Since the release of our save-the-date memo for 2023 (which you can read at the bottom of the page), the Blair County NAACP Branch #2252 has received information on additional diversity-focused programming in our area! Though some of the events have passed at the time of this posting, there is still plenty of time to get out and get educated on the Black & Brown Experience in America. The following is a list of events for Black History Month in Blair County:

1. On January 23, 2023, Penn State Altoona hosted a screening of the movie “Till” at 6PM in the Harry E. Slep Student Center.
2. On February 1, 2023, Penn State Altoona hosted nationally-known author Odell Bizell, who spoke on “When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Meets Malcolm X” at 6PM in the Harry E. Slep Student Center.
3. On February 11, 2023, Paige Lightner (Blair County NAACP 2nd Vice President and CEO of Pa’je’s Potions & Pa’je’s Productions) organized and hosted a Go-Go Themed Adult Prom with Pennsoulvania, Inc. to benefit the African American Heritage Festival 2023.
4. On February 12, 2023, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (One of Blair County’s historic Underground Railroad stops) screened a Black History Movie from 2PM to 5PM.
5. On February 15, 2023, the Blair County NAACP Branch #2252 is hosting its monthly meeting at 6:30 PM, at the Blair County Community Action Agency building (2301 Beale Ave, Altoona, PA, 16601).
6. On February 16, 2023, Penn State Altoona is hosting a poetry reading by Cameron Barnett, author of “The Drowning Boy’s Guide to Water” at 12:15 in the Titleman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for the Performing Arts.
7. Also on February 16, 2023, the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation is hosting the Shared Legacies Dinner and a film screening. If you did not place reservations for the Dinner, which is taking place at 5:30PM at the Agudath Achim Social Hall, there is no requirement for reservations to attend the film screening at 7PM at the Downtown Devorris Center (1431 12th Avenue, Altoona, PA). From the federation:
   “SHARED LEGACIES is a documentary that recounts the crucial historical lessons of Black-Jewish cooperation during the Civil Rights movement. This potent, inspiring story of unity, empathy and partnership validates the ubiquity of the human experience and how freedom and equality for all can be achieved only when people come together.” The film is $5/person, unless you are a student, for whom it is free. Payments by check can be made to the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation (PO Box 224, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) or via credit card by visit www.greateraltoonajewishfederation.org and clicking on the large orange DONATE button.
8. On February 19-20, 2023, Penn State Altoona is hosting its 23rd Annual African American Read-in. Reservations are closed for the Sunday dinner event, but more information on the AARI can be found here.
9. On February 23, 2023, Harriet Gaston (founder of Blair County’s African-American Heritage Project and resident NAACP Branch #2252 historian) is presenting on “The Educational History of Hollidaysburg’s Black Residents: Overcoming and Thriving” at 6:30PM at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library.
10. On February 24, 2023, ArtsAltoona is giving anyone who missed their opportunity to view “Till” at Penn State Altoona another chance to see! At 6PM at ArtsAltoona HQ, “Till” will be screened, followed by a panel discussion on themes from the movie. Among the panelists is Blair County NAACP President Andrae Holsey. For more information, individuals may contact them at info@ArtsAltoona.org .
11. On February 26, 2023, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is screening another Black History Month Movie. If you missed your chance to go on February 12th, this is a fantastic 2nd opportunity to view an informative film on the Black & Brown Experience in America.

For more information on upcoming events involving the NAACP or our community partners, feel free to view the list of Blair County NAACP-sponsored/supported events approved for release by the Officers and Executive Committee of Branch #2252. As this memorandum was approved on December 14, 2022, there will be additional events throughout the year posted on this page.

After long-time Blair County NAACP President Donald E. Witherspoon passed, community leaders and activists scrambled to find ways to maintain his legacy and create a new sense of purpose in Blair County and beyond. On June 25, 2021, Neil Rudel (Chief Editor of the Altoona Mirror), Steve Sheetz (Chairman of Sheetz, Inc.), Erica McNeal (Secretary Officer, Blair County NAACP), and Andraé Holsey (President, Blair County NAACP) met at the Altoona Mirror offices with these concerns in mind. From that meeting, The Freedom Fighter Gala was born.

An annual event recognizing and remembering Freedom Fighters from Central PA who impacted national civil rights, The Blair Co. NAACP is proud to host its second electric evening of engagement, solidarity, and recognition on Oct. 25, 2022 from 5:30-9PM. With over 300 people in attendance last year, we have expanded our seating capability, but must limit ticket sales due to venue limitations. To reserve a seat, tickets must be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-freedom-fighter-gala-tickets-435653119207. All proceeds benefit the NAACP’s Freedom Fund, enabling us to grant scholarships, engage institutions, and act upon the mission of the NAACP in our community.

