Kickoff of PHILLY 250: The (In)Visible Architects of Freedom, supported by The Fund and partners

On Saturday, November 15, The Fund’s President & CEO Kathryn Epps joined Debora Carrera, Ed.D., Chief Education Officer for the City of Philadelphia, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony B. Watlington, Sr., Dr. Nyshawana Francis-Thompson and Lashaunda Robinson from the district’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction, Academy At Palumbo students Leila Salama and Angel Okeke, and a host of students, families, educators and community members at the National Constitution Center to kickoff of PHILLY 250: The (In)Visible Architects of Freedom.

The (In)Visible Architects of Freedom initiative is a commitment to inclusive storytelling, designed to commemorate Philadelphia’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding while decisively centering the contributions of African Americans and other historically marginalized communities. It is grounded in a robust set of projects developed by the district’s Social Studies Department, designed for students, educators, and families. It includes:

1. Hands-on, inquiry-driven learning that moves beyond textbooks, including resources for engaging 3,000+ students in project-based learning and supporting 1,000+ students in field trips, bringing the hidden narratives of the City of Philadelphia to life. Students will be leading this work in creating the Freedom Mosaics – their own capstone showcasing their and their peers learning over the course of the next year;
2. Training 100+ educators in culturally responsive instruction and providing all district educators with 60 new multimodal resources. The district is aiming for 90% of participating educators to report increased confidence in teaching Black history by the end of the project; and
3. Because history is not meant to stay within the classroom walls, the district will be hosting at least 12 community-based events, aiming for 1,000+ families to participate in free, intergenerational civic learning experiences, with dedicated support for transportation and materials.

The Fund’s decision to support this work by helping the district secure a significant grant from the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial was driven by its strategic importance and the opportunity to achieve three critical outcomes:

1. Strengthened collaboration with 12 cultural partners;
2. Expanded participation for both students and families; and
3. The culmination of this immense effort: Freedom Mosaics Showcase of Learning in December 2026.

The Fund believes deeply in the project’s alignment with the Philly250 Collaborative’s vision: honoring Philadelphia’s legacy, celebrating its diversity, and most importantly, inspiring the next generation of civic and community leaders. We are proud to be a partner.