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Hello Neighbors, Community Members and Friends,
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Happy Friday! It’s been a long but amazing week in Harrisburg. The sun is finally shining and bringing warmth to the 164th Legislative District. I’m even more grateful for the passion and grit on display at the Capitol during Black Maternal Health Week.
To my co-chairs of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, the advocates and volunteers who joined us, my fellow legislators, and every person who supported our efforts this week: thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.
Please find a full recap of all our events for the Black Maternal Health Week at the Capitol below!
The Lansdowne Theater had its official reopening ceremony on Friday night, commemorating the long-awaited celebration of all those who made this incredible project possible. The theater is a beautiful space and will continue to bring the Lansdowne community together, creating opportunities for small business growth and community investment for years to come.
In other great news for our community, thank you to everyone who filled out our petition to stop PECO from raising rates next year, submitted public comments, or otherwise contacted PECO and the Public Utilities Commission to express your concerns. On Wednesday, PECO announced that it will not raise its rates. This is a huge win for affordability in Delaware County. It really shows the impact that collective action can have for all of us!
In service,
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In the Capitol: Black Maternal Health Week 2026!
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We kicked off Black Maternal Health Week grounded in this year’s powerful theme from Black Mamas Matter Alliance: Joy and Justice.
On Monday, we gathered for a fireside chat in the Capitol Media Center, where Anjelica Sanders, Chief of Staff in Rep. Cephas’ office and a key leader on the Black Maternal Health Caucus team, guided a thoughtful conversation about our work and shared mission.
Rep. Mayes and I reflected on the past four years—how the Black Maternal Health Caucus began, the early groundwork we laid, and the legislative progress we’ve made along the way. It was a meaningful opportunity to look back while staying focused on what lies ahead.
Our mission remains clear, but our goals and initiatives continue to grow alongside this movement as we work to navigate and find solutions to the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis in Pennsylvania. This week served as both a reminder of how far we’ve come and a call to action for the work still needed to ensure better outcomes for Black mothers across our Commonwealth and throughout the nation.
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During afternoon voting session, I gave remarks before the vote on House Resolution 451, marking April 11–17 as “Black Maternal Health Week in Pennsylvania.” This awareness week is an important, if symbolic, way to raise awareness of the Black maternal mortality crisis throughout Pennsylvania and nationwide, and I am proud to sponsor this resolution annually.
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After Monday’s session, we hosted a reception in the East Wing Rotunda for everyone who came out to Harrisburg to speak, volunteer, advocate, and show support, and to enjoy refreshments and mingle. My co-chairs and I had time to speak about our initiatives this year, provide a progress report, and thank everyone for standing with us.
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Day 2 of Black Maternal Health Week began with an early Tuesday press conference focused on the urgent need to improve care and outcomes for Black birthing mothers. We were joined by an outstanding group of speakers who helped elevate both the challenges and the path forward.
Our keynote speakers, Mercedes Wells and her husband, Leon Wells of Illinois, shared their deeply distressing experience during labor. After being discharged far too early, they faced a frightening situation that led to their baby being born just moments later on the side of the road—an experience that underscores the very real consequences of gaps in care.
The press conference was moderated by Philadelphia’s own Power 99 host, Roxy Romeo, and also featured remarks from PA Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen, Gerria Coffee, cofounder and president of the PA Doula Commission, and Joanne Craig of the Foundation for Delaware County, as well as all three co-founders and co-chairs of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus.
I encourage you to take time to watch the full press conference to hear these powerful stories, along with remarks from me and Reps. Mayes and Cephas.
You can watch the whole press conference here to hear their stories – and hear from me and Reps. Mayes and Cephas, too.
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Midday, we held a Brunch & Learn back in the Media Center, where we continued to share important information about the Black maternal health crisis and what we can do to ensure the health and safety of these mothers are front and center.
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And finally, we hosted a policy hearing with the House Majority Policy Committee about Black Maternal Health and Hospital Accountability, where we heard testimony from advocates and hospital professionals about adequacy of care, the legislation we have proposed and plan to propose, and the significant impact the maternal health crisis has on our communities and Commonwealth. You can watch the whole hearing here.
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I am so incredibly proud of the work that went into these two days of advocacy and deeply grateful to every person who helped bring it all together. Like it takes a village to raise a family, it takes a village to strengthen our voices, lift them up, and get this important work done. What an incredible week!
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Welcoming Guests to the House chamber
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We were proud to host Mercedes Wells and her husband, Leon Wells, in the House chamber as our guests while they were in town for Black Maternal Health Week. Her story is only one of thousands like it, and we appreciate her being here to share it with us.
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2026 International Study Group
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I had the pleasure of participating in the 2026 International Study Group trip to Germany in March. It was a collaborative project of the PSBA Institute and the American Council on Germany. A group of superintendents, school administrators, and a representative from the Ministry of Education from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia visited Pennsylvania this week as part of the exchange, including a visit to Harrisburg and several stops across the state to observe and learn more about education systems here in Pennsylvania. We were excited to welcome them to the Capitol and participate in a bipartisan roundtable lunch and discussion with our visitors about the similarities and differences in what we learned from both countries.
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Lansdowne Theater Official Re-Opening Celebration
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In the heart of downtown Lansdowne, within the 164th Legislative District, this theater represents renewed energy and opportunity. It will not only host performances but also serve as a hub for bringing neighbors together, supporting local businesses, and inspiring future generations. I was also honored to receive an acknowledgment and an award of appreciation for my active role in securing state funding to help bring the project to fruition. Congratulations to the board and the Friends of the Lansdowne Theater, Mayor Byrne, Lansdowne Borough, and the community that will enjoy this beautiful theater for generations to come.
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Hosting the William Penn School District
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These students and staff from the William Penn School District were hosted by the Honorable Speaker Joanna McClinton on Tuesday, April 14th, as part of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Students from across the William Penn School District were represented at nearly every level, elementary, junior high, and high school. They were excited to speak with the Representatives who also serve the district and were glad to hear that others enjoyed the Capitol tour during their visit.
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You could be the designer of Upper Darby’s new flag!
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Could you proudly represent Upper Darby Township in an original flag design? UD Township is inviting artists, students, and community members in high school and older to submit original artwork that could be selected as UD’s newest flag.
Each participant can submit up to two designs. AI-generated artwork will not be accepted.
The deadline to submit is May 1, 2026.
For more information, competition rules, and file requirements, visit www.upperdarby.org/flagdesigncompetition.
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Thursday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
SEPTA Drives the Economy small business event
Twentieth Century Club, 84 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne
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Saturday, May 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Youth Career Fair
Beverly Hills Middle School, 1400 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby
Register here
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Friday, April 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Naylor’s Run Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
1500 Garrett Rd., Upper Darby
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Saturday, April 25
Unstoppable: A Girls Summit
Penn State Brandywine
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Saturday, May 2 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Upper Darby Township Annual Mental Health Fair
Observatory Park
101 Tobacco Rd, Upper Darby Township, PA 19082
RSVP to MBillupscouncil@upperdarby.org or 610-564-2856
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Saturday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m.
Laura’s Children Foundation 1 Mile & More walk/run
Bonner-Prendie High School
403 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
25-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4907
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District Office
1500 Garrett Rd.
Upper Darby, PA 19082
(610) 259-7016
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If you need assistance with any state-related issue, you can reach out to my office.
Thank you for letting our team proudly serve you, your families, and the stakeholders in the 164th in East Lansdowne, Lansdowne, Milbourne, and Upper Darby.
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