Kinsey, PLBC celebrate Pa. trailblazers for Black History Month 2020
Rep. Stephen Kinsey February 27, 2020
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 27 – In celebration of Black History Month 2020, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, hosted a panel discussion Saturday at Martin Luther King High School in Germantown featuring six distinguished influencers of color from across the commonwealth who shared their sacrifices and achievements in being the first to shatter the glass ceiling in their professions.
In light of the upcoming elections and the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 15th Amendment, the panel also noted the importance of the national theme for Black History Month 2020, African Americans and the Vote.
“We’ve blended the PLBC’s theme and the national Black History Month theme to both showcase our contemporary trailblazers who have made history in our Commonwealth and instill the importance of voting, especially in this critical year for our democracy,” Kinsey said, “Thank you to our panelists and moderator for providing this informative discussion.”
Joining Kinsey in facilitating the event were PLBC members Reps. Jordan Harris, Democratic whip, Dan K. Williams, Carol Hill-Evans, Isabella Fitzgerald, Malcolm Kenyatta, PLBC associate member Rep. Maria Donatucci, and House colleague Rep. Joe Webster.
The panelists included former Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode Sr., Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, Superior Court Judge Carolyn Nichols, Philadelphia Register of Wills Tracey Gordon, Philadelphia Fire Department Capt. Lisa Forrest, state Rep. Danilo Burgos of the 197th Legislative District, with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill as the moderator.
Students from The Gavel Club of Jack and Jill of Philadelphia shared oral history from African-American pioneers. Musical selections were by Martin Luther King High School Community Choir and We R Redemption. The Martin Luther King High School Jr. ROTC opened the program with a formal presentation of colors and military formation.