The City of Brotha-lly Love & Sistah-lly Affection: The Sound, Sites, and Taste of Philly
PLEASE NOTE: Space for excursions is limited.
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Black Philadelphia Neighborhood Experience
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
Price: $100/person, per location
Capacity: 50
Led by the Preserving Black Presence Cohort, this immersive afternoon excursion invites attendees to explore the rich history, culture, and contemporary landscape of Black Philadelphia. Beginning at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, participants will receive an introduction to the city’s Black heritage before departing on one of four curated neighborhood experiences. Attendees must select one neighborhood track to explore, with each experience featuring historic sites, cultural landmarks, local businesses, community stories, and opportunities to engage directly with neighborhood leaders and preservation advocates.
Each guided experience will highlight the people, places, and stories that have shaped Black Philadelphia across generations. The excursion is designed to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the city’s neighborhoods through a place-based learning experience rooted in
preservation, community engagement, and cultural memory.
Select from curated neighborhood tours highlighting:
• North Philadelphia
• Uptown/Germantown
• West Philadelphia
• South Philadelphia
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Bougie, Boozy, Book Club
Time: 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Price: $100/person, per location
Capacity: 25
Experience Philadelphia through the lens of literature, culture, conversation, and community. The Bougie Boozy Book Club is a curated evening excursion that invites attendees to explore a series of Black-owned bookstores, literary spaces, and cultural destinations throughout the city. Each stop will feature a unique theme designed to spark dialogue, celebrate Black storytelling, and connect participants to Philadelphia’s vibrant literary ecosystem.
Along the way, guests will enjoy thoughtfully selected refreshments and immersive experiences that blend learning, leisure, and connection. The evening culminates with dinner at a local Black-owned restaurant, where attendees can continue the conversation, build new relationships, and toast to the stories, ideas, and communities that continue to shape Black culture and history.
Select bookstores include:
• Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
• Harriett’s Bookshop
• Hakim’s Bookstore
Sunday, August 23, 2026
Sunday Service with Mother Bethel A.M.E.
Time: 9:30 am – 2 pm
Price: $47/person, per location
Capacity: 50
Step into the living history of Black Philadelphia with a powerful experience centered on faith, resilience, and community. Attendees are invited to worship at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, the oldest African Methodist Episcopal congregation in the nation and the spiritual home founded by Richard Allen, one of the most influential figures in African American history.
Following Sunday service, guests will enjoy brunch before embarking on a guided tour of the Richard Allen Museum, where they will explore the history of the A.M.E. Church, the life and legacy of Richard Allen, and the enduring impact of Black institution-building in America.
The experience concludes with a guided exploration of Philadelphia’s historic Seventh Ward, once home to one of the nation’s most vibrant Black communities. Through stories of activism, entrepreneurship, faith, and culture, attendees will discover the people and places that helped shape Black Philadelphia and laid the foundation for generations to come.
This excursion offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich history, enduring legacy, and
living traditions that continue to define Philadelphia’s African American community.