Remembering Lenwood Sloan — A Visionary Artivist, Mentor and Friend
As a storyteller, historian, mentor, friend, and Artivist (Artist + Activist), Lenwood “Leni” Sloan made an indelible impact on the YWCA Lancaster community, in Lancaster County, and in Central Pennsylvania. Leni passed away in December 2025, at the age of 77, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of impact on the arts, culture, and history, in Lancaster County and in the region.
As an “Artivist” – Leni’s understanding of the connection between art, empowerment, and justice motivated his visionary achievements and meaningful change in the Lancaster community and beyond.
The Black Artist Waystation and Its Community Impact
Leni cared deeply about the Black Artist Waystation initiative by YWCA Lancaster, which he co-founded in 2021 with Tony Collins, as a vibrant platform designed to uplift and support Black artists in Lancaster. Together, they envisioned a fellowship that would nurture Black creatives as both artists and advocates, creators whose work speaks boldly to history, identity, resistance, and possibility. The program honors Lancaster’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad by continuing a legacy of celebrating the freedom, resilience, and brilliance of Black artistry today.
The Black Artist Waystation program includes direct artist support, public exhibitions, mentors, and community workshops, offering artists the opportunity to explore themes of identity, race, and justice. By elevating Black voices and promoting diversity in the arts, the Black Artist Waystation challenges traditional narratives and helps foster cultural transformation in our community.
Most recently in 2025, as co-founder of “The Tear Jar: A Blues Opera,” Leni created a genre-defying theatrical event. Inspired by the ancient tradition of collecting tears as symbols of grief and resilience, the project offers space for participants to honor their own stories of loss, hope, and transformation. The Tear Jar project reminds us that every tear holds meaning, and that healing grows when our stories are seen, shared, and held in community.
A Visionary Community Leader — Celebrating Black History and the Arts
Leni’s work and vision were deeply intertwined with the YWCA Lancaster mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
His strong commitment to making a transformative impact in the lives of others through Black history and the arts was very important to his involvement at YWCA Lancaster and throughout the Lancaster community and region. Leni was a visionary leader and an integral member of our community, sharing his enthusiasm for Black history and the arts with all ages – including serving as a special guest reader at the YWCA Lancaster’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Children’s Celebration.
Involvement in History and Preservation in Lancaster and Beyond
In his professional career, Leni was the executive director of the Commonwealth Monument Project, including the “Look Up, Look Out” campaign to honor Harrisburg’s Old 8th Ward. This was originally a multicultural neighborhood which was demolished during the expansion of Capitol Park in the state Capitol Complex in Harrisburg in the 1910s.
Leni was actively involved in history and the arts in the Central Pennsylvania region, as a member of many arts organizations in the area.
As a board member of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy from 2018 to 2024, Leni co-chaired the organization’s capital campaign and focused on preserving and sharing the stories of individuals instrumental to Lancaster’s history, especially Lydia Hamilton Smith. Smith was a significant historical figure, as a mixed-race businesswoman who lived and worked alongside abolitionist and statesman Thaddeus Stevens as his equal partner.
A Legacy of Positive Influence and Mentorship
At YWCA Lancaster, Black Art Across Lancaster is built on the foundation of the Black Artist Waystation, as a county-wide arts initiative by YWCA Lancaster that showcases the work of Black artists in community hubs through exhibitions, performances, and creative collaborations.
Through partnerships with local organizations, curated showcases, and public art activations, the program aims to increase visibility for Black artists, foster meaningful community connections, and ensure that art and equity are woven into the fabric of Lancaster County life.
Through Black Art Across Lancaster, emerging artists receive mentorship by past Black Artist Waystation Fellows at public art events and receive professional development while organizing Black-centered events that align with YWCA Lancaster's mission of racial and gender equity. With support from YWCA Lancaster, the Lancaster County Community Foundation, and private donors, this program amplifies Black artists' work and fosters a more inclusive arts community.
Although Leni’s time in Lancaster was just one chapter in a deep, engaging and broad life, as a great friend, mentor, leader, and visionary, Leni made a meaningful difference for so many at YWCA Lancaster and in the Central Pennsylvania community. Leni’s generosity of spirit and kindness have created an enduring legacy that is reflected in the achievements and success of those who he inspired, encouraged, and mentored, and continues far into the future. Leni will be deeply missed and remembered with heartfelt gratitude by all who had the honor of knowing him.
Art by Demetrius Archer