Celebrating Black History Month All Season Long
January 31, 2025All year long, we celebrate Black artists who bring their creativity, passion, and unique talents to the Philadelphia area.
Black History Month
Black History Month is celebrated all around the world, but it started in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson created the first "Negro History Week" through the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). He picked February because it included the birthdays of two important figures in African American history: Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).
As the Civil Rights movement grew in the 1960s, younger members of ASNLH pushed to turn the week-long celebration into a month-long event. In 1976, on the 50th anniversary of Negro History Week, President Gerald Ford officially declared February Black History Month. It became an annual celebration of African American achievements and their important role in American history. Today, Black History Month is one of the oldest organized celebrations in the country.
Celebrating Black Artists
This year, we asked artists contributing to our 2024-25 season both onstage and off to share insight or inspiration about their craft.
Alaman Diadhiou - Performer in MJ The Musical
Emphasize the power that you have to train and improve at any time.
Amber Ruffin - The Wiz
Artists move society forward by showing people what's possible.
Erik Hamilton - Performer in MJ The Musical
Don’t be afraid to show the world who you are.
Judith Jamison - Artistic Dir. Emerita for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2024-25 season celebrates the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, who passed away in November of 2024. A Philadelphia native, true icon, and trailblazer, Jamison carried the legacy of Alvin Ailey with grace and vision, inspiring countless dancers and audiences worldwide.
Dance is bigger than the physical body. Think bigger than that.
Kathryn "K" Allison - & Juliet
The fact I can now be that representation for others is really meaningful for me and not something that I take lightly.
Kim Bears - Bailey - Artistic Director for PHILADANCO!
The arts have given me a second voice and a second language.
K. Bernice - Performer in Come From Away
As long as you stay true to yourself and believe in yourself, you can make it through anything.
Michael Jackson, Jr. - Company Member in Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Remember: it is okay to fail. It’s a part of what makes you better.
Wynton Grant - Musician in Vitamin String Quartet
If you’re going to pursue the performing arts, find inspiring people and performers who can guide you.