by Denise Ripley
On March 10, 2022, Mayor Jim Kenney and the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy (OACCE) hosted Philadelphia’s celebration of the 200th birthday of Harriet Tubman. Tubman’s legacy began 200 years ago in 1822 when she was born into slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland.
This celebration was the zenith event in OACCE’s Celebration of Harriet Tubman programs which started in January and will run through March 31, 2022. It was an amazing event. People from all cultures came together to celebrate the accomplishments of her heroic legacy. It began with official recognition of the historic significance and impact of Harriet Tubman.
There was a live spiritual performance by the Villanova University Gospel Ensemble led by Naomi Washington Leapheart, Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement, and a live performance of Oh Freedom by The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Assistant Principal Cello Yumi Kendall.
The energy in the building was empowering as Harriet Tubman’s spirit was brought to life with the remarks by Harriet Tubman, living history interpreter, Millicent Sparks. Descendants of Harriet Tubman were also on hand to witness this great tribute being recorded in history.
Attendees were given the opportunity to meet and network with featured artists in the exhibition and partner cultural organizations of the celebration of Harriet Tubman.
The guests were treated to a tour of the exhibition “Dreams of Freedom: The Threads That Hold Us Together” on display at City Hall which extends from the 2nd floor to the 4th floor in City Hall. The exhibit will be on display until March 31, 2022. It is an amazing experience for the whole family you don’t want to miss.
