HARRISBURG, Feb. 13 – State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, has announced the PLBC’s annual scholarship competition is open for the 2017-18 school year. The scholarships are available for high school seniors and first-year college students who will be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year Pennsylvania college or university. Harris said the students applying for the scholarship must be a minority student, have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and demonstrate leadership qualities. A 250-word essay on the student’s academic plans and career goals must be submitted. Only the first 250 applications submitted will be considered. The PLBC plans to award at least 10 scholarships this year. Each scholarship will be $1,000. To obtain an application and more details about the program, students can visit www.pahouse.com/plbc and click on the Scholarships tab. If they have any additional questions about the PLBC Scholarship Program, applicants can contact Harris’ office at (717) 772-6955. The deadline to submit an application is Saturday, April 22. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Joanna McClinton honors the life and legacy of civil rights hero and pioneer Rosa Parks. McClinton sponsored a House Resolution designating Ms. Parks birthday, February 4, 2017, as Rosa Parks Remembrance Day in Pennsylvania. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Pa. House of Representatives. Read more
Vice-Chair of the Pa. Legislative Black Caucus state Rep. Donna Bullock says that Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal helps our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians by investing in our children's education, helping our seniors and continuing the fight against the opioid epidemic. Read more
Chairman of the Pa. Legislative Black Caucus, state Rep. Jordan Harris speaks on his resolution honoring City Year Philadelphia. City Year is a national program of public service that helps high school students graduate and celebrates 20-years of service in the School District of Philadelphia. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Jake Wheatley organized a viewing of the movie Hidden Figures for 200 high school girls from Pittsburgh in the hopes they become inspired and motivated to pursue any career of their choosing. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Gainey discusses a Peace and Justice Initiative report released by the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition to examine the quality of life, education, and employment of the city's African-American residents. Read more
Pa state Rep. Jake Wheatley announces the release of the Peace and Justice Initiative report developed by the Pittsburgh Black Elected Officials Coalition that examines the quality of life, education, and employment opportunities for the city's African-American residents. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Ed Gainey calls on his colleagues and all Pennsylvanians to heed The Dream of the Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. to treat all with respect and move humanity forward. Read more
At a press conference at Philadelphia City Hall, Pa. state Rep. Jim Roebuck urges people without healthcare to go to www.healthcare.gov and enroll in the Affordable Care Act before the January 31 deadline. Roebuck says that healthcare is a basic human right and is fighting to keep the healthcare system intact. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Jordan Harris was sworn-in as the new Chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Harris discusses the priorities and directive of the PLBC for the 2017-18 legislative session. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Jordan Harris today was sworn into office for his third term as representative for the 186th Legislative District during a ceremony in the Capitol. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives swearing-in corresponds with the first Tuesday in January, every two years. This year is Pennsylvania’s 201st legislative session. “I am thankful my constituents maintain their trust in me,” Harris said. “I will continue to build on that trust and expand on the work that my staff and I accomplished for the 186 th Legislative District.” During his second term, Harris fought for funding for education in Philadelphia, including for Pre-K, and championed legislation that eventually became law to help expunge criminal records of lesser offenders. Harris said he will continue to fight for more education funding, as well as common-sense gun laws and criminal justice reform. In addition to beginning his third, two-year term as state representative, Harris has been named chairman for the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “It’s an honor to have been elected to serve as chairman of this very important caucus,” Harris said. “With the upcoming session, I will see to it that the members of the Black Caucus stand united and be the voice for African-Americans and people of color across Pennsylvania on key issues, including promoting diversity and inclusion in the commonwealth’s workforce Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Rosita C. Youngblood, D-Phila., today took the oath of office to begin her 12th term representing the 198th Legislative District. “I look forward to getting to work and build on the accomplishments we made during the previous session,” Youngblood said. “From passing historic legislation to allow medical marijuana in the commonwealth to increasing funding for education, I am optimistic that both sides of the aisle can work together once again and make great strides for a better Pennsylvania. We must continue to advocate for policies that put people first and expand opportunities for success.” Youngblood said she is thankful to remain House Democratic Caucus secretary for the 2017-18 legislative session, a position she was elected in to by her peers prior to last session. Youngblood became the first black female in Pennsylvania history to hold a leadership position in the General Assembly. “It’s an honor to hold this leadership post for a second term and to have been elected by my peers as the only black member represented in leadership in the House,” Youngblood said. “We have a lot of work to do to bridge some of the divides facing this Commonwealth, and this nation, but I am confident and hopeful that we will achieve great things for all Pennsylvanians.” The swearing-in ceremony in the House chamber marked the beginning of the 201st Legislative Session. Youngblood said that Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Donna Bullock today was sworn into office as representative for the 195th Legislative District during a ceremony at the Pennsylvania Capitol. