John,
February marks Black History Month, a time for celebration, joy, and reflection on the incredible contributions and achievements of Black people throughout history.
A fun fact is that Pennsylvania has the two oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the nation: Cheyney University and The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, where our very own CEO, Kadida Kenner, is a proud alumna. The affiliated organization, New PA Project Education Fund, is proud to engage students on both campuses throughout the year, assisting eligible students in registering to vote and ensuring they have what they need to vote their values in every election, twice a year.
Cheyney University was the first-ever institution of higher learning for Black Americans, established in 1837. It was founded by Richard Humphreys, a silversmith and Quaker philanthropist. He left $10,000 (a tenth of his estate) in his will to establish the school with the goal of providing Black youth with the skills needed to become teachers and tradespeople. Today, Cheyney has over 30,000 graduates, including Bayard Rustin, a prominent civil rights activist who helped organize the March on Washington in 1963.
The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, originally The Ashmun Institute, was the first degree-granting institution of higher education for Black male students to study the arts and sciences. Founded by John Miller Dickey and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson, Lincoln is known for its distinguished faculty and rigorous curriculum. According to their website, Lincoln graduated approximately 20 percent of the Black physicians and more than 10 percent of the Black attorneys in the nation. Alumni, including; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, famed poet Langston Hughes, and even NPP’s CEO Kadida Kenner, are shaping society today, leading nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, prominent faith institutions, and making an impact across civil service, creative industries, and entertainment.
Here’s the deal: In order to deepen our democracy, we must ensure that young people are informed, engaged, and active participants in the democratic process. The staff of the affiliated organization, New PA Project Education Fund, is present on these campuses and engages students in conversations about protecting and expanding voting rights, the role of the state judiciary, and environmental and climate justice.
We are proud of this work and the future that we are building – that’s why centering the youth (17-34) is one of our top priorities. In honor of Black History Month, will you chip in $25 right now to help us engage young voters at college campuses and universities across the Commonwealth, such as Cheyney and Lincoln, today?
Thank you,
Team NPP
