The Black Journey: African-American History Walking Tour

Updates

Posted on Jan 3, 2021

The Black Journey: Black History Walking Tour of Philadelphia lecture for History Before US and Sankofa TravelHer Summer 2020. Click below on "learn more" to watch the video.

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Posted on Oct 6, 2020

I hope you will join us on Wednesday, October 7 at 1:00pm ET for a Virtual Lunch Lecture hosted by the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum. Raina Yancey, lawyer and owner of "The Black Journey: African-American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia" will be presenting on "The History o...

Posted on Jun 19, 2020

Today the Black Journey celebrates Juneteenth National Freedom Day! Juneteenth is the oldest African-American holiday observance in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops under the command of Major General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas, the end of the Civil War and issu...

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Posted on Jun 19, 2020

Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Philadelphia area, we are suspending all in person tours for the foreseeable future.

Please check back to see updates on when we will open. We miss you all!

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Posted on Mar 17, 2020

Unfortunately due to the continuing public health crisis cause by COVID-19 and to be in compliance with Pennsylvania Governor Wolf's March 16, 2020 directive regarding non-essential business operations, The Black Journey has canceled all tours for the rest of March 2020. However we invite you to ...

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The Black Journey President's Day tour February 17, 2020

Feb 17, 2020 – Feb 17, 2020

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Enjoy 10% off all Black Journey merchandise this weekend!

Feb 14, 2020 – Feb 17, 2020

The Black Journey merchandise is on sale this weekend! Enjoy 10% off all merchandise!

Enter promocode LOVESICK at checkout for 10% off all orders.
The code will expire at midnight (PT) on February 17th

Show this code at the store: LOVESICK

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Posted on Feb 13, 2020

More great news for @theblackjourney! We received a shout out for contributing research to this article! Click "Learn More" to read the article.

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Posted on Feb 9, 2020

The Black Journey was featured on PHL17 News InFocus with Jennifer Lewis-Hall on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 6:30 AM and Sunday, February 9, 2020 1 PM.

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Testimonials

2 weeks ago

We were looking for a virtual group activity for our team. The Black Journey was offering virtual tours! What an incredible hour we had. Raina brought the Black history of Philadelphia to life. Sharing portraits of people, stories, landmarks all across Philly without leaving our desks! It felt like we were walking through the city together. This isn't your typical tour, this is an honest truth about The Black Journey. Although there is heartbreaking and difficult material to hear, this tour is family friendly. In fact one of the attendees said "this should be presented in every public school in Philadelphia". Raina certainly has a gift for sharing hard stories and history of slavery as well as bringing light to some celebratory moments and featuring accomplished Black figures in our history. We 100% recommend and can't wait to do another tour. Maybe the next one will be in person, fingers crossed!

- Philly H

a year ago

The Black Journey walking tour was expertly researched and delivered! I loved all of the small details that are major thinking points when considering our "founding fathers." It is an excellent counterpoint to the stories (embellishments and falsities) that we were taught. All of the stops focused on the resiliency of the enslaved and didn't gloss over how human beings were purchased and used as property.

- lindsey s

a year ago

Raina was an excellent tour guide. This is a labor of love for her, & it shows through the extensive research she’s done to create the experience. The tour is the perfect amount of time (1.5 hours) & walking (1.5 miles) & gives what Raina calls (& I agree) a “nuanced” perspective of the USA’s contradictory history. I would recommend this experience to anyone traveling to Philly. There were also a lot of Philly natives on my tour!

- Tara A

Tour Description

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Meet your guide (holding "The Black Journey" sign) in front of the Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Street, Philadelphia.

Every Saturday during the summer at 2:00pm. RSVP in advance required.

Call 267.702.3479 for more information.

Beyond comparison the most exciting and fact filled 75 minute adventure offered in Philly. Learn about the history of Black Philadelphia while soaking in the fullest array of our nation's most important and historical monuments and sights. With a focus on the city's early history, Black Philadelphia Walking Tour will bring to light every detail of Philly's Black past.

Hear about Black American’s role in the history of the nation's foundation. Take a journey to Congo Square, visit the unmarked graves of free and enslaved victims of the yellow fever epidemic, learn about the Quaker school where both Black and White students were educated together and other locations you will visit first hand. See where the Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1793.

Hear about Martha Washington’s enslaved handmaiden who emancipated herself and others who traveled along the underground railroad. Learn about the Old London Coffee Shop where humans were inspected and sold into slavery. Walk in the footsteps of enslaved people, abolitionists, slaveholders and founding fathers. Hear about prominent early African-Americans.

Beyond question the most in-depth, authentic, and entertaining tour offered on the eastern sea board! A must see in Philadelphia.

Tour includes the following on-site location visits: Independence Hall, The President’s House, Congress Hall, Old City Hall, First U.S. Supreme Court Building, American Philosophical Society Museum, Independence Square, Washington Square, Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, Bicentennial Moon Tree, the former location the Philadelphia Prison Site & the oldest continuous piece of land owned by people of African descent.

All are welcome! Perfect for families! Perfect for solo travelers! Perfect for couples! Please wear comfortable sturdy shoes, we will be walking on cobblestoned streets. Please be aware that you need to be reasonably fit for the walk, and are responsible for your own safety. Taking part in the tour means you are participating at your own risk. You are also responsible for looking after your own belongings.

Bookings for private tours, wedding parties, conferences, family reunions, summer camps, and large and small groups available.

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