This year we will be remembering the accomplishments of the late Virginia Hansard-Day, and recognizing William Lightner for his ongoing achievements. Biographies on these two legendary Freedom Fighters will be posted in the coming days.

If you missed last year’s event, honoring the legacy of Donald E. Witherspoon and recognizing the achievements of Dr. Zane Gates, then we encourage you to check out the photos below. With recognition of scholarship awardees through the Sheetz Fellows Program at Penn State University – Altoona, impactful statements by PA State Rep. Jim Gregory and past-Senator/Lt. Governor Bob Jubelirer, and powerful performances by the PennSOULvanians, the First Freedom Fighter Gala did not disappoint. We are grateful to the Sheetz, Gates, and Witherspoon families for their impact on the audience and continued dedication to the mission of this organization.

For more on last year’s gala, you can read all about it at:
https://sites.psu.edu/altoonacollegiatereview/2021/11/02/the-first-annual-naacp-freedom-fighter-gala-the-rundown/

The Blair County NAACP is happy to announce that we are returning for a second year with our Prospect Park Pumpkin Patch! This is an excellent opportunity for people of all ages to learn about Fall Festivities around the world, learn about NAACP initiatives in our community, and meet with neighbors and friends. We look forward to seeing you at Prospect Park in Altoona this upcoming Thursday!

Stay in the loop with the event by visiting https://fb.me/e/31EYrJURS

The Scorchin’ Boxing Gym, under the direction of Blair Co. NAACP Treasurer Jeremiah Witherspoon, hosted an NAACP-sponsored boxing match the Saturday before Easter. Tickets sold fast, with people from New Jersey to Pittsburgh coming to support the young boxers. Branch #2252 took the opportunity to table for support and take as many pictures of the bouts as possible. Those pictures can be found below.

The NAACP is committed to supporting local youth, while instilling self-confidence, self-empowerment, and self-preservation in them. These tenets are reinforced through Scorchin’ Gym’s Leaders of Tomorrow (L.O.T.) Program, which benefits from the proceeds of matches like this. We encourage you to learn more about the gym at https://www.scorchinboxing.com/ and to check out the L.O.T. program at https://leadersoftomorrow.foundation/.

Throughout the month of October and into the month of November, the Blair County NAACP conducted several meetings to raise voter awareness and mobilize souls to the polls. The Blair County Branch, under the leadership of President Andrae Holsey, co-organized and hosted a Candidate forum with Indivisible – Blair County and the PSU Altoona Political Science Society on Penn State University – Altoona Campus at the Laurel Pavilion. This event provided students and community members the opportunity to engage local election candidates, meet local non-profit groups committed towards racial and economic justice, and register both to vote and/or join the NAACP. Attendees included Blair County NAACP President Andrae Holsey, PSU Altoona Chancellor Dr. Lori Bechtel-Wherry, AASD School Board Member Rick Hoover, AASD School Board Candidate Tina Johnston, Altoona City Council Member Dave Butterbaugh, Altoona City Council Candidates Bridgette Jackson, Mike Leonard, and Dave Ellis, PSU Political Science Society President Maleah Orr, Indivisible – Blair County President Carol Evon Taylor, dozens of other community acitivists and dozens of community members.

The event was such a success that PSU Altoona Student, Eilinora Hesther was inspired to partner with the PSU Altoona Office of Diversity & Inclusion, under the leadership of Sue Patterson, to host a second event on November 1st, allowing students from Economically-Disadvantaged and LGBTQ+, Ethno-racial, , and Religious minority groups to question several candidates on how they could serve their individual communities. Darius Morgan, Bridgette Jackson, and Mike Leonard answered questions from the public with support from Sue Patterson, Blair County NAACP Executive Committee Member / Former- Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority, and President Holsey.

The dialogue fostered at each of these events, as well as several other community-focused events welcoming local election candidates to express their views offered promise for peoples in minority communities and began the steps necessary to ensure racial, educational, economic, genderal, and religious equality in Blair County and beyond.

The local/state election for 2021 is right around the corner. Vote! Our lives depend on it!

A few weeks ago at the RTE 22 Rock & Blues Festival, hosted by ActiveAltoona.com, The Pennsoulvanians reminded us that the Keystone State does indeed have SERIOUS soul. But, don’t worry if you didn’t experience Chet Denny and the gang. They will be the entertainment for the Blair Co NAACP’s First Annual Freedom Fighter Gala on October 27th, 6PM, at The Casino at Lakemont Park. Tickets can be purchased at https://centralpatickets.com/…/the-freedom-fighter-gala… .