PCHR celebrates individuals working for a fair, equitable Philly

PHILADELPHIA - For the second consecutive year, the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) recognizes individuals and organizations making outstanding contributions to fighting discrimination and advancing human and civil rights in Philadelphia.

Each October, Human Relations Month is recognized in Philadelphia. As part of the celebration, the Social Justice Awards honor those whose commitment to service reflects Philadelphia's guiding values of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

This year's Social Justice Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 1-3 p.m. in the Skyline Room of the Free Library of Philadelphia (1901 Vine Street). Returning as host is Good Day Philadelphia anchor and reporter Shaynah Ferreira.

"This year's honorees are inspiring change agents. While some may be content to go after social media likes and followers, our social justice advocates are taking direct action, working daily with communities to effect change," said PCHR Executive Director Renee Chenault-Fattah. "They know that we uplift ourselves and we uplift our values when we uplift others."

Awards will be presented in the categories: Community Service, Arts & Culture, and Law Enforcement/Public Service. The Clarence Farmer Award, named in honor of PCHR's first Chairman and a trailblazer in Philadelphia's civil rights movement, will also be presented.

New this year is the David T. Rammler Award for Fair Housing, established in memory of the former Fair Housing Commission chairman, who devoted his life to ensuring equitable housing access for all.

This year's winners are:

Social Justice Award for Community Service:

• Muhammad Abdul-Hadi serves "pies with a mission" as the founder and owner of Down North Pizza, a purpose-driven restaurant that only hires formerly incarcerated individuals. His vision is straightforward yet powerful: reducing recidivism rates across Philadelphia and beyond by creating pathways to meaningful employment and opportunity. Building on his mission, Abdul-Hadi established the Down North Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to education, community development, and neighborhood revitalization. Among its latest initiatives is the Down North Treehouse, which is transforming a former library into a collaborative hub designed to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by preparing students for fulfilling, financially sustainable careers in the tech industry. In 2024, Abdul-Hadi was honored with the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to expanding the Down North model nationwide. His mission is to strengthen communities by addressing systemic barriers and opening doors through jobs, education, and local initiatives.
• Madelyn Morrison says she owes her life to the Attic Youth Center. At 14, the Attic became a lifeline when she was a runaway searching for safety. That early connection not only saved her life but also planted the seeds for her decades-long dedication to activism, community empowerment, and justice. As a black trans woman, she serves as the organization's Director of Programs, overseeing youth development, leadership training, and The Bryson Institute - the education and outreach arm of The Attic. For more than 25 years, Morrison has been a force for multidimensional activism, centering communities at the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, economic justice, disability, and human rights. Her advocacy also extends to animal rights, climate awareness, and systemic reform, always guided by the belief that everyday people deserve safe, equitable, and inclusive spaces. At The Attic, Morrison is not only designing and delivering workshops on anti-bullying, antiracism, and leadership, but she's helping youth find their voices as public speakers, trainers, and community leaders. Her story is one of full-circle transformation - once a youth in need of support, she now leads with the same love and commitment that saved her life.
• For Naiymah Sanchez, work isn't just about work - it's literally her life. While her role is fighting for the rights of others, the senior ACLU Pennsylvania organizer understands firsthand how hard the journey can be. The trans-Latina activist has spent nearly two decades organizing and building a movement, standing on the frontlines of policy, grassroots organizing, and advocacy - always ensuring the voices of those most impacted are not just heard, but centered. From shaping legislation to building coalitions, Sanchez remains a driving force in advancing equity for transgender and gender-expansive people, immigrants, and communities of color. Her work not only defends rights but also reimagines systems so that every community can thrive with dignity and power. With her pronouns - she/her/goddess - you know that when she speaks on racial justice, immigrant rights, reproductive freedom, or gender equity, she will leave her audience inspired and ready to take action.

Social Justice Award for Arts & Culture:

• Conrad Benner is a Fishtown-born creative known for amplifying street art, public space, and community through multiple media platforms. He first made his mark in 2011 while working in a gelato shop, attending community college, and launching what would be StreetsDept.com, a photo blog dedicated to documenting the often-overlooked art cropping up on Philadelphia's walls, corners, and alleys. Over the years, Benner has grown Streets Dept beyond a simple blog post to a multi-platform presence. He curates mural and public art projects, hosts podcasts (including WHYY's Art Outside), runs walking tours, produces print and digital publications, and shares content across social media. Beyond the arts, Benner's projects often intersect with civic issues. His efforts include To The Polls, which harnesses public art to inspire voter engagement, and Front Street Walls, a platform giving emerging artists the chance to paint their first murals. Benner has also organized and co-organized voter turnout initiatives, awareness campaigns around homelessness, and public art exhibitions with political or social justice dimensions. He has leveraged Streets Dept to push for improvements in public service and for greater visibility to underrepresented communities. Benner's approach combines passion, activism, and visual storytelling. Whether through a mural, poster project, or blog entry, he strives to amplify voices outside traditional galleries and institutions.
• Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta is an award-winning artist, author, and advocate who advances social justice through place, taste, and urban transformation. Currently, he serves as Director of Exhibitions and Public Programming at Temple Contemporary gallery. Dr. Matt curates public shows to highlight help the Tyler School of Art and Architecture as a beacon for art, architecture, and community imagination. At the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design, he catalyzed the Justice and Belonging Fund, the Black Planners Society, and the Julian Abele Lecture. His advocacy work as a consultant writing the New Freedom District Plan for West Philadelphia earned him a Faculty Fellowship in Community Development and the Arts from the Netter Center for Community Partnerships. He advances cultural preservation and public art as the youngest Philadelphia Art Commissioner since 2021 and previously served as a 21st Century Historic Preservation Leaders Fellow with the U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
• Marángeli Mejia Rabell has an approach that remains deeply community-centered: she emphasizes co-creation, intersectionality, and accessible spaces. She frames cultural identity and storytelling as not only artistic expression, but as essential for representation, belonging, and empowerment for Latinx creators. The Puerto Rican-born and Philadelphia-based cultural organizer, productor, curator, and arts leader believes in the importance of spaces where people see themselves reflected and welcomed. As the Festival Director of the Philadelphia Latina Arts & Film Festival, Rabell has become known for her capacity building, leadership development, cross-sector collaboration, and honoring the roots as a tool for social change and community self-actualization. As the co-founder and partner of AFROTAINO and GUSTOR, the platforms assist in developing arts and culture programming with Latinx creatives and communities.

