News
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, milestones, and media coverage from
DiasporaDNA Story Center and Save Philly Festivals.
Our newest press release shares exciting updates about our work to preserve Philadelphia's cultural celebrations, strengthen community partnerships, and expand opportunities for residents to experience the city's vibrant festival traditions.
Whether we're launching a new initiative, announcing a major event, celebrating a funding milestone,
or sharing our programs' impact, you'll find our latest news here.
DiasporaDNA Press Releases
2026
2025
Don’t Forget to Check Out Our Blog
December - Save Philly Festivals: Why Philly’s Festivals Need Saving — And How DiasporaDNA Is Stepping In
December: Introducing the DiasporaDNA Rebrand
November - Recap Blog: Philly Festivals Network Kick-Off Event: Recap & Reflections
November: The Enduring Legacy of Doctor Montgomery
October: The People’s Media Bazaar Recap
September: Reflections on Liberation Through Engaged Dialogue: Facilitating the Mütter Museum Town Hall
July - Special Blog: Monica’s Story: MISSION Story Slam Transcript
July: Healing Through Story: Mandela Day Workshop Brings Art, Movement, and History to Philly Youth
May: Edify: Showcasing Tantra Texts - Honoring AAPI Month Through the Archives
May - Guest Blog: Amplify: LeadLab
April: My Why! The need for PhillyFestivals.org
March: Introducing the New Philly Festivals Website and Upcoming Toolkit
February: DiasporaDNA Story Center & The Luster Company Unite for Black History Month Initiative
January: Our First Blog Post!
2025
May - Behind the Scenes: Building a Curriculum With Community
May - Recap Blog: Ancestral Wisdom for a Weary World: Reflection on an Evening of Grief, Memory, and Collective Imagination
May: On Public History
March - Recap Blog: Save Philly Festivals Think Tank Recap
February: Progress Trust, Inc. and DiasporaDNA Story Center Present the “Meeting of the Griots”
2026
Take a Glimpse at Our Past Newsletters
2026
April: Our New HQ! DiasporaDNA @ Cherry Street Pier
February: Celebrating 100 Years of Black History Month!
December: Save Philly Festivals! On #GivingTuesday
July: DiasporaDNA Summer 🌞 Call for Artists 🎨 Workshops ⏳️ Festivals 🎉
June: Juneteenth Art Ventures ❤️🖤💚 Releasing Grief - Reclaiming Power!
May: Summer Sun & Program Fun with DiasporaDNA!
April: Welcome Spring 🌸 It's Festival Time across our Diasporas!
March: DiasporaDNA Celebrating Women's History Month♀️with a Rebel Beat!
February: Happy Black History Month! Uplifting Diaspora Orgs we Admire
January: Honoring Venerable Ancestors! Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
2025
2024
DiasporaDNA in the Press
Evening WURDs
Listen to Monica and others chat with Dr. Peterson about how community groups share their mission and work with the MISSION Story Slam.
Curating Courage & Culture: Monica O. Montgomery on Storytelling and Representation in the Arts
Monica sat down with Anisha Jennings to talk about DiasporaDNA and the role of museums in our society.
MISSION Story Slam: Monica O. Montgomery - The Time is Now
Watch Monica tell her story at MISSION Story Slam!
The Citizen Recommends: MISSION Story Slam
In this edition of The Citizen Recommends, MISSION Story Slam is highlighted along with DiasporaDNA Founder and President, Monica O. Montgomery, who planned to tell her story at the event on June 10th.
Philly Festivals Fueling the Future
Blog post by Monica for AAC.
This episode is part of an ongoing series titled THE FUTURE OF…, where we chat with experts in various sectors to learn about what they are doing to shift the critical now for a radical new future.” Hosted by Dr. Amber Johnson.
Click here for the episode transcript.
Museums x Change: DiasporaDNA Story Center: The Journey to Launch a Modern Mindful Un-Museum
Presented by American Alliance of Museums’ Museums x Change series. Moderated and convened by Avi Decter.
A Germantown museum is honoring the art and activism of formerly incarcerated people
By Nate File for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Job Hop or Career Climb: Let’s stop demonizing non-linear career paths
By Monica O. Montgomery for Museum Next Op Ed
The Mütter’s Museum held a town hall to discuss their use of human remains. Things got tense.
By Rosa Cartagena & Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer
Social Justice curator Monica Montgomery has big dreams
Smithsonian Torch
Building Philly’s Future Through Festivals: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Connection
Blog post about the Philly Festivals Network: Planning Session by Harry Hayman.
Philly's nonprofit storytellers take the mic
By Isaac Avilucea for Axios Philadelphia.
World Heritage Month: Global Philadelphia
The month is a collaborative celebration, presented in partnership with valued community organizations, the Office of the City Representative, and GPA-hosted events.
Listen to Patterns of Our Diasporas
