BLACK HISTORY
IN THE MAKING

We’ve got some BIG news to share, friends.

Soul Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a contract from The Leon H. Sullivan Charitable Trust to offer a summer multimedia intensive program titled R.A.I.S.E., based on The Sullivan Principles. Using group discussions on Rev. Sullivan’s activism, music theory and production, members of our initial cohort will be crafting original compositions that will become a permanent part of the Trust’s archives.

This is a groundbreaking opportunity to provide Philly-forward, arts-centered programming, for and at the Trust’s headquarters on North Broad Street, along a corridor that has been designated as Rev. Sullivan Way. Located between OIC Philadelphia and Progress Plaza, the history of how these institutions came to be and the good works they do in the community do not get enough shine. Our program will introduce this legacy to a younger generation and partner the youth with adult mentors connected to the living history that the institutions represent.

Stay tuned for more information on when registration opens and how you can support this needed work.

You may remember that, back in 2018, Soul Sanctuary curated its first-ever exhibit titled PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY, highlighting the work of the late Maurice Sorrell to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of his passing. Sorrell had an impressive 32-year career with Johnson Publications [JET & EBONY Magazines], and was the first Black person to be credentialed in the White House Photographers Corps. Slought, which housed the exhibit’s premiere, also included Sorrell’s work in their permanent Social Justice hub installation, alongside that of acclaimed Baltimore photojournalist Devin Allen.

In 2024, we are thrilled to announce that William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia will host an installation of PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY for Black History Month. This effort will also include curatorial input from students, a collection of student photo submissions, and become part of a cross-curricular partnership with the Upper School’s photography and American Studies departments.

See below for images from VibeMistress Stephanie Renée’s visits and workshops, and take a look at how Penn Charter added their own curatorial touches to this installation. Many thanks to Inaya Edwards, the Black Student Union co-President, and all of the school faculty and staff involved in making this experience successful! Next up is our Thursday April 11 dinner discussion at Swarthmore College. See the above flyer for details. RSVP by clicking here.

We are also pleased to report that, following the success of the first-ever SICK WIT IT Health & Wellness Symposium, we have launched a new website to better support our work in this ongoing commitment to improve wellness outcomes for Philadelphia’s creative community.

Please visit SickWitIt.net to learn more about the team that will be carrying this mission forward, see and hear clips from our first event, and to connect with the care providers who have joined us in this effort for a healthy and whole Philadelphia.