McClinton to convene historic gathering of trailblazing House Speakers in Philadelphia
Rep. Joanna E. McClinton August 20, 2026 | 3:05 PM
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20 – Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Phila/Delaware, is convening her colleagues Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Illinois), Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown (Delaware), and Speaker Carl Heastie (New York) for a panel discussion at the historic Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia in September.
The event A More Perfect Union: from Independence to Inclusion, 250 years of American Democracy will be a candid discussion on the history, current state and future of democracy in America.
WHO: Speakers Joanna McClinton (Pa.), Emanuel “Chris” Welch (Ill.), Melissa Minor-Brown (Del.), and Speaker Carl Heastie (N.Y.).
WHAT: A More Perfect Union: from Independence to Inclusion, 250 years of American Democracy Panel Discussion.
WHEN: 10 – 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 10.
WHERE: Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia.
Tickets are free, but advanced registration is required. Those interested can visit McClinton’s Eventbrite for more information and to sign up. Media wishing to attend should contact Nicole Reigelman at nreigelman@pahouse.net.
This event is being held in conjunction with the historic convening of the state House in Congress Hall on Sept. 9, and America250PA is an event partner.
Other partners include: the Pennsylvania Black Caucus | United Way of Greater Pittsburgh | Black Democratic Women of Montgomery County | Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – Philadelphia | League of Women’s Voters – Philadelphia | Lawrence County Action - Democratic Committee | Liberty Resources Inc. | Federation of Democratic Women | Indiana County | William Way LGBT Community Center | Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice | National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. – Pennsylvania Chapter | The Coalition of Culturally Competent Providers | Netter Center for Community Partnerships – University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus | PA Youth Vote |
The Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs | Committee of Seventy | Philadelphia Commission Human Relations | The Links Inc. – Harrisburg Chapter.
McClinton is the first woman and second African American to serve as Pennsylvania Speaker