Photo source: Dionte Wade, courtesy of the UNCF Philadelphia.
(L-R) Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Philadelphia, the nation’s largest supporter of private minority education, awarded the prestigious Semiquincentennial Legacy Award to The Roots. Known as the 2026 UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, the awards ceremony and fundraiser took place at the Philadelphia Downtown Marriott in Center City last Saturday. The honor recognizes the Philadelphia band and highlights the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration in the nation’s birthplace this year.
The Roots was formed in 1987 by West Philly drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and South Philly singer Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter. An event record of more than $1 million was raised to bolster UNCF’s mission of providing scholarships for college students in need and supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Spring has sprung. But reluctantly. We will take it, though, as it seems that we barely took a fresh breath of restless March before it wilts away each day like the petals of a daisy. No worries. We have Women’s History Month activities and other (low-cost or free) culturally significant events here to warm us up. And just in time, as we wait for the weather that will finally put a spring in our step.
Walk Like An Egyptian Late At Night
Saturday, March 28, 2026. It’s almost like a sleepover, but no PJs required. Kids ages 6 to 12 can stay up late at Up Late with the Sphinx, featuring hands-on game stations, art-making activities, story creation, a flashlight tour, and exploration of the galleries filled with ancient artifacts at the Penn Museum. A few of the treasures to check out are a 25,000-pound Granite Sphinx of Ramses II and age-old Egyptian mummies.
Get a free Penn Museum patch to remember the night. $35 per ticket; 5 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. Penn Museum / University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St.
Email: events@pennmuseum.org, 215-898- 4016 or https://www.penn.museum/calendar/1600/up-late-with-the-sphinx
Endea Owens. Photo courtesy of Ensemble Arts Philly.
Owens Is The Boss On The Bass
Saturday, March 28, 2026. Endea Owens & The Cookout are coming to Philly. Owens has so many awards, you can stack them up as high as her vintage “Hungarian” upright double bass. With a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Peabody Award under her belt, Endea Owens, the Juilliard School’s pride and joy, is clearly a shooting star in the jazz world.
The Detroit-raised recording artist, bassist, and composer has played at the altar of jazz greats Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, Ron Carter, and Wynton Marsalis. Owens has performed on Jon Batiste’s Grammy Award-winning album We Are, the Oscar-nominated film Judas and the Black Messiah, and H.E.R. ‘s Super Bowl LV performance. Her 2022 composition about the life of Ida B. Wells — “Ida’s Crusade” was performed by the NYO Carnegie Hall Orchestra. Her debut album, “Feel Good Music,” was released in 2023.
$53 to $95.48 per ticket; 7:30 p.m. EST, Kimmel Center / Perelman Theater, 300 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/series-and-subscriptions/jazz-series/endea-owens-and-the-cookout
A Kids’ Workshop That Does Publishing
Saturdays, March 28, 2026 & April 11, 2026. The Paschalville Library usually is not open on Saturdays, but that was before award-winning author Dr. Sheena C. Howard entered the picture. Dr. Howard is back by popular demand to lead two weekend workshops that teach parents and kids how to get children published. One session focuses on publishing in films, books, and other creative word endeavors, while another looks at practical ways to obtain funding for documentaries. It will be part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Author Workshop Series. Join the Rider University communications professor for an insightful how-to session that mixes creativity with commerce.
Free but pre-register; 2:30 p.m. EST. Paschalville Library, 6942 Woodland Ave, Southwest Philadelphia. 215-685-2662 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/authorevents/?id=158715
Celebrate Black Pride
Like a buckle on a belt, ‘Afrofuturism in Costume Design’ highlights Ruth E. Carter’s film, fitting fashionably with the ‘Black on Noir’ gala at the African American Museum.
Sunday, March 29, 2026. The African American Museum in Philadelphia will roll out the green, yellow, and red carpet for an elegant evening celebrating history, cultural identity, and fashion at “Black on Noir: An Evening of Legacy & Black Excellence.”
