Event – Detail

To commemorate Juneteenth, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia and the African American Children’s Book Project and Literary Events and Projects are proud to present Juneteenth - Celebrating Literary and Artistic Freedom honoring EB Lewis.

Join us in celebrating the extraordinary career of EB Lewis — legendary fine artist, author, and illustrator — whose powerful imagery has brought over 80 award-winning children’s books to life over the past three decades. From the beloved I Love My Hair by Natasha Tarpley, still in print more than 30 years after its release, to the acclaimed Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava by Gary Golio, which received a 2025 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Lewis’s vibrant illustrations continue to illuminate stories and inspire generations. His work is revered by schools and libraries and is featured in prestigious museums, private collections, and galleries across the United States and Europe.

In this special Juneteenth event, EB Lewis will share his artistic and literary journey in an engaging presentation for both young readers and adults. Select works of art will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the program. Come celebrate the power of story, art, and freedom.

For more information call (215) 878-BOOK or email: read@theafricanamericanchildrensbookproject.org.

This program is designed for young readers and adults.

For more than 32 years, the African American Children's Book Project (AACBP) has worked to promote and preserve children's literature written by or about African Americans. Literacy can open a world of opportunities for children. Early access to diverse books plays an important role in building lifelong readers -- especially books that reflect their images.