Voices of History Scranton

Voices of History Scranton is part of PA Humanities’ statewide Voices of History: Stories from Black Pennsylvanians project, a first-of-its-kind effort to collect and celebrate the stories, family histories, struggles, and triumphs of Black Pennsylvanians in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Scranton’s Black history, though often overlooked, stretches back more than a century and includes early settlers connected to the region’s mining industry, Black-owned businesses, cultural and social institutions, and strong faith communities that anchored local life. Families built neighborhoods, created spaces for shared culture and activism, and contributed to the city’s civic fabric while navigating the realities of segregation, migration, and limited representation.

Through Voices of History Scranton, PA Humanities highlights five personal narratives that reflect this legacy, sharing stories of identity, migration, community, creativity, loss, and resilience. Together, they illuminate a vibrant and enduring Black presence that has shaped Scranton’s past and continues to influence its future.

"Daughters of a Coal Miner" - Norma & Nadine

Project Overview

For Voices of History Scranton, PA Humanities partnered with the Black Scranton Project to bring this work to northeastern Pennsylvania. Together, the team carried out a multi-step process to uplift local stories:

Community Story Circles: Residents gathered to share memories about family, neighborhood life, migration, identity, and community history in Scranton. These circles created a supportive space for reflection and helped identify storytellers whose stories would be preserved on film.
Professional Video Recording: Select participants were recorded on camera, sharing their stories in their own words. Filmed under the creative direction of Morgan Moody and Terrell Robinson, the short films combine oral histories with personal photographs and archival materials contributed by storytellers.
Community Watch Event: In November 2025, family, friends, and community members were invited to a private screening at The Workshop Space in Scranton to premiere the five Voices of History Scranton films. Attendees celebrated the storytellers and engaged in a community conversation about the importance of preserving Black history in Scranton and across Pennsylvania.

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

Residents gather to share personal memories related to family, work, and migration.

Professional Video Recording

Select stories are professionally recorded and enriched with historical photos.

Community Watch Events

Public screenings bring communities together to celebrate and discuss the shared histories.

Digital Archive

Stories will be preserved in an accessible digital repository, ensuring long-term public engagement.

VOICES OF HISTORY

Family and Friends Gather for Premiere of Voices of History Scranton

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.

The Voices of History series is produced by local filmmakers, Morgan Moody, the producer, with creative direction by Terrell M. Robinson Jr.

Black Scranton Project

Black Scranton is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and local heritage initiative dedicated to archiving and celebrating Black history and culture of the Scranton, PA region. The Black Scranton Project aims to uplift the creative and cultural spirit in the Scranton area by supporting community artistic and ethnic representation in an effort to elevate the core of neighborhood culture.

The Black Scranton Project exposes our community to the historic narratives of the African American community of Scranton, PA and cultivates awareness and unity through arts and public history.

Funders