PHILADELPHIA, February 19, 2025 – Creative Philadelphia and the Sadie T.M. Alexander Statue Selection Committee (Selection Committee) is pleased to announce that five finalists have been selected to create and propose designs for a statue celebrating Sadie T.M. Alexander, an African American civil rights activist and native Philadelphian who broke barriers in academia and law and fought to protect the civil rights of Black Americans.
“Honoring Sadie T.M. Alexander through public art has been a priority of mine since my colleagues and I introduced the idea through a City Council resolution,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “The statue will inspire generations of Philadelphians to become leaders and advocates in their communities—especially young Black women who see themselves in her image.”
The five finalists chosen by the Selection Committee were among 42 applicants who responded to the Call for Artists, which opened on November 18, 2024, and closed on December 30, 2024. The finalists, selected based on their qualifications, prior artwork, and responses to application questions, will move on to part two of the competition, which entails creating design proposals for the statue.
“I was mightily impressed both with the talent and spirit of the applicants for the Sadie Alexander statue project,” said Karen Warrington, Committee Member, Sadie Alexander Statue Selection Committee. “I am excited that this well-deserved art and history project is moving forward.”
The finalists’ proposed statue designs will be informed by public input received during the November 7, 2024, public meeting led by Creative Philadelphia and the public survey distributed from November 8 through 14, 2024, with over 150 respondents who weighed in on the statue goals and what will resonate most with Philadelphians. The public will also have an opportunity to attend a future meeting where they will meet the finalists, see presentations of their proposed statue designs, and provide feedback. The public’s feedback will be one of several factors that will inform the Committee’s selection of the winning artist and design.
The winning design proposal will become a permanent statue installed at Thomas Paine Plaza near the Municipal Services Building and will become the City’s second installed public art statue of a historic African American female figure.
“I am thrilled that a statue of Sadie Alexander, who was herself a municipal public servant, will one day stand near the Municipal Services Building,” said Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer and Executive Director Creative Philadelphia. “Her presence will be a symbol of inspiration for City workers, residents, and visitors alike.”
Learn about the finalists and their artwork:
Vinnie Bagwell
Tanda Francis
Rayvenn Shaleigha D’Clark
Alvin Pettit
David Wilson, Stephen Hayes, Acori Honzo (Team WILSON + HAYES + HONZO)
More information about the commissioning process for Philadelphia’s permanent Sadie T.M. Alexander statue and the Sadie T.M. Alexander Statue Selection Committee is available on Creative Philadelphia’s website.
About Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander
Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, born on January 2, 1898, in Philadelphia, was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in Economics in the United States (1921) and the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School (1927). A trailblazer in civil rights, she was a founding member of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations and was also the First Black woman to serve as Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia. Mrs. Alexander also was the first National President of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, served on President Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights, and was a founding member of the National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
About Creative Philadelphia
Creative Philadelphia (formerly the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy) provides creative and economic opportunities for all Philadelphians to thrive through the arts. We advance public access to arts and culture, collaborate with local creative communities, and celebrate the city’s cultural assets, contributing to a safer, cleaner, and greener city. For more information, visit CreativePHL.org and follow @CreativePHL on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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