“Black history is American history, and in south-central Pennsylvania, we have a wealth of historic sites worth preserving, but many of them have been under-valued or under-developed,” said hearing host Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “The committee heard about the economic benefit of preserving these sites, as well as the educational benefits in telling the truth and erasing popular myths that masquerade as facts.” Read more

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Community and Economic Development: Mixed-Use Housing Development Pilot Program Who May Apply: Municipalities, Economic Development Organizations, Redevelopment Authorities, Municipal Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities, For-Profit organizations. Use: Mixed-use site development, conversion projects, rehabilitation projects, a combination of the three afore-mentioned projects. Funds: $10 million in PA Sites funding has been allocated for this program. There is no limit on the amount of grant funding that may be awarded to an applicant. Application Deadline: December 6, 2024 More information: DCED Website Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs: Recovery Support Services (RSS) Who May Apply: Applicant must have at least two years of experience as of July 1, 2024, providing RSS and demonstrate the capacity to provide RSS to individuals in recovery from opioid use disorder (OUD) and other concurrent substance use disorder (SUD). Use: Expand or enhance RSS to individuals in recover from OUD and other concurrent SUD. Funds: Approximately six grants totaling $1,500,000 each will be awarded. Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 More information: DDAP Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today hosted t he Pennsylvania State Coalition of the National Council of Negro Women for the NCNW’s lobbying day at the state Capitol. "Today, we warmly welcome the National Council of Negro Women, a beacon of empowerment and advocacy for our communities,” said state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who chairs the PLBC. “Its tireless work inspires change and uplifts voices that need to be heard. Thank you NCNW for your unwavering commitment to justice and equality -- together, we can continue to forge a brighter future." The NCNW advocated for the passage of state Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes’s Crown Act, and well as state Rep. Darisha Parker’s H.B.s 850 and 851. The Crown Act (H.B. 1394) would prohibit discrimination based on hair type or hair texture. It passed the PA House in August 2023, but there has been no action on it in the state Senate. House Bills 850 and 851 would create better accessibility to feminine hygiene products. The bills passed the state House in June and await further action in the state Senate. The NCNW was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist, to enlighten and inspire and has connected more than 2 million women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 21 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today hosted the Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the most well-known civil rights leaders of his era, at the state Capitol. Jackson and members of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition visited Harrisburg to evaluate the progress of the PLBC in Dauphin County regarding voting rights for incarcerated individuals, particularly in relation to Rep. Rick Krajewski’s H.B. 1756 . Their goals also include supporting the PLBC tour from this past summer and promoting Black economic development. “Rev. Jackson has been a pivotal figure in the civil rights and voting rights movements, advocating for social justice and racial equality through grassroots activism and national campaigns,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who chairs the PLBC. “His leadership and unwavering commitment have helped amplify the voices of marginalized communities and shaped critical dialogues around civil rights issues in America.” Jackson was recognized by both state legislative bodies for founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which advocates for civil rights, economic equality, voting rights and social justice. He played a crucial role in pushing for federal and state legislators to implement legislation addressing voter impediments, affirmative action in contracts, and major civil rights campaigns, including the push for economic empowerment. “Let Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 16 - Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed into law Act 100 , introduced by state Rep. Regina Young, D-Phila./Delaware and former state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Phila., creating a license exemption for natural hair braiding in the commonwealth. “Natural hair braiding has been commonplace in the African American community for centuries. The techniques have been passed from generation to generation and are learned from early childhood. It does not take formal training to do,” Young said. “This is a recognition of the distinct cultural richness of natural hair braiding and that all it takes a comb, a brush and a beautiful head full of hair — no license necessary.” The law exempts hair braiders from having to obtain a cosmetology license to practice braiding and brings Pennsylvania in line with the more than 30 other states that have exempted hair braiders from licensing laws. Read more

Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus and statewide voting rights advocates came together today to celebrate and spread awareness of the Department of State’s first-ever official guidance to counties on voting practices in jails. Most Pennsylvanians who are being held pre-trial or are incarcerated for a misdemeanor are eligible to vote, but many jails do not have official procedures. Read more

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – State Reps. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, and Joe Hohenstein, D-Phila., held a news conference to highlight their legislation, H.B. 1630 , that would create an Office of New Pennsylvanians to support, attract and retain immigrants in the commonwealth. “Generations of immigrants answered Pennsylvania’s welcoming call of opportunity and freedom, making our commonwealth into the powerhouse it is,” Smith-Wade-El said. “Right now, Pennsylvania is betraying its own values by scapegoating immigrant communities with punitive policies that are driving them out of the state although foreign-born workers comprise over 8% of our state’s workforce and pay $3.3 billion yearly in state and local taxes. As our population ages and many residents leave our state for other opportunities, we need skilled workers, entrepreneurs, consumers and community leaders to make sure that Pennsylvania continues to grow and thrive economically, culturally and socially. “Pennsylvania needs an Office of New Pennsylvanians to ensure that these new residents are able to flourish in the commonwealth,” Smith-Wade-El said. “They need to know we have their back.” “Pennsylvania is stronger when we welcome and celebrate immigration,” Hohenstein said. “Our collective ability to come together from all different backgrounds and perspectives for the betterment of the commonwealth is truly wonderful. Read more

“This project has invested in the lives of people, not only wrapping their arms around the youth in the community but also stepping in to help young adults by providing the guidance they need in order to transition to the workforce,” said Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus chairman and hearing host Rep. Napoleon Nelson, who represents portions of Montgomery County. “We cannot expect to see success until we focus on how to improve the lives of the people in our communities.” Read more

BELLEFONTE, Aug. 28 – State lawmakers and Centre County officials today toured the Centre County Correctional Facility together and discussed the importance of voting access, as it pertains to people who are incarcerated. Discussion centered on facility policies allowing individuals to vote from jail and how the duty to vote, justice and democracy are related. “I speak on behalf of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus when I say that we are impressed with the level of voting access that the CCCF provides,” said state Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny , who is a member of the PLBC and hosted the meeting. “When we look at the issue of voting from jail, we’re also talking about the dignity and power it can provide for the voter." “It’s imperative that incarcerated people know that their voice is not only wanted at the polls but is needed. Denying the right to vote to individuals in jail strips them of their humanity and silences voices that need to be heard in a democracy." “In 2018, Centre County Correctional Facility staff, the Commissioners, and a community volunteer began the process of exploring what voting would look like in our facility,” said Warden Glenn Irwin, Centre County Correctional Facility . “We know how important voting is, so we work to stay compliant with current PA election laws and regulations while ensuring all of our eligible returning citizens can Read more