Progress Trust Presents 'Meeting of the Griots' for the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month

Festival-style event honors legacy, modern-day griots, art, music, and storytelling at historic Sullivan Progress Plaza

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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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 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Sullivan Progress Plaza in Philadelphia. 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.

Why it matters

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. With Black residents making up approximately 43% of Philadelphia's population, one of the largest proportions among major U.S. cities, the event is designed as an immersive, community-focused experience.

The details

Attendees will move through a series of exhibits, explore 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, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the Montgomery Collection's Traveling African American Pop-Up Museum, which includes archival artifacts 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.

  • 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.
  • The Meeting of the Griots takes place on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Progress Trust Inc.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to economic development, cultural preservation, and community advancement, founded in 1999 under the umbrella of Sullivan Progress Plaza and continuing the legacy and vision of Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan.

Janice Sykes-Ross

Fund Development Specialist at Progress Trust Inc.

Nile Livingston

CEO of Creative Repute, a Philadelphia-based creative strategy and design firm participating in the program as part of its ongoing work supporting community storytelling and knowledge preservation initiatives.

Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan

The late founder of Sullivan Progress Plaza, recognized as the first shopping center in the United States built, developed, continuously owned, and managed by African Americans.

Creative Repute

A Philadelphia-based creative strategy, web, and design firm specializing in storytelling infrastructure, community engagement, and knowledge preservation.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Janice Sykes-Ross, Fund Development Specialist at Progress Trust Inc.

“Meaningful work deserves systems that preserve knowledge over time. Meeting of the Griots reflects that mission.”

— Nile Livingston, CEO of Creative Repute

What’s next

Plans are underway to expand the Meeting of the Griots initiative beyond this single event, including future exhibitions, residencies, and additional community-based gatherings.

The takeaway

This event celebrates the 100th anniversary of Black History Month by creating a space for intergenerational storytelling, cultural preservation, and community engagement at the historic Sullivan Progress Plaza, a landmark of Black economic leadership and self-determination in Philadelphia.