Metro Philadelphia Black Power Players 2024

Valarie McDuffie is a finance and operations leader with over 20 years of experience. She has a proven track-record in robust financial analysis to ensure sound operational and financial decision-making. Prior to joining the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA), Valarie was at the College of New Jersey where she was interim vice president and treasurer and associate vice president for finance and budget planning. Throughout her career she has held executive roles at Rutgers University and Temple University.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to take the road some may consider less traveled. Embrace your setbacks, challenges, and obstacles, they will help shape you, build character, strength and are part of the overall journey. They will help develop and mold you to be a powerful and authentic leader in the future.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I am most proud of taking a risk and stepping away from higher education after 20 years to join the Philadelphia Museum of Art. In this exciting leadership role, I have embraced the culture and joined an innovative leadership team. I look forward to building community, strategic partnerships, bridging the diversity gap, and increasing accessibility to all audiences across the city and state.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
My movie recommendation would be the new “The Color Purple”. It’s a fabulous musical which includes an African American cast, a story of love, hope, empowerment, and girl power. As far as a book recommendation, “Lead from the Outside”, by Stacy Abrams, and “I Hope You Fail” by Pinky Cole. They are both great reads by two inspiring Black women. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and recently celebrating our 111th Founders Day, I must spotlight the inspiring work of our sisterhood. What began with 22 women in 1913 has expanded to more than 350,000 women across the world leaving a global impact. Leading with fortitude, empowering communities, and standing on our five-point programmatic thrust, we’ve been able to help our communities through education, scholarships, voter registration and much more.

Darius McLean is the chief operating officer at the William Way LGBT Community Center, a thriving center for diversity and community in Philadelphia. Darius has over 13 years of professional experience working in LGBTQ+ communities. Notably, his professional leadership in the LGBTQ+ community grows from a lifetime of lived experience. Darius’ experiences continually motivate him to provide the highest standards of care, empathy, and respect in his work for and with the LGBTQ+ community.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The work of Transwork which connects transgender and non-binary job seekers and entrepreneurs with a network of supportive employers and business. I would also like to highlight Prevention Meets Fashion: Prevention Meets Fashion is an organization that specializes in using a fashion-based approach, creativity and innovation to educate about the unique sexual and reproductive health needs of queer and Black communities.

Shawn Mooring is the Lenfest Institute for Journalism’s head of Philadelphia programs. Shawn leads the Institute’s grantmaking, programs, and initiatives to support journalists and news organizations striving to build sustainable and equitable models of local news that meet the needs of Philadelphia’s communities. Shawn spearheaded the development and launch of ecosystem efforts such as the Local News Business Sustainability Initiative and the Philadelphia Media Founder’s Exchange that provide critical resources to Philadelphia journalists, media organizations.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Keep the faith, always keep God first, and trust that as long as you’ve truly given it over to Him, done the necessary preparation, and steadfastly continue to do the work… you will prevail. You won’t always see it, and difficulty and hardship are sometimes an inevitable part of the process. Enjoy your journey, and cherish every moment because the time will go by faster than you could ever imagine!

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
I am most proud of the partnerships and initiatives that we were able to sustain and launch in 2023, particularly the Every Voice, Every Vote and Philadelphia Media Founders Exchange Initiatives. These two initiatives are particularly important to me because they are efforts that focus on supporting the lifting up of voices that have historically been overlooked and disregarded. Both initiatives are also slated to expand and continue to evolve in 2024 and beyond.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
Hmmm… I would definitely recommend folks check out Uncle Bobbies Coffee & Books (5445 Germantown Ave., Phila., PA 19144) and Harriet’s Bookshop (258 E. Girard Ave., Phila., PA 19125) for books any time of the year! You will find wonderful gems in both establishments that will enlighten your mind and support our community. For movies, I would say check out cinéSPEAK (4300 Chester Ave., Phila., PA 19104) an independent minority owned movie house!

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
I would like to highlight the digital publication Generocity (www.generocity.org) and its new publisher Monique Curry-Mims. Generocity’s overarching goal is to be an advocacy tool that provides a medium for local community members to share their voices, collaborate on solutions, and help social impact leaders understand community insights, needs, and their direct impact! Monique is a tremendous community leader and advocate and I am extremely proud of Lenfest for being a philanthropic supporter of Generocity!

Ernest Owens is an award-winning journalist and CEO of Ernest Media Empire. He is the the editor of Eater Philly, political writer-at-large for Philadelphia Magazine, and president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He is the executive producer and host of the hit podcast “Ernestly Speaking!” and “Philadelphia City Council Live” on WURD Radio. He’s the author of the book “The Case for Cancel Culture”, published by St. Martin’s Press.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would tell myself to never change due to others’ opinions — but to let them change their views instead. To trust my gut even if that means there will be some naysayers along the way. And to never do anything that doesn’t hold value — whether it’s monetized or intrinsic.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
Being a first-time author in 2023 was definitely a crowning achievement — it was an incredible way to expand my passion for writing and engaging my following. This year, I look forward to building upon the momentum and networks I developed after an amazing multi-city book tour.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
Documentaries and nonfiction books are a must: Read “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson, watch “I Am Not Your Negro” directed by Raoul Peck, read “Legacy” by Dr. Uché Blackstock, watch “Kokomo City” by D. Smith, read “Four Hundred Souls” edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain, watch “South to Black Power” directed by Llewellyn M. Smith and Sam Pollard.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists is the nation’s first organization of its kind that advocates for professional journalists of color. The nonprofit was founded in 1974 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! To learn more and donate, check out their website at www.thepabj.org.

