On May 13, Mike Africa, Jr. will be kicking off his year-long 13 Run Challenge in Philadelphia to honor the 13 victims of the city’s 1985 bombing that killed 11 MOVE members, including five children, at the house owned by his great-aunt, Louise James.
Events around the bombing anniversary on May 13, now an official day of remembrance in Philadelphia, include a historical archival exhibit tracing the history of MOVE and its members at the Paul Robeson House & Museum May 16, 18 and 19, and a Block Clean-Up on May 12 for the Osage Avenue neighborhood where the bombing took place.
A lifelong runner who has found healing through fitness, Africa, Jr. is running 13 half-marathons – one for each of the victims – every month from May 2024 – May 2025, leading up the 40th anniversary of the bombing. He’ll run in cities across nine states, in memory of the victims and to raise money to fulfill his great-aunt’s dying wish for her family to reclaim her home at 6221 Osage Avenue and own it outright just as she had before the bombing.
Africa, Jr. will dedicate each run to a different bombing victim. The half-marathon will kick off May 13 at 7:00 a.m. at Cobbs Creek Parkway and Osage Avenue, then continue to 309 N. 33rd Street, the Philadelphia Zoo, City Hall, and the Liberty Bell before circling back to the starting point of the run.
People can sign up to run with Africa Jr. or to cheer him on at mikeafricajr.com/register. They can also support his 13 Run Challenge by donating, becoming a sponsor, hosting a speaking event in Philadelphia or one of the other cities listed on his website, and helping to raise awareness about the run on social media.
The powerful pop-up archival exhibit ‘MOVE: The Old Days’ will be May 16, 18 and 19 at the Paul Robeson House & Museum at 4951 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Admission on May 18 and 19 is $13. There will be a special sneak preview on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 p.m., with a guided tour of the exhibit followed by a panel discussion with Africa, Jr. and special guests. Admission for the sneak preview is $40. The exhibit captures the history of MOVE and its members with never-before-seen photos, documents, artifacts, unpublished political writings, and audio and visual recordings. Personal items will also be featured, including Ramona Africa’s original bullhorn and 50 years of MOVE photographs and memorabilia.
Africa, Jr., his family and volunteers will also have a Block Clean-up Day on Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the neighborhood where the bombing took place.
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