HARRISBURG, March 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus has announced four honorees for the 2026 Crystal Bird Fauset Award, which recognizes the contributions of Black women as leaders across Pennsylvania. This year’s honorees include: Ciera Dent , Mayor of Steelton Borough Marita Garrett , former Mayor of Wilkinsburg Borough and current CEO, Civically Inc. La Tasha Williams , Judge of the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas Jamila Winder , Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chair “These phenomenal leaders embody the spirit of service, resilience and dedication to justice and opportunity for all,” said state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, Chair of the PLBC. “Their work continues to inspire the next generation of changemakers and reflects the powerful legacy of public leadership in our communities.” The award is named for former Rep. Crystal Bird Fauset, who was the first Black female state legislator elected in the United States. The award honorees will be recognized online on March 26. The event will be streamed on the PLBC Facebook account . Read more
Sometimes legislation is long and complicated and sometimes it is not complicated at all. Cursive is making a comeback in Pennsylvania because of a 7-word bill! Read more
Join us as we remember the Six Triple Eight, the only all female, all African American battalion to serve in World War II with a screening of the movie The Six Triple Eight (2024). Light refreshments and information on state resources will be provided. Read more
Stephen Covey wanted us all to be our best selves. The author who penned such books like "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Principle Centered Leadership" has articulated practices that can help us all live balanced and rewarding lives. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 23 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, has issued the following statement commending Gov. Josh Shapiro for flying flags at half-staff in honor of the Rev. Jesse Jackson . “Reverend Jackson was a giant in American history,” said Nelson. “He fought endlessly for justice and taught us that faith without action is incomplete. “We commend Gov. Shapiro for taking this step to recognize Rev. Jackson and his life’s work, while encouraging all Pennsylvanians to observe this tribute and carry his memory with us.” Jackson, a longtime civil rights leader and protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., died earlier this month. Shapiro’s order will require all U.S. and commonwealth flags on state facilities, public buildings, and grounds across Pennsylvania to be flown at half-staff in Jackson’s memory until March 7, the final day of his memorial services. Similar declarations have been made in several other states. No such declaration has been made at the federal level. Read more
Lately, I have been thinking about how different kinds of milestones can all nudge us in the same direction. On one hand, many of us just spent time cheering on Olympic athletes, marveling at the kind of discipline it takes to train for years for a moment that lasts seconds. On the other, members of our community are entering sacred seasons like Lent and the upcoming Ramadan, times centered on reflection, generosity, and renewal. Read more
My team and I will be out in the community to connect you with various state resources! Call (215) 572-5210 or email RepNelson@pahouse.net to RSVP. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 17 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus issued the following statement on the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. “A giant has transitioned, but his legacy will never leave us. Rev. Jackson taught us that faith without action is incomplete, that justice is worth the fight, and that ordinary people can create extraordinary change. “Because of his courage, generations have more room to dream, lead, and demand dignity. May we honor him by continuing his life’s work, lifting our communities, speaking truth, and never letting hope go silent.” Jackson, who died on Tuesday, was a long-time civil rights leader, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and a two-time presidential candidate. Read more
We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. We’ve hoped and prayed for this. We’ve told stories of the last time this phenomenon occurred. Songs have been written about this moment and so many folks began to doubt whether it would ever come to pass, but it’s here. The temperature is finally going to remain above freezing this week! Won’t he do it! Read more
New Year’s Day clearly holds its significance, and, in my house, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend really marks the end of the holiday season. But here in Harrisburg, the Governor giving his annual budget address sets the stage for the year. Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 6 – The Pennsylvania House has advanced three measures this week, including two introduced by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, that will serve to recognize the history and contributions made by Black communities to the United States. The House adopted H.R. 401 with overwhelming bipartisan support, which recognizes February 2026 as the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Established in 1926, Black History Month was first recognized federally in 1976. “As we mark the centennial year of Black History Month and the 250th anniversary of our nation, I am proud to have so many of my colleagues come together and recognize that Black history is American history and recommit our efforts to justice and equity,” said Nelson, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. The House State Government Committee this week also advanced H.B. 1806 , which would designate March 9 of each year as “6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day,” recognizing the service of the only all African American and all-female battalion deployed during World War II. Eighty-one of the 850 women in the battalion were residents of Pennsylvania when they enlisted. “The contributions that Black women have made to our history have often been forgotten or ignored, especially in the military,” Nelson said. “However, the resilience and patriotism of these women helped to ensure our Read more
