Join us to explore the state and future of Philadelphia during America’s Semi-Quincentennial – our opening celebration is May 20th, 5:30pm-7:30pm

A space to learn, connect, and act on co-created solutions

As we approach America’s Semi-Quincentennial and national attention turns toward Philadelphia, partners from across the city are creating a welcoming space for residents, organizers, practitioners, advocates, and more to come together to learn, connect, and take co-created actions.

We invite everyone to join us for a citywide exhibit and engagement series to take a critical and honest look at key issues shaping Philadelphia today, to envision a more just and equitable future for our city, and to act on solutions that address our greatest challenges.

Join us for our opening celebration (food, music, community, and more!) on May 20th from 5:30PM-7:30PM!

World’s Columbian Exposition, 1893

The People’s Exposition draws inspiration from the legacy of those who came before us who challenged the status quo and put forth legitimate solutions to address the systemic racism, economic disparities, and social inequities of our nation. During the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, an international event that celebrated the 400-year anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in the “new world,” Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass countered the narratives being told about the State of America by publishing a pamphlet and displaying an exhibit that explored several critical issues Black American’s faced.

Often remembered for its architectural achievements rather than its reinforcement of racial hierarchies and the systemic exclusion of the experiences and contributions of Black Americans, the World’s Fair holds significant parallels to Philly and the Nation’s celebration of America’s semi-quincentennial. As national attention turns toward Philly, we’re using the opportunity to create a welcoming space to have critical and honest conversations about 4 key topics while also highlighting community-driven solutions, resilience, and hope already shaping our communities.

Engagement Series

During each month, partners and residents from across the city will come together to explore a topic through workshops, events, and conversations with neighbors, beginning in June with justice reform, followed by community food systems and transportation, housing, youth and education, and concluding in October exploring the intersection and action around all topics.

June: Justice Reform

In June, we’ll explore the scale of the justice system, the status of violence, mass incarceration, and the carceral state, through workshops about the school-to-prison pipeline and our city’s education system; expungements, exoneration, and current second chance state legislation; through art and data visualization; and through reimagining the system.

July: Community Food Systems & Transportation

In July, we’ll explore land access, the city’s food systems, and transportation by assessing who controls land, food, and access, and how we can collectively shape a more equitable and just food and transit system in Philadelphia.

August: Housing

In August, we’ll be building off recent housing wins in the City and the momentum of a 14-part workshop series at the Kensington Engagement Center in the fall of 2025, partners are coming together to evaluate our current housing fights across the city, to dive deeper into the topic of homelessness, and to take action on priorities identified by young people during a Teen Town Hall in the fall, including advocating for the adoption of the McKinney-Vento Act to strengthen education protections for youth experiencing homelessness.

September: Youth & Education

In September, through a series of teen town halls and convenings, we’ll explore the state of Philly’s youth and education, touching on topics youth and other youth serving organizations identify as priorities.