PCHR announces winners of the 2024 Social Justice Awards

PHILADELPHIA - Each year, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) honors individuals and organizations for their exemplary work toward eliminating discrimination and advancing human and civil rights in Philadelphia.

Held each October to celebrate Human Relations Month, the Social Justice Awards returns after a hiatus with a new name, but the same mission - celebrate and honor Philadelphians working throughout to uphold the "Spirit of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection."

This year's awards will be hosted by Shaynah Ferreira, Anchor and Reporter for "Good Day Philadelphia" on WTXF-FOX 29 on Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Free Library of Philadelphia at 1901 Vine St., in the Skyline Room from 1-3 p.m.

"The Social Justice Awards Luncheon is an opportunity to honor those who have gone above and beyond to foster understanding and break down barriers in our diverse city," said Kia Ghee, PCHR Executive Director. "This year's honorees exemplify the leadership and dedication needed to create a more just and inclusive Philadelphia. Their efforts remind us of the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals and ensuring our city remains a place where everyone can thrive."

The awards are given for Community Service, Arts & Culture, and Law Enforcement/Public Service. The Clarence Farmer Award is given in memory of PCHR's first Chairman, a significant figure in Philadelphia's civil rights landscape and a prominent advocate for social justice.

This year's winners are:

Social Justice Award for Community Service:

• Nikki Bagby - Nikki Bagby is the Founder of The International People's Storehouse (T.I.P.S.), a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving underserved communities in Philadelphia. For over 22 years, Bagby has hosted an annual holiday event, providing gifts, toys, and essential household items to more than 30,000 individuals and distributing over 100,000 items to families in need. Her efforts have had a profound impact on families across the city, particularly in the Nicetown neighborhood, where she resides. In addition to her holiday initiatives, Bagby works tirelessly to address health disparities and promote sustainable solutions to the inequities affecting impoverished communities. Through her leadership with T.I.P.S., she aims to break down barriers and create lasting change by advocating for social and economic equality in underserved areas. Bagby's dedication reflects her commitment to building a more just and equitable society for all.
• Rosalind Pichardo - Rosalind Pichardo is an activist, educator, and survivor whose life has been profoundly impacted by gun violence and personal tragedy. After surviving an attempted homicide and losing her boyfriend, twin sister, and brother to violence and suicide, she founded Operation Save Our City in 2012 to advocate for justice on behalf of homicide victims. Pichardo is also a leader in overdose prevention, having worked at Prevention Point, where she trained thousands in administering Narcan and personally reversed more than 1,049 opioid overdoses on Philadelphia's streets. In addition to her advocacy work, Pichardo collaborates with the DEA to provide art and programming for at-risk youth suffering from trauma in underserved communities. She also serves as a Trauma Victims Advocate at Temple University Hospital's Emergency Department. Her story and efforts have been highlighted in several documentaries, including Hello SUNSHINE, Kensington Crisis, and Tipping the Pain Scale, showcasing her relentless activism and dedication to creating change in her community.
• Mary Kalyna - Mary Kalyna is a community organizer, Ukrainian activist, and co-founder of "Euromaidan Philadelphia - Human Rights in Ukraine," which she started in 2013 to support the movement for justice and democracy in Ukraine. Kalyna was born in upstate New York. Her parents were both put in Nazi slave labor camps as teenagers, where they remained for five years. In 1947, her father's parents were sent to Siberian labor camps, where her grandmother - and perhaps millions of others - perished of disease, starvation, and brutal treatment. Kalyna graduated from Cornell University and holds an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's famed Wharton School. She has been quoted in much of the coverage over the past decade of the crisis in Ukraine by the major news media in the Delaware Valley. She currently leads grassroots efforts to promote civic engagement among Ukrainian Americans in the national and local election cycles.

Social Justice Award for Arts & Culture:

• Jacen Bowman - Jacen Bowman, a Philadelphia-born beauty editor, makeup artist, and ballroom icon, has embraced self-acceptance and authenticity since a young age. Guided by his mother's wisdom to "be true to yourself," Bowman has built a successful career, contributing beauty expertise on FOX 29 Good Day Philadelphia and working with top designers and publications. His talent extends to film, where he was the lead makeup artist for the Oscar-nominated documentary I Am Not Your Negro. Bowman's influence goes beyond beauty; he is also an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly the Black and brown queer ballroom scene. Bowman played a pivotal role in the creation of the "mural of love" at 13th and Spruce, a tribute to the ballroom community's resilience and bravery, especially honoring trans men and women. The mural celebrates prominent figures in Philadelphia's ballroom culture and memorializes those lost. The ballroom scene, which began in the 1960s, reached mainstream recognition through Madonna's "Vogue" and has recently experienced a revival with Beyoncé's Renaissance. Bowman's contributions continue to honor the legacy and strength of this vibrant community.
• James Claiborne - James Claiborne is the Deputy Director for Community Engagement at the Barnes Foundation, bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit cultural sector. He previously served as Curator of Public Programs at the Barnes and Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Programs at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. Currently, Claiborne focuses on strengthening the Barnes Foundation's relationships with artistic and programmatic partners in the Philadelphia region and beyond. Claiborne is responsible for developing and assessing public and family programs that align with the Barnes Foundation's artistic, educational, and social missions. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in shaping inclusive cultural programming and expanding the role of museums as centers for creative inquiry and community engagement.
• Chanel Holland - Chanel Holland is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Chocolate Ballerina Company, a contemporary dance organization based in Philadelphia. She is a versatile choreographer, specializing in traditional ballet, modern, jazz, and hip-hop, and is dedicated to teaching the Russian Vaganova technique to inner-city youth. As a lead teaching artist for BalletX's Dance eXchange program, Holland helps bring dance education to schools. She began her prestigious training at 16 when she was accepted into The Alvin Ailey School and further honed her skills at institutions like Koresh and the National Dance Institute NYC. Holland founded the Chocolate Ballerina Company in response to the lack of ballet culture in urban communities and the limited opportunities for Black artists in the field. Her company focuses on creating culturally aware and significant works that inspire change. Through her leadership, the organization not only provides performance opportunities for Black artists but also aims to bridge the gap in access to classical dance forms for underrepresented communities.

