The Great Migration: A City Transformed (1916-1930), a series of audio and video works that celebrate the historic tide of African Americans to the North, is now coming to your neighborhood. Hosted by community partners, the screenings will take place throughout the fall at libraries, rec centers and schools across the Philadelphia region.

ABOUT THE FILMS

Eason – dir. Kevin Jerome Everson (Experimental, 2016, 15 min)

Eason is loosely based on the life of James Walker Hood Eason (1886-1923), a leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) of Philadelphia.

Belmont Grove: Reclaiming Coaquannock – dir. Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac (Documentary, 2016, 9:30 min)

This mini history of Belmont Grove explores its role as a sacred place and meeting ground for indigenous cultures. 

Black Star Rising: The Universal Negro Improvement Association in Philadelphia – dir. members of UNIA Thomas Harvey Division 121 (Documentary, 2016, about 10 min)

Following the rise of UNIA in the 20th century, the film shows how recent migrants were attracted by its mission of economic self-improvement. 

Finding Home: The Ruth L. Bennett Story – by current and former residents of Ruth L. Bennett Homes (Chester Housing Authority) (Documentary, 2016, 11 min)

This profile of a historic landmark looks at the role of the Ruth L. Bennett Home for Women and Girl as a safe haven in Chester, PA for newly arrived migrants from the South. 

The Great Migration: A City Transformed (1916-1930) is supported by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Additional support is provided by the Lincoln Financial Foundation, Hamilton Family Foundation, and Department of History of Art, Department of Africana Studies, and Center for Africana Studies, University of Pennsylvania.