WHEREAS, The African American Museum in Philadelphia will proudly host the exhibition
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design
, opening on November 1st, 2025. This landmark exhibition honors the life, artistry, and cultural impact of Ruth E. Carter, a trailblazing, two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer whose work has transformed the visual landscape of film, fashion, and Black representation; and
WHEREAS, Ruth E. Carter, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, discovered her love for storytelling through costume design at her local Boys and Girls Club, learning to sew on her mother’s sewing machine and to interpret simplicity patterns. She refined her craft while studying Theatre Arts at Hampton University, a Historically Black University, and began her career collaborating with visionary filmmakers such as Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of four decades, Carter has designed costumes for more than seventy films, including
Do the Right Thing
,
Malcolm X
,
Amistad
,
Selma
,
Coming 2 America
, and
Black Panther
. Her designs for
Black Panther
earned her two historic Academy Awards for Best Costume Design-making her the first Black woman to win in that category in 2019 and again in 2023 for
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
; and
WHEREAS, The exhibition
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design
showcases the artistry, research, and cultural narratives behind her work, offering visitors an immersive experience that highlights the ways in which fashion and film can honor heritage, imagine futures, and celebrate Black identity; and
WHEREAS, Through this exhibition, the African American Museum in Philadelphia continues its mission of preserving and presenting African American history, culture, and creative expression, while engaging new generations in dialogue about representation, innovation, and storytelling; and
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honor the “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” Exhibition at the African American Museum in Philadelphia and Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Ruth E. Carter
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the council president's office and the chief clerk's office in sincere gratitude for their accomplishments.
End