJ Murphy, the Waverly Community House will also host a talk about Frederick Douglass and the Underground Railroad on February 25th at 1:00 pm.
Taking up Space Films
The Black Scranton Project, in partnership with Park Multimedia and Scranton Fringe, will screen “Taking up Space Films” at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture on February 28th at 6:30 pm. Experience a diverse selection of short films that challenge conventional narratives and amplify underrepresented voices.
Black History Month Community Dinner
The NAACP Wilkes Barre Branch #2306 will host a Black History Month Community Dinner at the Friedman JCC/JCA of Northeast Pennsylvania in Kingston on February 25th at 1 pm. The event will include Carribean and Soul Food-inspired cuisine, an NAACP membership drive, a Black History Month movie, and community speakers.
Ready to shop locally?
Support our Black and POC-owned businesses in Northeast Pennsylvania with the help of this Black Business Directory: https://www.blackscranton.org/blackbusiness