Smith-Wade-El to speak at Lancaster street renaming in honor of Chet Stewart Oct. 22
Central PA Delegation October 20, 2026 | 4:39 PM
LANCASTER, Oct. 20 – State Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, D-Lancaster, will join Chester Frank “Chet” Stewart, members of Stewart’s family and friends, and other local officials at a street dedication in Stewart’s honor.
The dedication will be held at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the northeast corner of Shippen and Locust streets.
In addition to Smith-Wade-El and Stewart, attending will be his brother Brent Stewart, family member David Cruz, a representative from the city of Lancaster, former state Rep. Mike Sturla and former Lancaster Mayor Rick Gray.
At the request of Stewart's family, Smith-Wade-El’s office initiated the process of renaming the street with the City of Lancaster, with constituent services advisor Cheryl D. Holland-Jones spearheading the efforts.
Stewart was a longtime Lancaster civil rights and community leader and founder of the 1960s rhythm-and-blues group, The Trannells.
“Chet Stewart strove his entire life to make Lancaster a fairer and more equal place for all everyone, especially its Black residents,” said Smith-Wade-El. "He is an inspiration to me and many other Lancastrians. He marched, he sang, he organized and he helped build institutions that have made our city better in countless ways.
"Chet's unique talents as an accomplished musician are paralleled by his effectiveness as a civic leader. His enduring legacy is that of a conductor of community: bringing people together, amplifying Black voices, and helping write a new song for Lancaster - one with a richer, more vibrant melody that more fully reflects the talents, aspirations, and contributions of all its people."
Stewart is a Lancaster native and 1963 graduate of McCaskey High School. As a teenager, he performed with The Crystalaires and founded The Trannells, an interracial doo-wop and R & B group whose 1964 single, “Come On and Tell Me,” climbed local radio charts. At the same time, Stewart was active in the civil rights movement, marching with the Lancaster NAACP to protest the exclusion of Black Americans from Rocky Springs Swimming Pool. In 1968, as a 23-year-old, he was president of the NAACP Youth Council and became director of the Community Action Program’s new Youth Council, where he helped Lancaster’s youth find jobs and helped give them a voice.
He went on to lead the Citizen Assembly of the Model Cities Program and chair the Lancaster Rainbow Coalition. He also served on the Human Relations Commission and the boards of the Urban League and the Crispus Attucks Community Center. He also served as a Southeast Area Democratic district leader, serving as a bridge between community and city leaders, including the police, during challenging periods in Lancaster’s history.
In 1992, the Urban League of Lancaster County honored Stewart with its Elaine J. Washington Memorial Award for his lifelong dedication to equality and opportunity.