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.
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.
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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
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Readers: Celebrating 25 Years Together!
As 2024 comes to a close, we at the Lehigh Valley Black News Network have so much to celebrate and it’s all thanks to you. This coming year marks our 25th Anniversary, a milestone we’ve reached because of the unwavering support of our sponsors, readers, and community. Together, we’ve built a legacy of connection, empowerment, and storytelling that has stood the test of time.
To our sponsors, your generosity has been the cornerstone of our success. Your commitment to our mission has allowed us to shine a light on the voices, achievements, and issues that matter most. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and the faith you’ve placed in us to make an impact.
To our readers, thank you for being the driving force behind everything we do. Your loyalty, engagement, and enthusiasm inspire us every day. Over the past 25 years, your support has shaped this platform into a trusted source of news and a space where our community’s stories can thrive.
As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we are also filled with the spirit of the season. From all of us at the Lehigh Valley Black News Network, Happy Holidays! May this time of year bring you joy, warmth, and time with those you hold dear.
We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2025 and beyond, building on our legacy and making the next 25 years even more impactful. Thank you for being an essential part of our story.
With heartfelt gratitude and holiday cheer,
Kevin Easterling- CEO Black Heritage Association of the Lehigh Valley
'Sand Ni—er’: Allentown Councilwoman Allegedly Tells Black City Clerk ‘F--k You’ After Years of Racist Abuse Sparks Lawsuit
By Jill Jordan Sieder | Published on: December 15, 2024 Atlanta Black Star
A Black woman who serves as deputy city clerk for Allentown, Pennsylvania, is suing the city for permitting a racially hostile workplace environment, which she says has included racial slurs and other demeaning comments by city officials directed at her and other Black employees and citizens for years.
In her complaint filed in federal court last week, Tawanna Whitehead alleges that during her 15-year tenure, she has been subjected to “myriad racially hostile incidents” that violate state and federal civil rights law.
They include an incident in 2015 when “a high-ranking City official allegedly used the term ‘Sand Ni—er’ multiple times” in her presence, then repeated the racial slur again in the presence of the city council president and her current supervisor Michael Hanlon, the city clerk.
In her complaint filed in federal court last week, Tawanna Whitehead alleges that during her 15-year tenure, she has been subjected to “myriad racially hostile incidents” that violate state and federal civil rights law.
They include an incident in 2015 when “a high-ranking City official allegedly used the term ‘Sand Ni—er’ multiple times” in her presence, then repeated the racial slur again in the presence of the city council president and her current supervisor Michael Hanlon, the city clerk.
Got MEDICARE Questions? Call Derrick @ MEDICARE LIFE 484-221-9200
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Genesius Theatre is seeking performers for RAISIN AUDITIONS: Sunday, November 17th from 6:00pm to 9:45pm:
Genesius Theatre is seeking Black and African-American actor/singers to portray roles in RAISIN, the Tony-Award-winning musical adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” Auditions are by appointment on Sunday, November 17. The show performs the first two weeks of May 2025 in Reading Pennsylvania
THE SEARCH IS ON FOR OUR NEXT PRODUCTIONS! GENESIUS THEATRE – THIS 2025
PRESENTS "Raisin"
RAISIN AUDITIONS: November 17th from 6pm to 9:45pm, 15 minute time slots
Sign up for your audition here, and make sure to fill out all necessary fields. We will need a picture of you in a jpg, jpeg, or png. Please come prepared. We will have an accompanist available. Please make note of the show dates as well.
Show dates: Raisin - May 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Sunday shows are at 3pm, all others are at 7:30pm
For any questions about auditions, email us at genesiusauditions1971@gmail.com
Genesius Theatre is a 501c3 nonprofit community theatre in Reading, Pennsylvania. All roles are unpaid.
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