Thank you for celebrating 40 years of Forging Our Future Together!

For four decades, AAU’s greatest strength has always been our people. The people who show up not just in the big, loud moments but also in the quiet ones. Thousands of people who rally and march with us. Dedicated volunteers who do community cleanups, early-morning setup, and who always make sure the community is fed and warm.

AAU’s anniversary wasn’t just about celebrating our work—it was about celebrating the community we’ve built together. We want to give a huge thank you to our night market stalls: six local businesses who shared their culture, history, and care through every dish.

We were excited to unveil new merchandise, designed by Philly artists. Thank you for bringing AAU’s story, history and values to life with your creativity.

We also honored our performers and awardees. These folks have stood strong with us through art, advocacy, and community care. Your work reminds us that resistance takes many forms, and every single one matters.

And as always, we thank our volunteers! Your time, labor, and heart are what keep our organization going. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

Looking around the room that night, we were reminded of where we’ve come from. From the No Arena banners to the stories preserved in our archives, our history lives on through the people who dared to imagine something better for our communities— and then worked to make it real.

Each of you shows up in your own way, carrying our shared values forward and standing together in the fight for justice.

Forty years in, our commitment is still as strong as ever. We are forever committed to our people, our communities, and to forging a future rooted in dignity, care, and collective liberation.

Thank you for standing with AAU—then, now, and for all the years to come!