Civil Rights March on Washington 60th anniversary subject of free program Monday in Pottstown

POTTSTOWN — Nearly 60 years ago — on Aug. 28, 1963 — 250,000 people marched on Washington, D.C., to demonstrate in favor of equal job opportunities and equal freedoms for African Americans.

Ending at the Lincoln Memorial, the event featured speeches from the most prominent civil rights leaders, including A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Daisy Lee Bates, John Lewis, Roy Wilkins, and others. The event culminated with Martin Luther King Jr. giving his now-iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

On Monday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m., the TriCounty Active Adult Center, 288 Moser Road, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington and host a panel discussion exploring advancements in civil rights since the march, and the challenges still faced by Americans of color.

Moderated by Denise Williams of the Pottstown nonprofit BeRezilient, the commemoration features Dr. Matthew Washington, an assistant professor of history at Prairie View A&M University and author of the book, “The Jim Crow North: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Pottstown, Pennsylvania,” Dr. Stephanie Allen, Montgomery County Community College director of equity, diversity and belonging, and Yamilet Reyes, M.S., program coordinator of equity, diversity and belonging at Montgomery County Community College.

Freedom songs will be performed by local gospel singer Barbara Henley.

This event is free and open to the public.

Participant bios

• Dr. Matthew Washington is an assistant professor of history at Prairie View A&M University. He obtained his doctorate in philosophy in history from Morgan State University. His dissertation examines the history of Civil Rights and racial equality in Pottstown from the 1940s to the 1960s.

Washington has further expanded upon his doctoral work in his forthcoming book, ”The Jim Crow North: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Pottstown, Pennsylvania,” which will be published by the University Press of Kentucky in June 2024. While Washington’s interest in the Pottstown region is rooted in his younger years growing up outside the borough in nearby Stowe, his scholarly interest in local civil rights history was first awakened while completing his master’s degree in history at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

• Denise L. Williams, M.S. is the CEO and Founder of Be ReZilient, Healing Through the Arts. No matter who she serves, Williams believes it is essential to open the door of communication through trust, empathy, and compassion — meeting people where they are and allowing them to be unapologetically themselves. She continues to grow into her life’s purpose by merging her gifts to inspire and open the doors for healing and self-discovery for others through the power of art. She is a “relatable and transparent” coach, facilitator and motivational speaker who creates a safe space to provoke thought and change.

Her education includes a master of science in human services and a master of arts in leadership and accountability and she is a certified resilience coach and a certified therapeutic art coach. She is a member of the National Business Women’s Organization (NWBAO), Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and serves on Trellis for Tomorrow’s executive board as well as the internal affairs committee. Be ReZilient, Healing Through The Arts, is a 501c(3) established in 2019.

• Yamilet Reyes, M.S., is the program coordinator of equity, diversity and belonging at Montgomery County Community College. Her role, while primarily student-focused, provides programming, events, and resources for the college community that centers equity, diversity, and belonging. Reyes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in women’s and gender studies, a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, and a Master of Science in higher education policy and student affairs from West Chester University. Her education and experiences, both professional and personal, motivate and inform her work towards a sense of belonging for all.

• Dr. Stephanie R. Allen is the director of equity, diversity and belonging at Montgomery County Community College. Over the last 10-plus years, she has held key roles at West Chester University, Immaculata University, and most recently, The Baldwin School. Her robust experiences within multiple educational sectors have prepared her to lead the college’s equity, diversity, and belonging initiatives. In her previous roles, Allen has developed strategies to address the needs of students, faculty, staff, and other constituents, facilitate and mediate critical conversations, conduct assessments, and implement sustainable changes. In addition, she has created valuable educational moments through the triangulation of learning among stakeholders.

Allen holds her doctorate in education in educational leadership and administration from Widener University, a master of science in counselor education, and a bachelor of science in communication studies from West Chester University. In her free time, she loves spending time with her son, Samuel, and their pup, Shadow. In addition, Allen is a board member of Phoenixville Area School District, Rho Chi Community Uplift, and the Phoenixville Health and Wellness Taskforce, and the Montgomery County Advisory Council for Equity. She also serves as a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and the National Council of Negro Women.

• Barbara Henley is a traveling gospel singer. She is a member of Bethel Community Church of Pottstown where she shares her musical gifts with her church family.

The TriCounty Active Adult Center serves adults age 50 and older with programs and services including information and referral assistance, a free daily lunch, exercise programs, social activities, and more.  The mission of the TriCounty Active Adult Center is to enhance the wellbeing of older adults by providing services and activities that promote an independent and healthy lifestyle. Anyone living in the Tri-County area (Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties) 50 years of age or older is welcome to attend the center.  Learn more at www.TriCountyAAC.org.