Lehigh Valley Black News Network is an informative eNewsletter & Black Blog Pusher designed to inform you about events and community information related to the connection and inclusion of communities of African-Black-African American descent throughout the Lehigh Valley and the State of Pennsylvania. The LV BNN e-letter is distributed and viewed by over 15000 internet readers from the Lehigh Valley Region, parts of Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Reading Pennsylvania.
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Save the Date: Lehigh Valley JuneTeenth Celebration: June 14th, 19th and 22nd 2025
Celebrate Juneteenth 2025 Across the Lehigh Valley –
Vendor Opportunities Now Open!
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate Juneteenth 2025 in a powerful way! The Lehigh Valley is hosting a vibrant lineup of events across Bethlehem, Allentown, and Easton to honor freedom, culture, and community.🎉 Here’s what’s in store:
🗓 June 14 – JuneteenthFest
📍 ArtsQuest, Bethlehem | 🕑 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Kick off the celebration with music, food, art, and community spirit at one of the Valley’s most iconic venues.
⚾ June 19 – Juneteenth with the Iron Pigs
📍 Coca-Cola Park, Allentown | 🕖 7:00 PM
Celebrate Juneteenth during America’s favorite pastime. A special evening at the ballpark with cultural highlights you won’t want to miss.
🏃🏾 June 22 – 5K Walk/Run & Juneteenth Parade
📍 Center Square, Easton
🕘 9:00 AM – 5K Walk/Run
🕒 3:00 PM – Parade
Join us in Easton for a day of movement, pride, and unity as we march forward in celebration and remembrance.
🛍️ Calling All Vendors!
Do you have a business, service, food truck, or product you want to showcase to thousands across the region? This is your chance to be part of a historic celebration and gain major exposure in three of the Valley’s biggest cities.
Vendor spaces are limited, so don’t wait!
📧 Contact: Adriane.Singletary@rcn.com or Michelle.Mckessey@gmail.com
Or visit www.juneteenthlv.org for details and registration.
Let’s celebrate freedom, culture, and progress—together. See you at Juneteenth 2025!
Funk & Reggae Night - — ArtsQuest- In partnership with Movement Moves Media: Friday, June 13 @ Union Terrace Amphitheater
Funk & Reggae Night - In partnership with Movement Moves Media — Events — ArtsQuest
Friday, June 13: Funk & Reggae - In partnership with Movement Moves Media and hosted by Chana with BezMusiq.
O.E. Troupe Blending genres and faith, this Lehigh Valley-based band curates uplifting, authentic vibes with musical chemistry, playing for artists among the gospel and mainstream communities.
Cosmic Soul Collective Lehigh Valley-based musicians fusing together multiple genres into a huge cosmic sound, inspired by R&B, hip-hop and jazz.
Philadelphia Funk Authority The area’s hottest dance and party band, they provide the best in high-energy dance and party entertainment.
Seven Democrats running for Allentown City Council’s four open seats
Council will have at least one new member in 2026
Jayne Orenstein May 05, 2025
Seven Democratic candidates are running in the May 20 primary for four seats on Allentown City Council. There are no Republican candidates, meaning that the council will likely remain entirely Democratic in 2026.
Three incumbents are seeking reelection – council President Daryl L. Hendricks, Vice President Cynthia Mota and Natalie Santos, who in 2021 became the youngest person ever elected to the position. A fourth incumbent, Ed Zucal, is running for mayor and is not seeking reelection, which means council will have at least one new member next year.
Also running are Jeremy Binder, Cristian Pungo, Ben Stemrich and Patrick Palmer. Luis Acevedo – removed from the ballot after losing a petition challenge – is running a write-in campaign. Council members serve four-year terms. Read more here
Jayne Orenstein May 05, 2025
Three incumbents are seeking reelection – council President Daryl L. Hendricks, Vice President Cynthia Mota and Natalie Santos, who in 2021 became the youngest person ever elected to the position. A fourth incumbent, Ed Zucal, is running for mayor and is not seeking reelection, which means council will have at least one new member next year.
Also running are Jeremy Binder, Cristian Pungo, Ben Stemrich and Patrick Palmer. Luis Acevedo – removed from the ballot after losing a petition challenge – is running a write-in campaign. Council members serve four-year terms. Read more here
Broadband Bottlenecks and Bureaucracy: What’s Holding the Internet Back? - Episode 642 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
Byon Apr 16, 2025
In this episode of the podcast, Chris is joined again by telecom policy expert Sascha Meinrath for a wide-ranging discussion on why billions in broadband funding still haven’t reached communities.
They unpack the dysfunction behind the BEAD program rollout, federal stalling on digital equity grants, and the maddening reality of broken broadband maps.
The conversation tackles political gridlock, regulatory capture, and the very real consequences for underserved communities still waiting for high-speed Internet.
The Kulcha Kernel, 1884 Catasauqua Rd, Allentown, PA: An afternoon of relaxation, inspiration, and health-focused activities, Saturday February 1st 12pm-5pm
You’re Invited to a Day of Wellness & Empowerment!
