Back to School Program in Philadelphia: Thursday, September 29th, 2016
Back to School with the HistoryMakers involved 400 HistoryMakers in schools in 51 cities and 28 states across the U.S.
The theme of the day is COMMIT. Black leaders will recount their own school experiences and the struggles that they encountered on their paths to success. They will also encourage students to take a pledge to COMMIT to their education.
- As the country endures tense discussions around race relations related to police shootings and the presidential campaign, the HistoryMakers are organizing influential African Americans across the country to visit local classrooms and share their stories of success and challenges they overcame.
Philly Speaks had the opportunity to interview the following Local HistoryMakers:
Dr. Frederic Bertley, Senior Vice President of Science and Education, scientist and educator Dr. Frederic Bertley oversees the Science Department along with other departments and programs aimed at improving the quality of science education throughout the K-16 population as well as improving science literacy for families and the non-scientist adult population.
Norma Pratt, President and CEO of Rodgers Travel. In the 1990s, Pratt enrolled her company, which she incorporated years earlier, into the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) business development program. With infrastructure assistance from the federal program, Pratt was able to secure a $10 million yearly contract with Scott Air Force Base in St. Clair County, Illinois in 1991, Rodgers’ first federal government contract.
Honorable Reverend Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Former and First African American Mayor of Philadelphia in 1983. His support reached across racial and economic lines and he served two terms as mayor, leaving office in 1992. Goode remains a pillar of the Philadelphia community. He received his doctorate of ministry in May 2000. He is the senior adviser on faith-based initiatives and serves as chairman of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
By: Tiffanie Stanard, Host/Producer @Philly_Speaks
