WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL ROBESON
West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance/Paul Robeson House & Museum Mourns the Death of Harry Belafonte, 1927-2023
The West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (WPCA)/Paul Robeson House & Museum is extremely saddened to learn of the passing today of Harry Belafonte. In addition to being a wonderful singer and actor, he was also an activist and humanitarian who has left an indelible mark on all who came to know him.
We are grateful that Mr. Belafonte co-chaired our 125th Birthday Celebration for Paul Robeson just two weeks ago. While he was unable to physically attend the event, his daughter Gina Belafonte attended as our keynote speaker. She shared such fond memories of the close relationship between her father and Robeson, and the impact Robeson had on Mr. Belafonte’s career, as well as how they both used their public platforms for social-justice causes.
We will forever remember Mr. Belafonte as a national treasure and icon. We hope that his legacy continues to live on through his children and the many others who have followed in his footsteps.
“Our 125th birthday celebration not only honored Paul Robeson, but we also paid tribute to Harry Belafonte,” said Janice Sykes-Ross, executive director of the WPCA. “Gina embodied the spirit of her father and Sankofa.org, the organization they formed together to fight for social justice. We are so very happy that we were able to honor him through her. Today, we embrace Gina and the Belafonte family with love and open arms in this most difficult period.”
We are excited to have an array of exciting guests to help us celebrate Paul Robeson’s 125th anniversary. The fabulous Sweet Honey in the Rock is our musical headliner. Gina Belafonte, president of Sankofa.org, a social-justice organization founded by her father Harry Belafonte, is our guest speaker.
Harry Belafonte is our Honorary Chair, and Danny Glover is our Honorary Co-Chair. They are joining us in spirit.
Click on each event below to buy tickets.
You can also donate to our whimsical Coin Campaign. See details below.
Check out our special guests and events for April 8-15, 2023. Included will be pre-recorded performances by two male choirs from Wales with a connection to Paul Robeson.
Here’s your chance to support one of the most important figures of the 20th century in America and the work that is carried on in his name at the Paul Robeson House & Museum.
BECOME A SPONSOR
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
SIGNATURE/PIONEER
CHAMPION OF PEACE
BONNIE WEISS
FORERUNNER
WALNUT HILL
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
UBUNTU CULTURALPAVILION
IRA & SANDRA HARKAVY
STEPHEN COHEN
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN PHILADELPHIA
GIVING CIRCLE
VERNOCA L. MICHAEL
GAIL E. SCHRODER
MR. ROBE-SON
VINCENT LLOYD
DR. & MRS. WILLIAM U. HARRIS
EMILY SILVER
SERGE JEAN
GLOBAL PHILADELPHIA
ASSOCIATION
INTERVIEW WITH GINA BELAFONTE
INTERVIEW WITH FREDRIKA NEWTON
Street-Naming Ceremony
& Block Party
Friday morning, April 14, 2023
Unveiling of Stained Glass Door Friday morning, April 14, 2023
A pattern created by artist Ramsess of Los Angeles for the Paul Robeson stained-glass window for the front door of the Paul Robeson House & Museum. Photo by Asake-Denise Jones.
We will unveil a stained-glass-door image of Paul Robeson created by Los Angeles artist Ramsess, who is an avid admirer of this great man. This is a free community event. Ramsess was one of two illustrators of the book “Paul Robeson for Beginners,” published in 2013. He has created stained-glass artworks and quilts with images of Robeson. Ramsess has donated a quilt to the Paul Robeson House & Museum.
Participate in our whimsical fundraising COIN CAMPAIGN. Our goal is $5,000. You can donate the equivalence of:
125 nickels ($6.25)
125 dimes ($12.50)
125 quarters ($31.25)
125 dollars ($125)
Other – Donate what you wish
DONATE HERE
STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
Sponsored by Walnut Hill Community Association
