2007                      

January               
We Feed Our People – for the 2nd year, YFS coordinates this homeless outreach effort  during the MLK Day of Service.

April                      
Black Swan Exhibit: Ascension of the Ebony Divine featuring YFS artist Willis Nomo, Shantrelle Lewis curates this dynamic exhibit of the glorification of Black women and deification African American musicians.

June                     
501 © (3) status approved – YFS is granted 501c3 status by the IRS.
YFS Fest featuring Lee “Scratch” Perry, Bilal, Seun Kuti, and Femi Kuti: Sponsored by PECO, YFS celebrates its non-profit designation and commemorates Black Music Month with this electrifying 4-part concert series.

October              
Soul Simpatico: Bievenue Nouvelle Orleans – YFS formally introduces itself to New Orleans with its staple event featuring a crescent city night of spoken word and performing arts.

November         
Wine & Cheese : Philadelphia & New Orleans – YFS opened its members to the New Orleans and Philadelphia communities.

 

2006

January               
We Feed Our People: originally founded in Washington, DC YFS organized volunteers who collected clothing and prepared food for Philadelphia’s homeless community and distributed these items on MLK Day.

February             
Soul Simpatico II –  the second installment of YFS’ signature event.

May                      
New York City Museum Tour – YFS members visited the International Center of Photography and Studio Museum of Harlem.

June                     
Wines of the World – featuring wines from around the African Diaspora, attendees of this wine tasting also delighted in delicious desserts and sounds from South Africa, Philadelphia, and Afro-Latin America.

July                       
Sidewalk Sale for Sudan –  YFS members gathered items for this sidewalk sale which benefitted an organization fighting to put an end to the crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

August                 
Whitewater Rafting – a  members-only trip, YFS members had a blast during a white water excursion in the Poconos.
Shootout Exhibition: Reverberating the Spirit & Legacy of Jack T. Franklin – featuring the work of 14 young photographers from around the African Diaspora, this exhibit paid homage to legendary Philadelphia photographer, Jack T. Franklin.

September        
My Big Chief Wear A Golden Crown: Photographic Essay of the Mardi Gras Indians  Exhibit – Curated by Shantrelle Lewis, this exhibit featured the work of New Orleans photographer Alan Green who captured magnificent images of the New Orleans Black Indian tradition.

October              
Soul Simpatico III – YFS celebrated its 1st year anniversary and the support of more than 100 financial members and hundreds of supporters. .

December          
Black & White Affair: The Harlem Renaissance Revisited – Taking a trip back in time, YFS revisited the spirit of the Harlem Renaissance Movement with a semi-formal event which featured a tribute to Josephine Baker, the Cotton Club, a casino and silent art auction.

 

2005

October              
Inception of YFS – Soul Simpatico I: an eclectic mix of visual and performing art, Soul Simpatico gave birth to the Young Friends Society at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

December          
R.E.D. Affair – Welcome to Storyville: themed after the infamous red light district of New Orleans, the semi-formal “red” event featured a cabaret, casino, silent art auction and South African red wine tasting.