A Dream Deferred (ADD) is a multi-experiential and multidisciplinary project exploring how historic systemic policies and practices play out in the nation’s poorest large city. Winner of the 2017 Knight Cities Challenge, A Dream Deferred aims to engage people from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to provide a comprehensive and relatable narrative of how historic practices such as redlining affects the contemporary and future landscape of Philadelphia.
While there is extensive academic research on the subject of redlining, many do not know the ways in which complicated and prejudicial laws and social policies impact their lives even today.
A Dream Deferred says it with purpose: to engage, inform and inspire a fairer way forward.
A Dream Deferred was made public through an exhibition that ran from September – November 2018 and through a series of panel discussions titled “Breaking the Myth of Meritocracy.” The multifaceted exhibition was comprised of the following components:
Interactive Touchscreens
The Interactive Touchscreens were available for users to view data of Philadelphia on a map, historical documents & photos, major events in city history and terminology, to gain context and a greater understanding of how certain neighborhoods have changed over the course of two centuries.
Documentary
The Documentary focused on themes of displacement and confinement and includes interviews with citizens and elected officials who have fought against and/or suffered from the discriminatory practice of redlining.
Visual Art
Informed by historical information, archival images, and mapping data, a visual art installation presented ‘real’ and reimagined narratives of the people and places impacted by redlining
Reading Room
Building off of the extensive research contributing to the exhibition, a reading area was assembled in order to promote learning through written literature.
Pop-up Cafe
Refreshments and food for the exhibition were provided by Cà Phê Roasters and Darnel’s Cafes. Cà Phê Roasters, founded by Abraham Kwon, Raymond John, and Thu Pham, is the first and only Vietnamese coffee roastery operating in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Darnel’s Cakes, founded by caterer, baker and personal chef, Kyle Cuffie-Scott, specializes in fresh cupcakes and cakes, brownies, cookies, savory sandwiches, and salads. Turning his passion to purpose, the chef honors his late cousin, Darnel Scott, by sharing his love of cooking and baking while raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Evaluation results provided by Thicket LLC
- 0 Visitors (estimated)
- 0 percent of visitors say they are more likely to take one or more actions because of seeing this exhibit.
- 0 percent of visitors are more likely to vote in the next election because of seeing this exhibit.
