Delayed, Not Deferred:
Preparing for an Even Greater Celebration
The Black Scranton Project’s Black Excellence Gala, originally scheduled for Spring 2026, will now take place in Fall 2026.
This adjustment allows us the time and intention needed to build an even more meaningful celebration of our community and the historic milestones we are marking together.
We remain excited to gather in celebration of Black history, leadership, culture, and excellence in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and we look forward to welcoming our community for this special evening.
The event will still take place at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, and additional details — including the official date announcement — will be shared soon.
In the meantime, sponsorship opportunities, ticket information, and partnership details remain available below.
Thank you for your continued support of the Black Scranton Project and the work of preserving and celebrating Black history in our region.
Black Excellence Gala Volunteer Request
We’ve got mail….FROM THE PRESIDENT!!
Thank you to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, for sending us this incredible acknowledgment of our Inaugural Black Excellence Gala.
An iconic event turned HISTORIC. A truly incredible gift! We are framing this and displaying it in the BSPCAC. A permanent fixture in our archive.
The first of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, our inaugural gala held on April 23rd 2022, at the Historic Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in downtown Scranton was nothing short of unforgettable—a night that is still talked about to this day. The atmosphere radiated joy, pride, and celebration as our community came together in opulence and unity. Guests enjoyed an evening filled with stunning performances, local art, and powerful moments of recognition through our Been Lit Awards. The impact of that night reached far beyond the walls of the event. The press coverage was incredible, and we were honored to receive a congratulatory letter from former President Joe Biden, recognizing our efforts and the work we do in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
As we look ahead, 2026 promises to be all of that—and more. With even bigger plans for the centennial celebration of our historic bank building, the Black Scranton Center for Arts & Culture (BSPCAC), we’re ready to create another breathtaking evening of excellence, culture, and history that will be remembered for years to come.