Actually, the reigning color of the gala will be black. Community leaders, creatives, and professionals will put on their most extravagant all-black attire as part of the event’s signature tribute to Black culture. Enjoy “a cultural exploration of The History and Art of Black Hair, recognition of leaders who embody excellence and legacy,” live entertainment, light fare and networking. The event is aligned with the museum’s exhibit, “Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” featuring the work of Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter who went from Springfield, Massachusetts to Hollywood.
Carter’s film credits include “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka,” “Malcolm X,” “Black Panther,” and “Sinners.” Explore Carter’s artistry and cultural impact on fashion, film, and representation. “Black on Noir is about celebrating the legacy, creativity, and excellence that continue to shape Black culture,” said Ann Turner, the event’s co-organizer. “Philadelphia has a vibrant creative community, and this evening brings people together in one of the city’s most important cultural institutions.”
$50 per ticket: General Admission; $100: VIP; 6 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-of-black-on-noir-tickets-1984487812468:
Take A Deep Dive Into African Culture
The stories of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks.
Sunday, March 29, 2026. The Penn Museum will host a screening of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, a series of more than a dozen short documentary films that examine some of Africa’s top cultural landscapes. The series is directed by Sosena Solomon, a college lecturer and an award-winning Ethiopian-American social documentary filmmaker and multimedia artist. Her work examines the stories of culture, identity, and communities in transition across sub-Saharan Africa and the global diaspora.
Africa’s Cultural Landmarks highlights Africa’s architectural diversity. The film series includes notable sites with titles such as the Combs of the Buganda Kings at Kasubi, Asante Traditional Buildings in Ghana, and Great Zimbabwe. The promotional material notes: “…this film series bridges ancestral legacies with contemporary narratives across the subcontinent.” Also, enjoy perusing Penn Museum’s galleries, exhibitions, and outdoor gardens.
Free, but pre-registration is encouraged; 1 p.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST. Penn Museum / University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, 3260 South St. 215-898-4000 or https://www.penn.museum/
‘The Four Harriets of History’ Fought For Equality
Through Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Observe Women’s History Month and get a close-up look at American women who fought for freedom and equality. Explore the lives of Harriet Robinson Scott, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Jacobs, and Harriet Beecher Stowe in the exhibit The Four Harriets of History. These remarkable women faced slavery head on through literature, lawsuits, and direct action as freedom fighters. Their stories are fascinating; the enslaved Harriet Robinson Scott (1815 to 1876, pictured far left in the photo above) and her husband, Drew Scott, fought fiercely for their freedom for 11 years before being freed. Emancipation followed the history-making 1857 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Drew Scott v. Sandford. Learn more about the crusading Harriets in history.
Kids 5 & under and military: Free; adults: $19.95 online, $24.95 onsite; kids 6 to 18 & seniors 65+: $19.95 online, $24.95 onsite; 10:45 a.m. EST and 12:45 p.m. EST. National Constitution Center / Kenneth C. Griffin Great Hall Overlook, 525 Arch St., or 215-409-6600, or https://constitutioncenter.org/calendar/womens-history-month-2026
(L-R) Anzio Williams, Sulaiman Rahman, NABJ-Philadelphia Vice President Melanie Burney, Dr. Keith Leaphart and Marcus Allen. Photo courtesy of NABJ-Philadelphia.
Meeting The Match
The National Association of Black Journalists-Philadelphia met its $10,000 match goal for the Michael I. Days Scholarship program when Sulaiman Rahman presented a donation at its 444 Charitable Birthday Celebration earlier this month. Proceeds from the fundraising event were donated. A $7,500 ceremonial check was presented to NABJ Philadelphia Vice President Melanie Burney, helping the organization to meet the overall $10,000 challenge made in January by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Rahman is the chairman of the Lenfest board. Days’ friends, colleagues, family, and supporters also contributed to the overall fundraising efforts. The scholarship honors Days’ legacy as a Pulitzer Prize–winning media executive and former Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer editor. Days was a mentor and inspired young journalists. NABJ-Philadelphia will present two inaugural scholarships to students at a reception in May. NABJ, which represents and advocates for professional communicators in the Philadelphia area, is still accepting donations for future Michael I. Days Scholarships: bit.ly/mikedaysscholarship
