African American History & Culture Showcase Celebrates 400 Years Of Black U.S. History, April 20

Did you know that 2019 marks the 400-year anniversary of when the first enslaved African people were brought to the United States?

All year long, people around the country are commemorating this landmark occasion with special events and programming — and here in Philadelphia, the African American History & Culture Showcase aims to do just that.

The free showcase — taking place April 20-21 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center — aims to tell the “true story” of African American contributions to the founding of America via interactive exhibits, historical reenactments, arts performances and panel discussions.

FAST FACTS

• The African American History & Culture Showcase takes place April 20-21.
• The showcase, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, is free to attend.
• The weekend includes performances, films, panel discussions, vendors and more.
• Local Black history museums and organizations showcase more than 20 exhibits.

The African American History & Culture Showcase was created in 2004 to tell the story of the Black American experience.

Featuring nearly two-dozen private and museum exhibits, the showcase invites guests to learn about forgotten or buried pieces of American history from the historians who preserved them.

Exhibitors for 2019 include:

• The Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery
• International Black Inventions Museum
• Clef Club of Jazz & Performing Arts
• Cheney University Department of Archaeology, and
• The Tuskegee Airmen.

On top of the extensive two-day exhibitions, the showcase features interactive events, presentations and performances.

Molefi Kete Asante, scholar and professor and chair of the Temple University Department of African American Studies, will give the keynote speech, entitled “400 Years of Witnessing: The African American Presence in the American Nation,” on Saturday, April 20, at 4 p.m.

A screening of the film, Resurrecting Black Wall Street: The Blueprint, takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Boyce Watkins. And workshops help visitors trace their African American genealogy back to countries and tribes in Africa.

Throughout the event, attendees can enjoy performances by groups including the PHILADANCO D3 Youth as well as an opera concert in celebration of opera trailblazer — and one-time Philadelphia resident — Marian Anderson.

One more standout attraction: the annual Black Wall Street Marketplace. The vendor bazaar spans both days and includes wares by African World Art, Umio Naturals and more as well as book vendors.

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is conveniently located in Center City Philadelphia near SEPTA’s major public transit lines. Residents and visitors can take the Market-Frankford subway and get off at 11th Street.

If driving, the African American History & Culture Showcase has a coupon for discounted pricing near the convention center.

Make the most of the weekend by booking the Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package, featuring more than $200 in free perks.

Enjoy this engaging — and free! — opportunity to learn more about Black American history.