Metro Philadelphia Black Power Players 2024

Jerry T. Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, is a lifelong Philadelphian, a graduate of Philadelphia’s public schools, and a high school teacher. Jordan has led the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers through tumultuous years with a steady hand and a forward thinking vision, securing some of the best contracts in the Federation’s history — including our 2021 settlement which created a paraprofessional career pathways program. Jordan is an American Federation of Teachers vice president and chair of the Civil and Human Rights Committee.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
As a teenager, I was a “know-it-all” and would have probably told my younger self to listen to the advice of others – it’s something I quickly learned was essential for success once I got my first job as a dishwasher in a restaurant. I’ve taken it to heart ever since.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I am incredibly proud of the first graduating cohorts of our paraprofessional pathways program – a terrific union-district collaboration that allows our hard-working support staff a pathway to become teachers in the district. I am looking forward to being heavily involved in efforts to ensure that the democracy of this country is protected and strengthened.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
“Eyes on The Prize” by Juan Williams (a companion to the PBS television series by the same name): This book documents the Civil Rights struggle here in America, and it’s a wonderful vehicle for people to learn about what transpired. It’s an honest history in a time when that is so critically important to our future.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
POWER, an interfaith coalition, works tirelessly as a collective voice for the people. Their commitment to justice, and their fight alongside us for public education, is awe-inspiring.

Michael Kenyatta Joynes is the vice president of government and community relations at Philadelphia Works, the city’s workforce development board. With more than 30 years of experience in workforce development, Michael brings his unwavering commitment to the community to everything he does. Throughout his career, he has developed and nurtured positive working relationships with city, state and federal elected and appointed officials, the corporate community, faith based institutions, local non-profit agencies and has received great respect for his hard work from the residential community of the tri-state area.

Chad Dion Lassiter is an expert of American race relations and has worked on race, peace, and poverty-related issues in the U.S. and around the world. In 2023, he was appointed by President Biden to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunities for Black Americans. Lassiter is the current executive director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC). He received his master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Work.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
The advice I’d give to my younger self would be to focus on saving the world of the INDIVIDUAL and not trying to save the entire world, which is an impossible task.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
Being appointed on April 21, 2023, by the President of the United States of America to the Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans. This commission affords us an opportunity to frame out an agenda for educational equity for Black Americans in the 21st century. In 2024, I look forward to creating a diverse civil rights division at PHRC that will engage in peace building throughout the commonwealth.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
Books that I recommend reading are “Souls of Black Folks” by W.E.B. DuBois, “Where do we go from here: Chaos or Community” by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Ida, A Sword Among Lions, Ida B. Wells and the Campaign against Lynching” by Paula J. Giddings. Movies that I recommend watching are “13th”, “Antwone Fisher”, and “The Emperor Jones” featuring Paul Roberson. I suggest music by Nina Simone, Mississippi Mass Choir and Poor Righteous Teachers.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission inspires me regularly for their work in eradicating hate in the Commonwealth: visit wwww.phrc.pa.gov. The person that comes to mind that is also doing inspiring work is Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II.

Dr. Keith Leaphart is a doctor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. As executive vice president and Humana chief health equity and community impact officer, Leaphart works closely with stakeholders across Jefferson Health to develop strategies and tactics to implement health equity and inclusion policies, practices, and training. He also oversees Jefferson Collaborative for Health Equity and uses his position to partner with local and national leaders and organizations, advancing health equity throughout our region. He has dedicated his life to helping as many people as possible.

Kelly Lee has served as the chief cultural officer for the city of Philadelphia and executive director of the Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy (OACCE) since 2016. Ms. Lee leads OACCE’s efforts to increase access to the arts by equitably supporting culture and creativity in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods; support free cultural programming in communities; create opportunities for local artists and organizations; connect Philadelphians to quality arts experiences; and preserve the City’s 1,100 public artworks.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Everything is a learning opportunity. You might not realize it at the time, but every experience that you have, whether good or bad, teaches you something useful that you will need in the future.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
Professionally, leading the commissioning of a Harriet Tubman statue for the city of Philadelphia, which will be the first statue of a Black female historical figure in the city’s public art collection. In 2024 I hope to work with the 100th and first woman mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle Parker. It is a historic and important time for Philadelphia.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
Any time of year, but especially during Black History Month, I would recommend reading anything by Toni Morrison. “Beloved” will always be my favorite book. I will probably re-read “Beloved” for the umpteenth time in February.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The work of First Person Arts. I love their storytelling competitions and am inspired by the movie they recently produced, “Triggered.” It really demonstrated the resiliency of so many people who have been impacted by gun violence.

