PHL Celebrates Black History Month 2021

The Division of Aviation’s Racial Equity Advisory Council (REAC) is excited to share a robust series of programs, activities, and exhibitions available to employees throughout the month of February for Black History Month 2021.

DOA Cookbook – Submit By Feb. 26

DOA Cookbook

DOA is a proud home to employees with diverse backgrounds and cultures. We are excited to kick-off our “DOA Cookbook Series” during Black History Month (BHM). Employees are encouraged to submit culturally significant recipes with a brief description explaining its importance. Once submitted, recipes will be compiled to create a cookbook that is accessible to all employees.

While the theme for February will be BHM recipes, upcoming celebrations (March - Women’s History Month, May - Jewish American Heritage Month, LGBT History Month, Oct/Nov - Hispanic Heritage Month, etc.) will offer an opportunity to add recipes to the cookbook throughout the year.

Please submit recipes and descriptions to [email protected] by Friday, February 26th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!

Book Club – Feb. 16 and 26

REAC is hosting a Black History Month Book Club! The book selected is "Becoming" by Michelle Obama, which is available in hardcopy or digital format here. There will be a brief virtual check-in on Tuesday, February 16th @ 3 PM and a virtual brown bag lunch/book discussion on Friday, February 26th @ Noon.

If you are interested in facilitating the virtual check-in and/or the brown bag lunch/book discussion, please contact [email protected].

To keep the celebration going beyond February, submissions that were not selected for BHM will be shared on our soon-to-be-launched Racial Equity MyPHL page.

Poetry Excerpts & Favorite Quote Readings – Due Feb. 23

Poetry reading

Share a poem excerpt or quote from your favorite black poet or cultural icon! DOA employees can submit their self-recorded clips (One minute or less in duration) using the following directions:

If Filming at Home:  

  1. Prop your cell phone on your laptop keyboard or against your computer monitor horizontally. 
  2. Select video on your phone’s camera function.
  3. Hit record and recite your favorite poem excerpt or quote.
  4. When the (maximum) one-minute video is complete, email it to [email protected].  

If Filming at the Airport, all individuals involved in the filming must wear PPE and practice the six-foot social distancing rule. 

Please submit your video clip to [email protected] by Tuesday, February 23rd. Once submitted, clips will be shared via social media and our website!

Black History Game Day – Feb. 11 and 25

Black Trivia

Join two Special Edition Thurs-YAY! Water Cooler Conversations on Thursday, February 11th and February 25th to test your Black History knowledge, with a chance to win bragging rights with your colleagues and special prizes! Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Thurs-YAY! Water Cooler Conversations allow employees to take a mid-day break, socialize with each other, reconnect and relieve some stress!

One on One w/ Chellie Cameron and Black Leaders in Aviation - Throughout February

Airport CEO Chellie Cameron will join several black leaders in aviation to discuss a variety of topics, including their backgrounds, career experiences, reflections and advice to the next generation pursuing careers in the industry. Interviews will be shared via social media and PHL.org/Newsroom throughout the month!

Employee Highlight – Throughout February

Employee Highlight

DOA is fortunate to have seasoned employees with an abundance of experiences and perspectives. Throughout the month, we will profile our colleagues and share their stories via social media and on PHL.org/Newsroom. If there is a team member you would like to nominate for the employee highlight, please submit recommendations to [email protected].  

Artist Exhibitions - Throughout February

Marian Bailey Exhibition

DOA’S award winning Arts & Exhibitions Program, led by Leah Douglas, will feature the following artists throughout the airport during Black History Month:

  • Kambel Smith – Terminal A- West
  • Marian Bailey – Terminal D
  • Jaither West – Terminals E&F
  • Eustace Mamba – Terminals E&F

Take a moment to check out their creativity!

Black Author Spotlight - Throughout February

BHM Black Authors

PHL Food & Shops are featuring Black authors throughout the month with Black History Month merchandising tables at Heritage Books in the B/C Connector and both Philadelphia Tribune locations (Terminal A-East and Terminal D). Each table will have a QR code and customers can enter for a chance to win a free book of their choice from the highlighted assortment.

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