WURD Radio presents Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places, a four-part storytelling series produced and presented by Solomon Jones. In this first episode, Solomon visits the Henry Ossawa Tanner House in Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion neighborhood to explore the legacy of one of America's greatest artists. Many people recognize The Banjo Lesson, Tanner’s iconic painting of an elder lovingly teaching a young child to play — but fewer know the remarkable story of the artist who created it, or the extraordinary family and community that shaped his life.

Discover a family rooted in faith, freedom, education, and service — from Tanner’s mother, who escaped slavery as a child, to a household that became a center of Black intellectual life in Philadelphia. The episode also highlights the work of the Friends of the Tanner House, whose efforts to preserve this historic home ensure that Tanner’s legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Featured in this episode:

• Christopher Rogers — Co-coordinator of the Friends of the Tanner House

• Leah Stevenson — Kenneth R. Woodcock Curator of Historical American Art at PAFA

• Lonnie Coleman — Advisory Board Member of the Friends of the Tanner House

Freedom Journeys: Sacred Places is made possible in part through the generous support of our Community Impact Sponsor, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia.

👍 Like, Share, Comment 💬 to join the conversation, and stay tuned for more stories from the sacred places of Black Philadelphia!

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#WURDRadio #BlackTalkMedia #FreedomJourneys #SacredPlaces #250Phenomenal #HenryOssawaTanner #TheBanjoLesson #StrawberryMansion #BlackHistory #Philadelphia #BlackArt #PreservationAlliance

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Learn more about Freedom Journeys

• https://wurdradio.com/freedomjourneyspodcast/

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Community Partners:

• Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia (Community Impact Sponsor)

• Brewerytown Sharswood Neighborhood Coalition

• Poquessing Trail of History / Byberry Friends Meeting

• Society for the Preservation of Philadelphia African American Assets

• The Fund for Sacred Places

Freedom Journeys is made possible through the support of the Office of Senator Vincent Hughes; State Representative Jordan A. Harris; the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development; the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial; Comcast; PECO; the Philadelphia Parking Authority; Independence Blue Cross; and the Office of Philadelphia City Councilmember Cindy Bass.