Happy Hour: Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story

Philadelphia, PA., America’s first capital, held a pivotal role as the cradle of American democracy. When George Washington took the oath of office in 1789, Philadelphia had the largest free and literate community of Africans in the entire British Atlantic. This community raised families, built institutions, created opportunities for self-emancipated Africans to continue north, fought for equal rights, and they participated in public life. They exemplified the ideals of the new republic.
 
Oliver St. Clair Franklin is the creator and co-executive producer of a feature length documentary of our Founding Era through the lens of the Black Philadelphia community of that time. Franklin’s documentary, Becoming American: Philadelphia’s Story, explores how diverse groups that included European colonists, Native Americans, free Black communities, and enslaved Africans lived and worked side-by-side to shape the new United States.
 
Join this ESU Happy Hour as Oliver Franklin describes his film as a shared national and international historical record that explains how America came to be, how it expanded, and how its founding ideals continue to resonate today. This Happy Hour is sponsored by the ESU Philadelphia Branch. ESU Happy Hour programs are online, free, and open to all members and the public. Registration is required to receive the webinar link.

REGISTER HERE
 
About Oliver St. Clair Franklin, CBE

Oliver St. Clair Franklin curated one of the first Black Film Festivals in the US (1972-78) and then produced documentary films. He became the first Deputy City Representative for Arts and Culture for the City of Philadelphia (1984-90). After his municipal role, Oliver became an executive at several financial services firms specializing in institutional investments and was Co-Managing Partner of the first US mutual fund to invest in The Republic of South Africa. He has served on many civic and cultural institutions including the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, The Philadelphia Foundation, and The Independence Historic Trust. He also served as the Honorary British Consul in Philadelphia and received the OBE and CBE honors from the late monarch. A Baltimore native, Oliver is a graduate of Lincoln University (Pa) and Oxford University. He is also a Hon. Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. 
 
Cocktail: The Founders’ Toast 
A simple bourbon-based cocktail tying to colonial/early American roots:
-2 oz bourbon
-3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
-1/2 oz honey syrup (equal parts honey + warm water, stirred)
-Top with a splash of ginger beer
-Garnish: lemon twist or mint sprig
Shake bourbon, lemon, honey syrup with ice; strain into a glass with fresh ice; top with ginger beer. Non-alcoholic version: swap bourbon for apple cider, same lemon/honey/ginger beer combo.