Through iconic characters like Lion Man, Black Panther, Storm, Luke Cage, and Miles Morales, the new The Black Hero’s Journey exhibition at the University of Pennsylvania’s The Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center will explore how comics have reflected the struggles and aspirations of Black communities. See the event entry ‘Exhibit Examines Black Characters Via Comic Books.’
October is all about sweater weather, hot cocoa, pumpkins, spice, scary costumes, and autumn leaves. But it is also the season of events. From Black comic book heroes to an art exhibit exploring the Caribbean islands, get out and explore these low-cost or free community events.
Talk To Explore How Stories Of The Past Shape The Future
Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Join the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Valerie Still for a community conversation called More Than a Game: Connections and Community in Women’s Sports. Still is a WNBA Hall of Famer, author, and descendant of William Still, the “Father of the Underground Railroad.” Still will look at how the stories of our ancestors have shaped our understanding of resilience and representation. Joining Still will be the Philadelphia Sisters Sports Group and award-winning ESPN women’s basketball analyst Brenda VanLengen, who will examine the impact of sports communities. A display of historical materials will dive into the history of women’s sports in Philadelphia, including school and recreational teams, collegiate and professional athletics.
$10 per person, 6:30 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. Historical Society of Pennsylvania, 1300 Locust St. 215-732-6200 or https://hsp.org/calendar/more-game-connections-and-community-womens-sports
Superhero City, 2026 by Philadelphia illustrator, curator and art director Eric Battle will be part of The Black Hero’s Journey exhibit tracing the evolution of Black comic book heroes and creators.
Exhibit To Examine Black Characters Via Comic Books
Thursday, October 15, 2026. Check out the opening of The Black Hero’s Journey, an engaging exhibit tracing the evolution of Black comic book heroes and creators. It will focus on negative stereotypes, as well as protagonists and visionary storytellers. The show will feature Lion Man, Black Panther, Nubia, Storm, and Static. It will examine how comics have portrayed Black communities while highlighting connections to Philadelphia.
Christian Cooper, an Emmy-winning TV host, writer, and editor, will join exhibit co-curator the Rev. Charles “Chaz” Lattimore Howard for a candid conversation about representation in American comics. The exhibit will include items from the personal collections of Howard, University Vice President for Social Equity & Community at the University of Pennsylvania, and West Philly resident and comic artist Eric Battle, who has illustrated iconic characters for DC Comics and Marvel Comics.
The exhibit will showcase a 1940s-era replica newsstand that demonstrates the value of comic and print culture of that era. Underground comix and the Afrofuturism movement will be explored, as well as connections between X-Men and the Civil Rights Movement. The show will examine the creators behind the stories, including exhibit co-curator Battle, who contributed custom artwork of Paul Robeson, Sadie Alexander, W.E.B. DuBois, Orrin C. Evans, and others.
The opening night conversation with Christian Cooper: Free, 6 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST. The Black Hero’s Journey will be on view free until May 27, 2027, from 10 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST daily. University of Pennsylvania’s campus, The Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (Goldstein Gallery/ 6th Fl.), 3451 Walnut St. 215-898-7566 or https://www.library.upenn.edu/exhibits/black-heros-journey
Breast Cancer Awareness Walk To Pass Baton Of Hope
Saturday, October 17, 2026. Get out your favorite sneakers and get ready for the “One Philly Pass the Baton Breast Cancer Walk.” The walk will be hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Engagement and Robin Maddox, founder of She Shines Women Conference and breast cancer advocate. Bring your family, neighbors, coworkers, church family, sorority sisters, community organizations, survivors, and caregivers.
Under Keiwana McKinney Ford, the City of Philadelphia’s Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women, the event will observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month and support breast cancer patients and survivors. Community organizations championing breast cancer awareness will be acknowledged. Free mammogram screenings and educational resources will be available.
The walk will begin at the School District of Philadelphia building parking lot, Broad and Spring Garden streets, and proceed to LOVE Park, 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Blvd., for a celebration and recognition program. Free, 11:30 a.m. EST to 2:15 p.m. EST (11:30 a.m. EST start at LOVE Park at 12:15 p.m. EST for Celebration & Recognition Program). https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/PKi2Rg1N75
Walk For Mental Illness Education
Saturday, October 17, 2026. Philadelphia therapist Dr. George James and media personality Mina Say What will host NAMIWalks Philadelphia, a day of community mental health education. Inspired by the theme “Be the Change,” the annual 5K walk will be a community gathering and a ‘reintroduction’ to NAMI Philadelphia, the nonprofit providing accessible community mental health support through free education, advocacy, peer support and family support. The event will mobilize individuals, families, advocates, behavioral health professionals, businesses and community organizations.
Walk through the grounds of Friends Hospital and check out community resources, live entertainment, and expert presentations. Enter raffles or score big with some giveaways. Walk independently, create a team, volunteer, fundraise or donate. Meet NAMI Philadelphia leaders, supporters, and community partners; enjoy a presentation honoring this year’s Community Icon Award recipient, Katrina Pratt-Roebuck, Senior Director of Systems Integration of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services.
Free, 11 a.m. EST to 2 p.m. EST. Friends Hospital, 4641 Roosevelt Blvd. 844-745-4673 or namiphilly.org/get-involved/namiwalks
Network With Pharma & Health Professionals
Friday, October 16, 2026. Healthcare professionals will like this event. Check out The Bridging Healthcare Communities Q4 Networking Mixer hosted by Black Health Connect. Mix and mingle with entrepreneurs, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, public-health leaders, lobbyists, and hospital administrators.
Pre-register: $23.18 per person, 5 p.m. EST. to 10 p.m. EST. Mr. Ivy, 459 N. 3rd St. Blackhealthconnect.com or https://www.eventbrite.com
Art Exhibit Reflects Caribbean Life
Through Friday, October 23, 2026. Catch the City of Philadelphia Creative Philadelphia’s Art In City Hall program, Passport Through the Caribbean: Art & Artifacts Representing Caribbean Life through the Four Pillars, before it closes soon. Creative Philadelphia teamed up with the City’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and the Mayor’s Commission on African, Caribbean Affairs. Passport Through the Caribbean is curated by Raeann Billey of the Guyana Tri-State Coalition and Chamber Inc. and the Caribbean United Leaders Collective (CULC). Get a view of the culture of the islands through paintings, photographs, prints, cultural artifacts, and more.
The Four Pillars noted in the exhibit’s title are family, food, fun, and faith, which often is conveyed through oral traditions derived from tales of West African Anansi parables.
Free, weekdays, 9 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST, Office of Immigrant Affairs, City Hall (southwest corner/ 1st Fl.) https://www.creativephl.org or https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-immigrant-affairs
What Just Happened?: Recent Events Around Town
The Mayor’s Office of Women and Girls Engagement hosted the One Philly Wonder Women Tour Big Stage event on September 12th at the Temple Performing Arts Center in North Philly. Local women and organizations that empower women and girls were honored. The event focused on housing, physical and mental health, as well as economic opportunity. Pictured above, presenter Robin Maddox, founder of the She Shines Conference (https://www.sheshinesconference.com/), recognizes Tracy Smith, a breast cancer survivor and owner of Creative Vases in West Philadelphia.
