We're finishing out Black History Month 2026 with a rich roster of stories, including an update on the President's House Slavery Memorial from Constance Garcia-Barrio, who speaks with local experts and has tips for joining the fight to restore our history. I covered a rally at the site last week, after a judge ordered the exhibition re-installed, but before another judge ordered a halt to the restoration.
We also head to Noah Davis at the PMA (critic Pamela J. Forsythe says it reminds us just how much we lost when the artist died in his early 30s). The Lantern is staging the Philly premiere of Pearl Cleage's Blues for an Alabama Sky, which critic A. Lewis says is a must-see for everyone who's still pursuing a dream. Plantation Black at InterAct closes this weekend. Read our review and get your tix.
We're also heading to a new Tartuffe (who here can think of a rich person in thrall to a greasy, know-it-all religious charlatan?), and a new adaptation of Henry IV parts I and II (mixed success, says critic C.M. Crockford). And we're honoring iconic Philly artist Isaiah Zagar, who passed away last week. Essayist Anndee Hochman takes you to her own backyard for a beautiful remembrance. And in case you missed it, ahead of this week's premiere of Part 2 of the new season of Bridgerton on Netflix, check out An Nichols's response to those who say that a racially diverse upper class is ahistorical.
Black History Month 2026 ends later this week, but the truth is that every month is Black History Month, especially in Philly. With your support, we'll keep covering it year-round.
Alaina Johns
BSR editor-in-chief
