In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America

Join us at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church on Thursday, June 18 from 6:00–8:00 PM for a special screening from In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America, the landmark documentary series exploring the people, movements, and defining moments that shaped both Philadelphia and the nation. Set within the historic walls of the nation’s first African Methodist Episcopal church, this evening invites audiences to reflect on the enduring fight for freedom, equity, and civic power.

Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a powerful conversation featuring Tayyib Smith, Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, and Marcus Hunter. Together, they will explore how the themes raised in the film continue to shape conversations around history, cultural preservation, reparative justice, and the future of Black Philadelphia.

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Episode 4 Overview: Common Ground (1790–1838)

Episode 4 of In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America examines Philadelphia as the young nation’s capital, where the ideals of self-government are tested in everyday life. As political divisions deepen and crises like the Yellow Fever epidemic strain the city, free Black Philadelphians build institutions and assert their rights, with leaders like Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and James Forten shaping a growing movement for equality and reform.

The episode then follows the rise of abolitionism and public education, as Black and white reformers work together to expand opportunity and challenge injustice. Yet these efforts provoke fierce resistance, culminating in mob violence, the destruction of Pennsylvania Hall, and the stripping of Black men’s voting rights.

In a city striving to create shared civic space, this program asks a central question: how can common ground be sustained when democracy itself remains unequal?