A festival-style Black History Month event honoring legacy, modern-day griots, art, music, and storytelling at historic Sullivan Progress Plaza.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, February 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Progress Trust Inc. is hosting Meeting of the Griots, a free, festival-style Black History Month program, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm at Sullivan Progress Plaza, 1501 North Broad Street, Philadelphia.
Black History Month was federally recognized in 1976, marking 50 years of national recognition and 100 years since the founding of Negro History Week in 1926. As the nation observes the centennial of Black History Month, Meeting of the Griots contributes to broader efforts to preserve cultural memory and strengthen civic participation by creating space for intergenerational learning and dialogue. The event brings together elders, youth, artists, scholars, community leaders, and families for a gathering centered on storytelling, cultural memory, modern-day leadership, and the continued development of a community storytelling infrastructure that preserves knowledge and shared experience across generations. The program honors the griot tradition, storytellers who preserve history, transmit knowledge, and guide communities, while demonstrating how that role continues today through living voices, active community engagement, and modern storytelling infrastructure that ensures knowledge remains accessible over time.
With Black residents making up approximately 43% of Philadelphia’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, one of the largest proportions among major U.S. cities, Meeting of the Griots is designed as an immersive, community-focused experience. Attendees will move through a series of exhibits, exploring community resource tables, and participate in interactive programming throughout the afternoon. The event will also feature musical presentations, African drumming, and a family-friendly art experience.
As a featured highlight of the program, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the Montgomery Collection’s Traveling African American Pop-Up Museum, which includes archival artifacts such as vintage photographs, letters, album covers, and historical materials that document African American life and legacy.
Throughout the program, a series of featured griots, including community leaders, cultural practitioners, and subject-matter experts, will share reflections on health, education, film, music, arts, Black business, community outreach, and Black history. Each presenter will offer a 15-20-minute presentation, followed by a moderated Q&A session in Salon B, creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection.
“This event is about honoring where we’ve come from while recognizing that history is still being written every day,” said Janice Sykes-Ross, Fund Development Specialist at Progress Trust Inc. “Meeting of the Griots invites people to engage with the past, understand the present, and see themselves as part of what comes next. It is boots-on-the-ground, community-centered, and deeply intentional.”
The Meeting of the Griots takes place at Sullivan Progress Plaza, a site of national significance. Founded in 1968 by the late Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, the plaza is recognized as the first shopping center in the United States built, developed, continuously owned, and managed by African Americans. The location serves not only as the venue for the event but as a living example of Black economic leadership, self-determination, and long-term community investment.
“We are honoring the extraordinary legacy of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan by continuing the work he began, creating spaces where culture, commerce, and community intersect,” Sykes-Ross added. “This gathering reflects that vision and helps introduce what’s next for the Sullivan Progress Plaza and its evolving role as a community anchor.”
This event offers an innovative, archival-based approach to cultural education. Through pop-up exhibitions and storytelling experiences, individuals and families are encouraged to explore history, genealogy, and collective memory in accessible, participatory ways.
“Meaningful work deserves systems that preserve knowledge over time,” said Nile Livingston, CEO of Creative Repute. “Meeting of the Griots reflects that mission.”
Creative Repute, a Philadelphia-based creative strategy and design firm, is participating in the program as part of its ongoing work supporting community storytelling and knowledge preservation initiatives. Founder and CEO, Nile Livingston, will join the lineup of featured griots, sharing insights on how modern storytelling infrastructure helps communities document lived experience, strengthen public engagement, and sustain institutional knowledge over time.
Through its work with cultural organizations, nonprofits, and community institutions, Creative Repute helps design the narrative systems, communication frameworks, and digital platforms that allow community knowledge to remain accessible across generations. The firm’s participation reflects a broader commitment to strengthening community voice, public memory, and long-term cultural sustainability through strategic creative partnership.
The event also aligns with broader citywide and national efforts to highlight history, culture, and civic participation during milestone commemorations, including the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. By centering local voices and lived experience, Meeting of the Griots contributes to broader efforts to preserve cultural memory and strengthen civic participation by building storytelling infrastructure that supports intergenerational learning, community dialogue, and long-term knowledge preservation.
While the event is free and open to the public, registration is required. Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with optional paid ticket tiers to support the program and future initiatives. Refunds are available up to seven days prior to the event.
Progress Trust Inc. views the Meeting of the Griots as the foundation for ongoing programming, partnerships, and educational opportunities. Plans are underway to expand the initiative beyond this single event, including future exhibitions, residencies, and additional community-based gatherings.
Event Details
Event: Meeting of the Griots
Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm EST
Location: Sullivan Progress Plaza, 1501 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Admission: Free
Registration required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meeting-of-the-griots-tickets-1981382238613
For more information and to register, visit the Eventbrite event page.
About Progress Trust Inc.
Progress Trust Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development, cultural preservation, and community advancement. Founded in 1999 under the umbrella of Sullivan Progress Plaza, the organization continues the legacy and vision of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan by supporting initiatives that strengthen community, commerce, and opportunity.
About Creative Repute
Creative Repute is a Philadelphia-based creative strategy, web, and design firm specializing in storytelling infrastructure, community engagement, and knowledge preservation. Led by Founder and CEO Nile Livingston, the firm partners with cultural institutions, nonprofits, and community organizations to design narrative frameworks, communication systems, and digital platforms that help preserve community knowledge, strengthen public trust, and support long-term impact. Its work focuses on transforming community initiatives into sustainable systems of engagement and shared learning.
Media Contact
Kristina Hernandez
Creative Repute
Email: info@creativerepute.com
Nile Livingston
Creative Repute, Inc.
+1 215-690-1185
info@creativerepute.com
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The Infrastructure Most Communities and Organizations Overlook: Storytelling
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