Black History Speaker Series

In February and March 2010, the Parents Association of Greene Street Friends School will host three dynamic speakers as part of the School’s celebration of Black History Month. Parent Claire Lomax organized the series. Claire notes, “I hope that the speaker series will broaden the definition of black history to include people who are currently history makers. I want to offer the greater Greene Street Friends community the opportunity for personal interaction with these prominent Philadelphians.”

The first event on Wednesday, February 3, features Greene Street graduate Todd Bernstein, who helped Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and Atlanta Congressman John Lewis start the national Martin Luther King Day of Service. In 1996, Bernstein founded the first King Day of Service here in Philadelphia. Over the past fifteen years, nearly 600,000 volunteers have participated throughout our region, including more than 70,000 in 1,100 projects this January. From 2006-2008, Bernstein served as director of the King Day of Service National Expansion Initiative through the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, D.C. Greene Street Friends School has participated in the Day of Service for eleven years and has hundreds of participants of all ages each year. Todd’s career of public service embodies the School’s values of integrity and equality.

The Black History Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. These events are suitable for adults and children 10 years of age and older. Space is limited, so please let the school know if you are coming. RVSP by email to Hannah Kalkstein at hkalkstein@greenestreetfriends.org or by phone to 215-438-7000 ext 120.

The History of Martin Luther King Day of Service

Wednesday evening, February 3, 2010 - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Green Street Meetinghouse, 45 West School House Lane

Todd Bernstein, President of Global Citizen and Greene Street Friends School alumnus, will talk about how the MLK Day of Service began in Philadelphia and spread throughout the country. Bernstein will give his reflections on Dr. King, share why he was inspired to organize the MLK Day of Service, and discuss its future direction. He will also talk about how civic engagement and community service are critical to realizing Dr. King’s vision of social justice.

The Work of a Writer, Professor and Cultural Activist 

Monday evening, March 8, 2010 - 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Hargroves House, 61 West School House Lane

Lorene Cary, author of “The Price of a Child” about the Underground Railroad, the first book selected for the “One Book One Philadelphia” reading program, will read from her book and answer questions. Greene Street Friends School’s Parents Association and the Green Street Monthly Meeting have selected “The Price of a Child” as the second book in their jointly sponsored Community Read series. In addition to reading from “The Price of a Child,” Carey will discuss her work at Art Sanctuary, an organization that focuses on regional and national talent among African Americans in literary, visual, and performing arts, and will also talk about the other projects in which she is engaged.

The Process of Documenting a Life 

Wednesday, March 17, 2010 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Greene Street Friends Auditorium, 20 West Armat Street

Louis Massiah, award-winning documentary filmmaker, is the founder and executive director of Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia. At Scribe, Massiah has facilitated and produced over 200 documentaries covering major issues and concerns facing urban communities. He will show clips from some of his films and discuss the work he is doing on his project, “Precious Places Community History Project,” a citywide oral history portrait composed of short documentaries produced with neighborhood organizations in Philadelphia and throughout the region.