Social Justice Award for Law Enforcement/Public Service:

• James Washington - James Washington serves as the Climate Manager at Russell H. Conwell Middle School, where he plays multiple roles including disciplinarian, coach, mentor, role model, and teacher. A retired police officer, Washington brings his experience from the Police Athletic League to the school, located in the heart of Kensington, an area heavily affected by the opioid crisis. His presence provides students, parents, and staff with a sense of safety and stability. In addition to fostering a secure environment, Washington focuses on social-emotional learning, introducing students to the six pillars of Character Counts! - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. His efforts aim to build character and life skills among students, helping them navigate personal and academic challenges.
• Inspector Jarreau Thomas - Inspector Jarreau W. Thomas is a 21-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, currently serving as the Commanding Officer of the Community Relations Division. Throughout his career, he has been committed to building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community, working to improve the public perception of contemporary policing. In his previous role as Captain of the 16th Police District, Inspector Thomas created youth engagement programs through the Police Athletic League to foster trust and collaboration. In addition to his work in the 16th District, Inspector Thomas has also served in the 35th, 22nd, and 39th Police Districts, where he continued his efforts to bridge the gap between police officers and the communities they serve. His leadership is focused on community engagement and promoting a balanced and positive narrative around policing.
• Christopher Fitzgerald (posthumous acknowledgment) - Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald is remembered as a dedicated public servant and family man who made a lasting impact on the communities he served. Over his 16-month tenure at Temple, and previous roles with the Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office, Sugar Land Police Department in Texas, and as a Lehigh County corrections officer, he was deeply committed to mentoring local youth and fostering positive relationships with students and community members. Sgt. Fitzgerald aimed to break down barriers of mistrust by actively participating in outreach activities, drawing inspiration from his parents, who served as Philadelphia police officers. Sgt. Fitzgerald's passion for law enforcement led him to follow in his parents' footsteps, graduating from the Police Academy in 2017. Tragically, his life was cut short when he sustained fatal gunshot wounds while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on February 18, 2023. His legacy lives on through his efforts to build bridges between law enforcement and the community, and his commitment to public service remains an inspiration.
• Deputy Commissioner Myesha Massey - Deputy Commissioner Myesha Massey has dedicated over 26 years to the Philadelphia Police Department, working with organizations like the Women's Law Project, WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence, and the Philadelphia Children's Alliance during her tenure at the Special Victims Unit. She made history as the first female Captain of the 35th Police District, where she introduced innovative community policing strategies. Her efforts included adopting Belfield, Sturgis, and Stenton Recreation Centers to create safe spaces for youth and partnering with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for gun buyback programs. These initiatives have contributed to a safer and more inclusive district. Additionally, she led efforts to remove public nuisances, enhancing the safety and vibrancy of local neighborhoods. One of her proudest achievements was founding a mentoring program for young women at Philadelphia High School for Girls. Deputy Commissioner Massey's career has been defined by her commitment to serving and uplifting her community.

The Clarence Farmer Award:

• State Representative Joanna McClinton - Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Joanna McClinton is a lifelong resident of southwest Philadelphia. She is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant Public Defender for seven years and became Assistant Chief of the East Zone, helping attorneys with case preparation. In 2013, she combined her passion for public service and law by becoming chief counsel to state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, where she worked behind the scenes to develop policy and legislation, organize expungement fairs and public policy forums, and assist constituents. She was first elected in 2015 to serve communities in west and southwest Philadelphia, and Yeadon and Darby in Delaware County. As a state lawmaker, she has made history three times! First in 2018 when she became the first woman and first African American to be elected as House Democratic Caucus Chair, and again in 2020, when she was the first woman elected House Democratic Leader in the institution's 244-year history. In 2023, she was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House - the first woman to serve in that position in the nation's oldest legislature. Speaker McClinton has earned several distinctions for her commitment to public service including City and State PA's 40 Under 40, Power of Diversity: Black 100, and Above & Beyond lists, the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia's Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year award, Fun Time Magazine's Women of Influence Award, the PRE-K for PA Champion award, the Lucien E. Blackwell Guiding Light Community award, the Black Gala Women of Excellence; Politico Recast's Power List 2022 and as a NewDeal Rising Leader in 2023.

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Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) is the City's official civil rights agency. Our mission is to fight discrimination, promote equality, and build strong communities.

PCHR works with residents to help them develop the skills necessary to solve disputes without resorting to violence. Our Dispute Resolution Program offers mediation and conflict resolution services to neighbors and others who are experiencing conflict that is not currently in court and has not already escalated to violence. For more information, visit our website at phila.gov/humanrelations.

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