PA Humanities, in partnership with the Black Scranton Project, presented the premiere of Voices of History Scranton, part of a statewide initiative amplifying the lived experiences of Black Pennsylvanians. On Sunday, November 16, family and friends of storytellers from the project gathered for a private screening of five recorded oral histories, presented as short films at The Workshop Space in Scranton. The event celebrated memories and lived experiences that illuminate the vibrant tapestry of a history often left untold.
At the event in Scranton, emceed by Geanina Riley of PA Humanities, storytellers, including Sonia Morgan and Glynis Johns, spoke about their stories, adding context and expanding on what had been filmed. After the films, there was a discussion with the audience about the importance of storytelling for the Black community in Scranton and across Pennsylvania, as well as hope for the future of the project.
Audience member Anthonei Jay Bradford said, “This is exciting and hopeful. It’s empowering and brings vibrance to other areas of my life.” Another said, “I’m really coming to appreciate how important it is for people to get their stories out.”
Voices of History is a first-of-its-kind statewide effort by PA Humanities to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries. It 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. Inspired by storytelling traditions and the legacy of playwright August Wilson, the project brings to light the voices of everyday people whose lives and contributions have shaped our shared history.
“Voices of History highlights the power of storytelling to preserve history, strengthen communities, and deepen our understanding of Pennsylvania life,” said Dawn Frisby Byers, Senior Director of Content & Engagement at PA Humanities. “By capturing these stories, we are not only honoring the past but also creating a lasting record that will inspire and educate future generations.”
The Scranton installment was created in collaboration with the Black Scranton Project, a nonprofit dedicated to researching, preserving, and celebrating the city’s Black history and culture. Stories were curated and produced under the creative direction of film producer Morgan Moody, building on the successes of the Voices of History projects in Pittsburgh and Erie.
“Partnering with PA Humanities on Voices of History Scranton has been an incredibly fulfilling experience,” said Glynis Johns, Founder and CEO of Black Scranton Project. “Storytelling and connecting people is a true passion of mine, so when the opportunity for BSP to collaborate with PA Humanities arose, it felt kindred. Being Black is not a monolith, and neither is being from Scranton. Our community has a unique way of life, and the experiences of people of color are often overlooked or misunderstood. I hope these stories shine a light and weave a new thread into the rich cultural fabric of Pennsylvania.”
The short films combined powerful personal testimonies with photographs from participants’ own lives. After the screening, family and friends joined the storytellers and filmmakers for an intimate discussion about the project’s themes and its celebration of Scranton’s Black history.
Like the earlier installments in Pittsburgh and Erie, Voices of History Scranton began with community story circles where residents shared memories of family, work, and neighborhood life. Select participants were recorded, with their stories preserved in a digital archive, ensuring that they remain accessible to future generations. The Voices of History Scranton videos will soon appear on PA Humanities’ website, PAHumanities.org/Voices, and their YouTube channel. They were produced by Morgan Moody with creative direction by Terrell Robinson. Voices of History Scranton is made possible by funding provided by 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 Scranton Area Community Foundation.
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