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives swearing-in corresponds with the first Tuesday in January, every two years. This year is Pennsylvania’s 201st legislative session. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue representing and fighting for the residents of the 195 th District, both at home and in Harrisburg,” Bullock said. “We have new challenges ahead in this upcoming session and I am ready to work with my colleagues to bring positive change to the commonwealth.” In addition to beginning her first, full two-year term as state representative, Bullock has been chosen to serve as vice chairwoman for the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. “I am honored that my peers selected me to serve in this position for such a very important caucus,” said Bullock, D-Phila. Bullock said residents are encouraged to sign up for periodic e-mail updates by registering through her website, www.PaHouse.com/Bullock . Constituents can also stay up to date with news from Harrisburg and Philadelphia by adding her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/RepDonnaBullock and following her on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/RepDonnaBullock . Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6 – State Rep. Donna Bullock will hold an Environmental Justice Mixer and Update from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at Community Futures Lab, 2204 Ridge Ave. The event is free and open to the public. The meet-and-greet reception is in honor of the 25th anniversary of the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice, which were adopted at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit held Oct. 24-27, 1991 in Washington, D.C. The principles have served as the defining document and basis for the grassroots movement for environmental justice. In the spirit of the adoption of the 17 principles, this event is a gathering of contemporary environmental and social-justice professionals, activists and community members to connect with one another and continue expanding a network of people who are fighting for environmental justice in Philadelphia. Light refreshments will be provided, and Bullock will share an environmental legislative update from her first term in Harrisburg. Read more
Calling it a victory for transparency and police-community relations, state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., chairman-elect of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, thanked Gov. Tom Wolf today for vetoing House Bill 1538. Read more
Calling it an extreme honor to have the opportunity to be a strong voice for African-Americans and people of color across the commonwealth, state Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Phila., was elected Tuesday to serve as the chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 10 – Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week begins Monday, culminating in Red Shirt Day on Friday, Nov. 18, said state Rep. Donna Bullock, who sponsored a House resolution commemorating the week. A news conference in the Capitol Rotunda will take place at 11 a.m. Monday . The news conference will occur during Housing Alliance of PA’s Homes within Reach Conference – a full day of panels and events centering on homelessness prevention that will take place at the Harrisburg Hilton. Slated to speak in the Capitol are: Sonia Pitzi, Office for the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Liz Hersh, director, City of Philadelphia, Office of Homeless Services Cindy Daley, policy director for the Housing Alliance Liam Spady, The Advocacy Institute (youth advocate) More information about the Homes within Reach Conference, which is celebrating its 12 th year, can be found here . To show solidarity with children experiencing homelessness and the educators who serve them, Bullock’s H.R. 1112, adopted last month, encourages Pennsylvanians to observe Nov. 14 through Nov. 18 as "Pennsylvania Education for Youth Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week." Pennsylvanians are urged to wear a red shirt on Friday, Nov. 18 for "Red Shirt Day," which encourages schools and communities to support assistance programs for children experiencing Read more
One of the biggest problems facing public assistance is that it is overregulated when subjected to politics. Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 21 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., and House Education Committee Democratic Chairman Jim Roebuck, D-Phila., will co-host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency’s Act 101 program, which provides higher education opportunities for the disadvantaged. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 in the Bossone Research Center Atrium, 3rd Floor at Drexel University, 3140 Market St., Philadelphia. The state-funded Act 101 program allocates money to Pennsylvania schools to provide services to academically and financially disadvantaged students to assist them so they can successfully complete postsecondary study. The current agenda is as follows: 2 p.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks 2:10 p.m. Panel from Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency: Christine Zuzack , vice president of state grant and special programs Ashley Ruth , public affairs technical assistance specialist 2:50 p.m. Panel Two: Antoinette Torres , associate vice provost of enrollment management, Drexel University Robert Miedel , Act 101 director, La Salle University Donna Dickinson , Act 101 director, King’s College Tom Thomas, Act 101 director, Wilkes University 3:30 p.m. Panel Three: Jerome Dean , Act 101 program graduate, Shippensburg University Act 101 students 4 p.m. Closing Remarks The Read more
PHILADELPHIA, May 18 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., will host two free, public meetings this month as part of his "A Conversation with the Secretary" series. Kinsey and Rep. Rosita Youngblood, D-Phila., will host Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel for a discussion of prisons, reintegration services and other services as they relate to the prison system and programs for ex-offenders from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at the First Presbyterian Church of Germantown, 35 W. Chelten Ave. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and speak with experts about the realities posed by imprisonment and the resources to help with them. In a second meeting of the series, Kinsey and Philadelphia City Councilwoman Cindy Bass will host a meeting with Pennsylvania State Education Secretary Pedro Rivera from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the governor’s proposed education budget, the impact it will have on schools, what adequate funding means in Philadelphia, what parents can do to support schools and much more. Read more
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