READING, Feb. 4 – State Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz and Napoleon Nelson, chairs of the Pennsylvania Legislative Latino Caucus and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, respectively, today issued the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s purchase of a 520,000-square-foot warehouse to be used as an immigration detention facility: “Across this country, ICE enforcement has led to devastating consequences for families and communities -- including family separation, aggressive raids, and the targeting of individuals who pose no threat to public safety. These actions have created fear and instability, particularly within immigrant communities,” Cepeda-Freytiz said. “Now, ICE is preparing to establish a detention operation in Berks County. This decision risks provoking fear, disrupting families, and endangering the wellbeing of our neighbors -- regardless of citizenship status. The pattern of cruelty and lack of accountability we have seen from ICE has no place in Berks County or anywhere in Pennsylvania. “Berks County has faced an ICE detention facility before, and after years of sustained community advocacy, that center ultimately closed. That history matters. “While many questions remain about the scope and operations of this proposed facility, I will continue to use every tool available to demand transparency, protect due process, and stand with our Read more
“The cruelty is the point,” a phrase coined by journalist Adam Serwer, remains one of the clearest ways to understand the Trump Administration’s approach to immigration and governing at large. The term first gained prominence in 2018, when family separation policies placed migrant children in detention cages while their parents were deported. Those actions were not accidental. They were meant to be cruel, to inflict harm as a deterrent. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 30 – The executive team of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus have issued the following statement recognizing February 2026 as the 100th annual Black History Month. Black History Month was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson in his work founding the group now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The celebration, formerly known as Negro History Week, expanded into Black History Month in 1970, with the first federal recognition coming from President Gerald Ford in 1976. “This year marks not only the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, but also the 250th anniversary of our nation,” said Rep. Napoleon Nelson, chair of the PLBC. “Black history is American history, and it has made our nation what it is today. Especially now, it is important that we reflect on our history and use it to shape a more just future for people of color across Pennsylvania and our nation.” “Considering no one can erase what we have built, we cannot let one person’s actions define our present, erase our past and preserve our future. We will do that,” said Rep. Darisha Parker , vice chair of the PLBC. “And we will continue to do so by strategically supporting, uplifting and empowering Black communities. No weapon formed against us shall prosper.” “In this perilous time, it has never been more clear that preserving and Read more
I’ve got my fingers crossed. Forecasters are calling for 8-16 inches of snow this weekend. The grocery stores will be crazy on Saturday. Hardware stores are looking forward to seeing everyone to sell salt and shovels. Read more
JENKINTOWN, Jan. 21 – The Commonwealth Financing Authority this week approved more than $1.5 million in grant funds to four projects in the 154th Legislative District, announced state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery. “I’m excited to bring this much needed funding that will help complete key infrastructure programs and increase safety for pedestrians,” Nelson said. “I look forward to continuing working with our municipalities to secure funding like this again to help prevent municipalities from having to raise taxes on residents while improving the quality of life.” Projects funded by the Multimodal Transportation Fund include: $750,000 to replace a culvert along West Glenside Avenue in Cheltenham Township. $250,000 to support pedestrian safety improvements along High School Road in the East Elkins Park neighborhood of Cheltenham Township. Projects funded by the Small Water and Sewer Program include: $427,474 to support the replacement of collapsed storm pipe along Valley Road in Cheltenham Township. $97,194 to support cleaning and replacement of a sanitary sewer meter in Jenkintown. Read more
It’s MLK weekend, 2026! We often think of MLK’s legacy as a civil rights champion, an advocate for economic justice, and a powerful organizer with a vision for an inclusive nation. What has hit me the most this year, is how much of the legacy of Dr. King is really due to a dedication to continuous learning and an openness to being inspired. Read more
Have you ever heard an expression that makes absolutely no sense, or means the opposite of what it sounds like? English can be funny that way. I’m not just talking about expressions that we misquote like “I could care less.” Sometimes the English language and our colloquialisms are befuddling! Where am I going with this random musing? Read more
I’ve been serving this community for five years now. This year has been a challenging one for me and my staff. Budget delays and shutdowns have caused a high degree of uncertainty. Benefit programs for the sick and hungry, public transit cuts, environmental justice rollbacks, civil rights protections lost, disadvantaged business supports gutted… I will say again, 2025 has been a challenging year. Read more
We all know that the New Year is quickly approaching. I wish you and your family a great holiday season filled with love and good food! Read more
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