Sara M. Lomax is the president and CEO of WURD Radio, Pennsylvania’s only Black talk radio station. She has transformed WURD from a legacy talk radio station to a multimedia communications company providing original programming and audience engagement on air, online and through community events. In 2021, she co-founded URL Media, a network of BIPOC media organizations that share content and revenues to increase sustainability. Sara is currently in the John S. Knight Journalism fellowship at Stanford.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Be who you are wherever you are. Invest in cultivating love, kindness, compassion and courage within yourself. If you don’t know and love yourself, you can’t know and love anyone or anything else fully. Getting still every day will allow you to connect to your inner wisdom — which will never steer you wrong.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
In 2023 WURD celebrated our 20th anniversary. I am very proud that we have not only survived to reach this major milestone, but we have grown and are thriving. This is a huge accomplishment during a time when the media industry has seen major organizations close down and do massive layoffs. And here we are, an independent, Black-owned media company that continues to produce compelling, culturally specific content that authentically serves Philadelphia’s Black community.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
The movies: “The Color Purple” (2024), “American Fiction” and “Origin”
The books: “How to Say Babylon”, “Caste” and “Ask and It Is Given”

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
I think the work that Vashti DuBois is doing at The Colored Girls Museum is amazing. Similarly, I am in awe of Jeannine Cook’s creativity and courage. She has taken her work at Harriett’s and Ida’s Bookshop(s) here in the Philly area and expanded her vision to launch Josephine’s (as in Baker) in Paris. I can’t wait to see what else she will imagine.

After working in fashion design for over 12 years, Shannon launched her storefront via a series of experimental pop-ups. Named “The Coolest Shop in Philadelphia” by Bon Appétit in 2019, the YOWIE brand has extended its outreach to include interactive design workshops, creative/art direction, and interior design consulting for hospitality clients. This summer Shannon put YOWIE’s signature spin on hospitality by co-founding a 13 suite boutique hotel set above an expanded retail space and new cafe.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
You will learn something from even the smallest opportunities.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
Opening our new boutique hotel and shop. It was nearly three years in the making. In 2024 I am looking to do more collaborations and expand our brand in new and dynamic ways.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
I am excited to read “Home Bodies” by Tembe Denton-Hurst

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
I recently learned of Philly Youth Empowerment For Advancement Hangout (YEAH). It is A Black-led, community-based nonprofit that works with teens and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia who have been impacted by violence.

As foundation president, Lorina Marshall-Blake leads strategic, programmatic, and operational efforts to create sustainable solutions that improve the health and wellness of the community. As vice president of community affairs, Marshall-Blake develops and manages relationships with community partners to advance Independence’s social mission efforts. She works with numerous professional and civic organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the United Negro College Fund. She is also an associate minister at the Vine Memorial Baptist Church in Philadelphia.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Always be your authentic self. It is too hard being anyone else. Also, never forget where you’re from. I’m a West Philly girl and throughout my career I’ve stayed true to my roots and tried to be a role model for positive change. I’d also tell my younger self that every individual has a voice, and to make sure that people know that they matter.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I’m proud of the three-day national Health Equity Summit our foundation hosted through our Health Equity Institute last April. This first of its kind event convened more than 600 regional and national leaders to drive action in medical education, digital health and maternal health. For 2024, I’m excited about continuing to serve as a leader and collaborator with area nonprofits to create meaningful change for those who need it most.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
I really liked the movie “The Color Purple.” Great music, acting and an incredible story. I also loved “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. The setting is Pottstown, Pennsylvania, so it has a lot of local culture. The book made me laugh and cry and I loved how it shows how diverse cultures can all live together.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
Alexia Doumbouya, founder and president of Cocolife.black, is someone making a real difference in our community. Every day she advocates for Black and brown moms to improve maternal health outcomes locally and nationwide. This is important work since childbirth complications are 190 percent higher for Black women than for white women in Philadelphia. I greatly admire what Alexia and Cocolife.black are doing to make sure a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum are within everyone’s reach.

Sharmain Matlock-Turner has led the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) since 1999 and is the organization’s first woman CEO. A lifelong Philadelphian, she has dedicated her life to serving and uplifting her community through relentless advocacy, mentorship, and hands-on leadership. She co-founded the twenty one-year-old West Oak Lane Charter School, and is a founding member of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, a collective of leaders founded in 2021 working to reduce gun deaths in Philadelphia.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I had many mentors along my path who helped me see my own strengths and envision my future as a leader. This new perspective opened my eyes to systemic issues in the culture, business community and beyond that I had not fully understood. My only advice would be to listen to those mentors even sooner. We all succeed more quickly by replacing our inner critic with the voices of trusted mentors who see our potential.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
Mel Wells and his organization, One Day At A Time, Inc. (ODAAT), are helping individuals and communities who are most in need of resources. ODAAT serves more than 57,000 individuals annually in Philadelphia. ODAAT connects with individuals and provides services to support recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, food insecurity, and HIV/AIDS. He also advocates on behalf of people and communities in need with local and regional governments.

Elected to serve communities in Philadelphia and Delaware County in 2015, Rep. Joanna McClinton became Pennsylvania’s first woman speaker of the house in February 2023.  A southwest Philadelphia resident, and Grace Temple Christian Academy, LaSalle University, and Villanova University School of Law graduate, she was a public defender and chief counsel to Senator Anthony Williams before being elected. McClinton has earned several distinctions, including City and State PA’s “40 Under 40” and Politico Recast’s annual power list.