Uncovering Philly’s Hidden Threads: Why History Isn’t Just in Books
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Welcome to the Founders Threads blog, where we weave the untold stories of Philadelphia’s past into the fabric of today. I’m Nia Stallworth, your guide to the hidden histories that make Philly pulse—from the Black innovators who shaped its skyline to the rebels who dared to dream of freedom. Our mission? To spark curiosity, ignite conversation, and reclaim the narratives that built the City of Brotherly Love.
Our journey starts with a symbol: the Liberty Bell, cracked yet defiant, just like the stories we tell. Did you know that in 1838, Philly was home to a thriving “Black Metropolis” of 20,000 free African Americans, crafting their own schools, churches, and businesses? Or that Julian Abele, the first Black architect to graduate from UPenn, designed the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art—yet couldn’t enter his own creation due to segregation? These are the threads we’re pulling into the light.
What We’re About
At Founders Threads LLC, we’re more than a brand—we’re a movement. Our eco-friendly Taboo Threads T-shirts, with bold phrases like “Reparations Now, Receipts Later” and “Both Sides Suck – Vote Third Party or Netflix,” don’t just make a statement; they start debates. Our digital calendars—This Day in Black History, African History, Levantine History, and Philly History—deliver daily doses of lesser-known facts, like Octavius Catto’s 1871 fight for voting rights, right to your phone. And our Hidden Threads Monthly Tour Club ($99/mo, join now with code THREADS20 for $20 off) takes you on foot through Philly’s soul, from Mother Bethel AME Church to the Colored Girls Museum, with hands-on activities like mural hunts and Underground Railroad reenactments.
At Founders Threads LLC, we’re more than a brand—we’re a movement. Our eco-friendly Taboo Threads T-shirts, with bold phrases like “Reparations Now, Receipts Later” and “Both Sides Suck – Vote Third Party or Netflix,” don’t just make a statement; they start debates. Our digital calendars—This Day in Black History, African History, Levantine History, and Philly History—deliver daily doses of lesser-known facts, like Octavius Catto’s 1871 fight for voting rights, right to your phone. And our Hidden Threads Monthly Tour Club ($99/mo, join now with code THREADS20 for $20 off) takes you on foot through Philly’s soul, from Mother Bethel AME Church to the Colored Girls Museum, with hands-on activities like mural hunts and Underground Railroad reenactments.
Why Now?
Philly’s history is alive, especially in 2025, as we gear up for the city’s 250th anniversary and FIFA 2026 crowds. Tourism is booming—42.9 million visitors in 2023 alone—and cultural tours are up 8%, yet Black history remains underserved. We’re here to change that, blending education with edge. Our first tour, launching November 2025, dives into the 7th Ward’s “Black Metropolis,” where W.E.B. Du Bois penned his groundbreaking studies. Pair it with our “I Voted – Now What, America?” tee, featured in our video outside Mother Bethel, where our cracked Liberty Bell logo (a raised fist woven through history) shines.
Philly’s history is alive, especially in 2025, as we gear up for the city’s 250th anniversary and FIFA 2026 crowds. Tourism is booming—42.9 million visitors in 2023 alone—and cultural tours are up 8%, yet Black history remains underserved. We’re here to change that, blending education with edge. Our first tour, launching November 2025, dives into the 7th Ward’s “Black Metropolis,” where W.E.B. Du Bois penned his groundbreaking studies. Pair it with our “I Voted – Now What, America?” tee, featured in our video outside Mother Bethel, where our cracked Liberty Bell logo (a raised fist woven through history) shines.
Join the Movement
This isn’t just about wearing a tee or walking a tour—it’s about owning the stories that shape us. Subscribe to our Monthly Tour Club for exclusive access to Philly’s hidden gems. Grab a Taboo Threads tee to wear your truth, whether you’re left, right, or over it all. Or dive into our calendars to uncover a fact that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I know this?” Share your own hidden history using #HiddenThreads on X or Instagram—we’re listening.Ready to thread the past with the present? Shop now, join the club, and let’s make history together. What’s one Philly story you want to uncover? Drop it in the comments below!
This isn’t just about wearing a tee or walking a tour—it’s about owning the stories that shape us. Subscribe to our Monthly Tour Club for exclusive access to Philly’s hidden gems. Grab a Taboo Threads tee to wear your truth, whether you’re left, right, or over it all. Or dive into our calendars to uncover a fact that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I know this?” Share your own hidden history using #HiddenThreads on X or Instagram—we’re listening.Ready to thread the past with the present? Shop now, join the club, and let’s make history together. What’s one Philly story you want to uncover? Drop it in the comments below!
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