Date: Saturday, February 1st
Time: 12 PM – 5 PM
Location: The Kulcha Kernel, 1884 Catasauqua Rd, Allentown, PA
Join us for an afternoon of relaxation, inspiration, and health-focused activities, including:
Relaxing Foot Detoxes with Melody Russo of Lotus Wellness Studio.• $35 per person or $60 per couple. Call to RSVP: (484)-221-8187
(Limited spots available due to high demand!)
Dietary Workshop to improve health and overcome illness, hosted by Call Me Vegan Catering.
Book Signing with author Alfonso Todd—meet the author and get your copy signed!
Admission is FREE for all other activities!
Come focus on self-care, learn valuable health tips, and connect with your community.
MLK Jr. Day 2025 @ The Allentown Art Museum: January 20th 11am to 5:00pm
12noon-4 p.m. – Hourly poetry performances in the galleries
noon – Michael Freeman: Michael Freeman is an abstract and performance artist with a vision impairment known as tunnel vision. His paintings primarily feature tactile components and texture so they can be felt by others with visual impairments.
1 p.m. Jinx Leonard
Jinx Leonard is a Black trans woman who writes poems and short stories about the high of transitioning, dating while trans, and the beauty of self love with humor, rawness, and a sense of self.
2 p.m. Lisbeth Brito
Lisbeth Brito is an Afro-Latinx poet, mental-health professional, and the host of “Spilled Ink: Spoken Word” at the Inkwell in Allentown. Her poems focus on raw emotions that stem from trauma, identity, relationships, and loss.
3 p.m. Ikea Clinton
Ikea “Kay Cee” Clinton is an author, empathist, and domestic-violence-awareness advocate. She published her first book, Breaking the Silence, in 2020 and has always leaned on poetry for self-expression.
4 p.m. Latrice Young
Latrice is a multifaceted choreopoet, global storyteller, and artrepreneur. After earning a B.A. in creative writing/poetry from Purdue University in 2018, she founded Dunique LLC in 2019. She later pursued an MFA in performance creation at Moravian University and Touchstone Theatre, focusing on choreopoems, ritual, and healing. She has facilitated workshops and performed original works, including her piece “Ain’t I/Ain’t It/Ain’t We” at Touchstone Theatre’s 2023 Fresh Voices showcase. As coexecutive leader of the Naptown African American Theatre Collective, she celebrates Black culture and continues to support local arts through various volunteer and creative endeavors.
12:30 p.m. – Storytelling in Rodale Classroom
1-2 p.m. – Musical performance by Bev Conklin
3 p.m.– Jazz performance in the AAM auditorium by the Philadelphia Clef Club Philharmonic
Kirk Whalum, photos by Tim Koen
1 p.m. Jinx LeonardJinx Leonard is a Black trans woman who writes poems and short stories about the high of transitioning, dating while trans, and the beauty of self love with humor, rawness, and a sense of self.
2 p.m. Lisbeth BritoLisbeth Brito is an Afro-Latinx poet, mental-health professional, and the host of “Spilled Ink: Spoken Word” at the Inkwell in Allentown. Her poems focus on raw emotions that stem from trauma, identity, relationships, and loss.
3 p.m. Ikea ClintonIkea “Kay Cee” Clinton is an author, empathist, and domestic-violence-awareness advocate. She published her first book, Breaking the Silence, in 2020 and has always leaned on poetry for self-expression.
4 p.m. Latrice YoungLatrice is a multifaceted choreopoet, global storyteller, and artrepreneur. After earning a B.A. in creative writing/poetry from Purdue University in 2018, she founded Dunique LLC in 2019. She later pursued an MFA in performance creation at Moravian University and Touchstone Theatre, focusing on choreopoems, ritual, and healing. She has facilitated workshops and performed original works, including her piece “Ain’t I/Ain’t It/Ain’t We” at Touchstone Theatre’s 2023 Fresh Voices showcase. As coexecutive leader of the Naptown African American Theatre Collective, she celebrates Black culture and continues to support local arts through various volunteer and creative endeavors.
12:30 p.m. – Storytelling in Rodale Classroom
1-2 p.m. – Musical performance by Bev Conklin
3 p.m.– Jazz performance in the AAM auditorium by the Philadelphia Clef Club Philharmonic
Kirk Whalum, photos by Tim KoenLehigh County DCED and Black Heritage Association Partner to Empower Section 3 Construction Businesses
Allentown, PA December 20th 2025 – The Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley (BHALV) has announced a strategic partnership with the Lehigh County Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to train and certify local construction contractors and laborers. This initiative is designed to foster economic growth and create meaningful opportunities for minority and Section 3 construction businesses in the Lehigh Valley.
Through a grant provided by Lehigh County Department of Community and Economic Development, BHALV will implement its S3 Construction Business Certification program, focusing on outreach, education, and certification of construction companies and workers in Lehigh County. Read more
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