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Voices of History Erie
Voices of History Erie is part of PA Humanities’ Voices of History: Stories from Black Pennsylvanians project, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Erie, Pennsylvania, named after its Indigenous population, is located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania. This city played a significant role in the War of 1812 and was a key hub for shipbuilding and transportation. During the Great Migration, it became home to a resilient and vibrant African American community. Many sought better economic opportunities and escape from racial segregation in the South.
Today, Erie is known for its beautiful waterfront, a rich industrial history, and historic neighborhoods. The eight stories collected from Erie honored the city’s roots and explored themes of migration, religious calling, and community care. These narratives speak to a legacy of pride, perseverance, and ongoing transformation.
Voices of History Stories
Project Overview
Voices of History launched in May 2024 with a special event featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson (Caste, The Warmth of Other Suns) at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh. Since then, it’s traveled to Scranton with The Black Scranton Project, and now it is in Erie, PA with Erie’s Black Wall Street. Inspired by the storytelling traditions of legendary playwrights like August Wilson, the initiative follows a structured process:
- Community Story Circles: Residents gathered to share personal memories related to family, work, and migration at story circles at the Historical Institute of Culture & the African American Experience (HICAAE)
- Professional Video Recording: Over the summer, select stories were professionally recorded and enriched with historical photos generously shared by participants and The Hagen Center Archives.
- Community Watch Events: This spring, May 14, 2026, PA Humanities co-hosted a public screening at the Erie Art Museum, with special guests, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dr. Edda Fields-Black (COMBEE) and Dr. Rhonda Matthews of Erie Black Wall Street, to bring communities together to celebrate and discuss the shared histories!
Do you have a story to share?
PA Humanities is looking for stories in the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of The Hill, Garfield / East Liberty, and Homewood-Brushton / Wilkinsburg!
Share with us about a special memory, personal experience, or a cherished keepsake that captures the spirit of your family’s journey.
Inspired by the storytelling traditions of legendary playwrights like August Wilson, Voices of History follows a structured process:
Community Story Circles
Community Story Circles
Residents gather to share personal memories related to family, work, and migration.
Professional Video Recording
Professional Video Recording
Select stories are professionally recorded and enriched with historical photos.
Community Watch Events
Community Watch Events
Public screenings bring communities together to celebrate and discuss the shared histories.
Digital Archive
Digital Archive
Stories will be preserved in an accessible digital repository, ensuring long-term public engagement.
Partners
The Voices of History series is produced by Pennsylvania filmmakers, Morgan Moody, the producer, with creative direction by Terrell Robinson.
Erie's Black Wall Street
Erie’s Black Wall Street (EBWS) serves as a vehicle for change and empowerment of Erie’s Black Community through meaningful relationships, education, social networks, and the promotion of Black entrepreneurship and homeownership. Erie’s Black Wall Street served as the community representative and core Community Partner for Voices Erie. They collaborated with PA Humanities on marketing and outreach, best practices for engaging the community, generously hosting the story circles with HICAAE, filming, and overall on-the-ground facilitation. Their presence in Erie and existing relationship with PA Humanities created an accessible and successful launch for Voices of History.
Funders
Voices of History Erie is made possible by funding provided by Erie Insurance, Thomas B. Hagen, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Education Job Training and Education Programs Grant, and the Erie Community Foundation.
Share Your Voices of History Photos on Instagram
Use #VoicesOfHistory to share your photos!