Photo by Tony Webb, City of Philadelphia
A King Legacy: The Rev. Jesse Jackson greets then-Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter circa 2010 at an event at Community College of Philadelphia. The civil rights leader, who was a protégé of Dr. Martin King Jr. ‘s and twice a Presidential candidate, died at age 84 last week.
“Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.”— Jesse Louis Jackson (1941-2026)
In this week’s lineup of activities, leap feet first into a new season with the innovative world-famous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre; explore the enduring impact of the Declaration of Independence globally, and take a deep dive into the hidden treasures in the Black cultural institutions of Historic Germantown, as Black History Month powers down this week. Enjoy these free or low-cost indoor, in-person entertainment offerings.
Celebrating The Declaration Of Independence’s World Legacy
Thursday, February 26, 2026, explore how the Declaration of Independence inspired self-rule around the world. Learn about this enduring document’s impact and its global legacy established in Philadelphia 250 years ago. Examine how it reshaped a world of sovereign empires into sovereign states.
Join Independence National Historical Park and its partners, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the Independence Historical Trust, for a deep conversation about the Declaration’s influence on independence movements in Central and South America and Haiti. The panel will be led by Dr. David Armitage, Professor of History at Harvard University and author of the book The Declarations of Independence: A Global History. It will include Dr. Julia Gaffield, Associate Professor of History at William & Mary, and author of the book The Haitian Declaration of Independence: Creation, Context, and Legacy; and Professor Joshua Simon, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University and author of The Ideology of Creole Revolution: Imperialism and Independence in American and Latin American Political Thought.
Free (a $10 donation is suggested), but pre-register, 6 p.m. EST to 7:15 p.m. EST. Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market St. https://wacphila.org/event/a250speakerseries/
Photo by Caroline T. Dartey courtesy of ensembleartsphily.org
Alvin Ailey Leaps Into A New Season
Friday, February 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 1, 2026. Experience the power and precision of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing in a weekend of dynamic dance. The international dance company has elevated modern dance movements with its innovation and artistry. Under the Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, experience its soul-stirring Revelations, mixed with new exciting works by choreographers with a contemporary edge.
The repertory steps off February 27th with Blink of an Eye, A Case of You, Embrace and the company’s signature offering, Revelations.
Individual tickets: $36 to $147; show times vary: 2 p.m. EST or 7 p.m. EST.
Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St. 215-893-1999 or Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater or https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/tickets-and-events/ensemble-arts-philly-presents/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater#e796
(Left to right): Debra Powell-Wright, My Skin is Black, mixed media quilt; Monna Morton, We Are Watching, acrylic on panel; Asake Denise Jones, Miss D, quilt. Courtesy of City Hall Art in City Hall program.
Exhibit Goes Skin Deep
Through Friday, April 24, 2026, enjoy the stories of perseverance in Creative Art Philadelphia’s latest exhibit to honor African Americans, My Skin is Black. The show was launched this month as part of the Art in City Hall program’s Black History Month celebration. Explore mixed-media fiber art by 19 Black female artists. The presentation is an expression of first-person narratives and pays tribute to the preservation of cultural legacy. The exhibit title is inspired by Nina Simone’s 1966 song, Four Women. According to the promotional literature: “The exhibit explores the intersecting burdens of race and gender and acknowledges the still relevant political climate and historical challenges faced by Black women artists.” The show is curated by award-winning poet and artist, Debra Powell-Wright.
Free, weekdays 10 a.m. EST to 4 p.m. EST.
Philadelphia City Hall, Broad and Market streets: Gallery / Room 116 & on the 2nd floor, northeast corner.
215-686-8446 or https://www.creativephl.org/exhibition/my-skin-is-black/
Johnson House Historic Site
Find Gems Of History In Germantown
As Black History Month comes to a close in all corners of the community, Historic Germantown leads the way this month and year-round, with historical accounts of enslaved and emancipated Black individuals, as well as the struggle for abolition, education, faith and equality. These stories, familiar and untold, resonate today, and can be found in Germantown’s many museums and cultural institutions. A visit to these cultural treasure troves is well worth your time:
Johnson House is an intact Underground Railroad stop and a National Historic Landmark. The Quaker-owned home was a safe house for freedom seekers and abolitionist activity. It also is a center for social advocacy today. 6306 Germantown Ave.
Lest We Forget Slavery Museum preserves the legacy of slavery, with a vast collection of authentic slavery artifacts. 5501 Germantown Ave.
The Colored Girls Museum is a140-year-old three-story Victorian Twin home filled with history and pride as the first cultural institution to champion the “ordinary” colored girl of African descent. Unsung people whose ingenuity and labor have generated untold wealth. 4613 Newhall St.
Black Writers Museum celebrates the art of writing and reading through the study of Black Literature. 5800 Germantown Ave.
Historic Fair Hill Burial Ground is the resting place of prominent 19th-century abolitionists, including Lucretia Mott and Robert Purvis. 2901 Germantown Ave.
Germantown Mennonite Meeting House is the site of the 1683 Germantown Quaker and Mennonite Protest against slavery, the first in the American colonies. 6133 Germantown Ave.
Aces Museum focuses on the contributions of Black U.S. military veterans and minority soldiers. 5801 Germantown Ave.
Kids Can Plant A Seed
Friday, February 27, 2026 to Sunday, March 8, 2025. Look through the snowflakes of February and see some sure signs of spring. Bring some flower power into your family’s life by checking out the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest flower show. It is a friendly foreshadowing of warmer days ahead. Explore immersive world-class garden exhibits and hands-on, nature-based activities. Check out Kids Cocoon, where youngsters up to age 18 can dig into interactive tasks and feel the magic of plant life. Cozy up at a reading nook to learn about plants, a brick building table and wall to make your own block creations. Visit a “digging station” to search for (rubber) worms. Proceeds benefit the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s year-round greening efforts.
Free when you buy a Flower Show ticket: 10 a.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST.; only until 5 p.m. EST on March 8th. Individual tickets: $43 (adults); $20 (kids ages 5 to 18), Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1100 Arch St. Email: flowershowtickets@pennhort.org, https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show/experience-the-show/kids-cocoon or phsonline.org/the-flower-show.
Your Journalism Scholarship Donation Will Be Matched
Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Michael I. Days loved taking young journalists under his wing to show them how to ply their trade. He was never too busy to share his time and talent. When the former editor of the Philadelphia Daily News and vice president of the Philadelphia Inquirer died last year, journalism lost a true champion and mentor. From lead to 30, Days was a consummate professional who fought fiercely for diversity in the newsroom and a free press. Recognizing his contributions to the industry, the National Association of Black Journalists, a Philadelphia nonprofit, created a scholarship fund in his name. NABJ Philadelphia has established a $10,000 Challenge Grant for the Michael I. Days Scholarship Fund; your donation will be matched by the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, doubling the impact to help nurture future storytellers. Days was the founding president of NABJ, Philadelphia.
Others in the field will now have a chance to shine in the light of his legacy with your tax-deductible donation: The Michael I. Days Scholarship Fund: bit.ly/mikedaysscholarship.