Dr. Nikia Owens is the president and CEO of Campaign for Working Families, and provides the leadership and strategic direction for the organization. Owens has served in leadership roles in research, education and human services, and had positions on both state and local boards, working closely with state officials in analyzing public policy. Owens holds a bachelor of science and master’s degree of social work from Howard University, and a doctorate in social work planning, administration, and social science.

Mayor Cherelle Parker is the 100th mayor of Philadelphia, a mother to her son Langston, a former educator, two-term city council member, and five-term member of the Pennsylvania general assembly. She is the first woman and the first Black woman to be elected the city’s mayor. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Parker attended Philadelphia public schools and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lincoln University and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. Inspired to public service by Council Member Marian Tasco, for whom she interned, Cherelle worked in Tasco’s office and rose to serve as a senior staffer where she – among other things – oversaw the implementation of all economic and community development initiatives. She later made history as the youngest Black woman elected to the state House and was eventually elected to chair the House’s Philadelphia Delegation. A single mom, Cherelle lives in Northwest Philadelphia with her son, Langston and their dog, Max.

Brian Pollitt was born and raised in Philadelphia. Thirty-four years ago, he was hired as a bus operator at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). From the start Pollitt was active in the union. In 1993 he became a shop steward and then worked his way up, holding different union offices. He led negotiations for the past two contracts and in 2022 TWU members honored Pollitt by electing him president of TWU Local 234, SEPTA’s largest union.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Knowledge is power. I’m a voracious reader and a self-taught student of history. I wish I had found more time for academic study earlier in my life.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
In 2022 we negotiated a new contract that provides gains in wages, a bonus for all of our members and pension improvements. We also successfully bargained to limit forced overtime, increase time off the job, and to provide new training opportunities for union members. In 2023, we want to build on those gains and hold SEPTA’s feet to the fire on safety and security issues to better protect both TWU members and our passengers.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
“The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.” edited by Clayborne Carson. Carson is a King scholar and historian who teaches at Stanford University, where he also serves as founding director of the Martin Luther King Jr., Research and Education Institute.

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
My mentor was and still is TWU Local 234’s former president Willie Brown. Willie fought for TWU Local 234 members tooth and nail against injustice, discrimination and for better wages and benefits. He’s now at our national union helping workers all across the United States.

Marcel Pratt is the managing partner of the Philadelphia office of the Ballard Spahr law firm. He has successfully represented local and national clients in high-stakes litigation and has conducted sensitive investigations for private and public entities. Marcel previously served as the city solicitor of Philadelphia, the city’s chief legal officer; he was the youngest person in Philadelphia’s history to hold the office. He also serves on the boards of several major nonprofit organizations.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?
“The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration” by Isabel Wilkerson

Is there a person or organization doing particularly inspiring work that you would like to spotlight?
The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia helps address the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the city of Philadelphia and surrounding areas through programs, seminars, cultural events, and publications.

Dr. Camille Ragin is the associate director for diversity, equity, and inclusion and a professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control research program at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of the Temple University Health System. Her research focuses on cancer epidemiology and prevention primarily in Black populations. In 2012 she received an honorary citation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, for the international conference of the African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3), the annual meeting of the research group she founded in 2006, focussed on promoting collaboration between cancer researchers who focus their work on the African diaspora. She has led numerous multinational pooling data initiatives to examine genetic, molecular, and environmental contribution in carcinogenesis among populations of African origin.

Kelly Richards began his career in library services at Las Vegas Clark County Library District. He later led the Genesee District Library in Flint, Michigan, overseeing 19 branches. In January 2022, Richards became the president and director of The Free Library of Philadelphia. Through collaborations with key city officials, including city council, we witnessed branch renovations and received a budget increase, allowing for the hiring of new staff and the restoration of six-day service.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Be more resolute in your decision making. Don’t overthink it.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2023, and most looking forward to achieving in 2024?
In 2023, the Free Library achieved stable five-day service. In 2024, I hope that we achieve stable six-day service and look forward to adding Sunday Service, as well as expand educational programming and civic engagement opportunities in our communities.

Do you have any movie/music/book recommendations for readers to check out in celebration of Black History Month?

• “Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ : Every Day is a Good Day” by Rodney Scott 
• “Make It Super Simple” by G. Garvin
• “Glory” starring Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Andre Braugher
• “Right on Time” by Brothers Johnson 
• “Can’t Get Enough” by Barry White
• “Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G.’s