Social Justice Award for Law Enforcement/Public Service:

• Dawn Thomas has dedicated 22 years of service to the Philadelphia Police Department. She has built a distinguished career spanning patrol, tactical enforcement, undercover narcotics, and community engagement. She currently serves in the Neighborhood Services Unit, where she oversees blight and abandoned vehicle enforcement, multi-agency nuisance abatement operations, and citywide quality-of-life initiatives. Beyond her office duties, Sgt. Thomas is deeply committed to building trust between law enforcement and the communities she serves. She has led impactful initiatives such as Cuts by Cops and Cooking with Cops, and partners with the Juvenile Justice Center's Community Evening Resource Center (CERC) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. to provide meaningful outreach and support. As co-founders of Pathways 2 Empowerment, Sgt. Thomas and her husband have developed a nonprofit designed to mentor and equip young people with the life skills and opportunities they need to succeed. Together, they are also working on a children's book series that shines a light on the unique sacrifices made by the families of first responders - giving voice to the often-unseen experiences of their children.
• Damone B. Jones, Sr., is a pastor, educator, and civic leader whose life's work has been defined by faith, service, and advocacy of justice. When he became pastor of Bible Way Baptist Church in West Philadelphia in 1994, he was only the second pastor in the church's history. Dr. Jones has become a trusted civic voice, bridging the worlds of faith, justice, and public policy. He has served as: Assistant Chaplain at the Youth Study Center, panelist for the District Attorney's Commission on African American Affairs, and the Advisory Board of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, where he served as Chair. His work has also brought him into the unique roles of trust, including assisting homicide fugitives in surrendering to authorities and mentoring popular figures such as rapper Meek Mill. Dr. Jones' belief in young people and the incarcerated led him to establish The BrothaHood Foundation, Inc., a basketball and mentoring program for youthful offenders charged as adults. His life's mission reflects a deep dedication to at-risk youth, incarcerated individuals, and underserved communities. Through pastoral leadership, Dr. Jones continues to stand as an anchor using faith as a foundation to inspire transformation and hope.
• Blessen Mathew's journey is one of resilience, service, and leadership. Originally from Kerala, South India, he immigrated to the United States at 18 in search of opportunity. While adapting to a new culture and working various jobs, he pursued his calling to serve others through law enforcement. After earning a degree in Criminal Justice, he began his career with the Philadelphia Department of Corrections before joining the Philadelphia Police Department in 2017. Rising through the ranks, Sgt. Mathew became the first South Indian police supervisor in the department's history when he was promoted to Corporal in 2022, and in 2024, he again made history as the first South Indian Sergeant. Currently assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau, he also serves as President of the Pennsylvania Asian American Law Enforcement Association (PAALEA) and Treasurer of the American Malayali Law Enforcement United (AMLEU), where he works to advance diversity, representation, and inclusion across the profession. As Regional Director for the Y's Men International and a leader in the World Malayalee Council, he focuses on empowering youth, supporting families, and strengthening ties between communities and law enforcement.
• Jo Mason has spent 24 years serving the Philadelphia Police Department with distinction, inspiring change, and advancing inclusion. After courageously coming out in 2015, Sgt. Mason became a trailblazer within the department, serving in both the Northwest and Northeast in specialized dirt bike and bicycle units - roles that reflect their own passion for riding a Harley. As a founding member and inaugural president of Greater Philadelphia Gay Officers' Action League (G.OA.L.), Sgt. Mason has been a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ first responders and military personnel. Their leadership was pivotal in the creation of the department's first LGBTQ competency course - a curriculum they personally authored and continue to present to police academy recruits and law enforcement agencies across the Philadelphia region. A fierce advocate for marginalized communities, Sgt. Mason's commitment extends far beyond the department. They remain deeply engaged in fundraising and community service, supporting organizations such as Shiner's Hospital for Children and the Dante Austin Scholarship Fund, established to honor a fellow G.O.A.L. member. Through service, advocacy, and leadership, Sgt. Mason exemplified what it means to build bridges, uplift others, and create lasting change.

The Clarence Farmer Award:

• Councilwoman Kendra Brooks made history as the first Working Families member elected to Philadelphia City Council and now serves as its Minority Leader - the first non-Republican to hold the role. In her two terms, she has championed reproductive freedom, housing, justice, fully funded public schools, and fair taxation to support libraries, parks, transit, and health services. Her legislative accomplishments include advancing worker protections through the POWER Act, strengthening tenant rights with the Eviction Diversion Program, expanding mental health crisis response teams, and securing historic funding for reproductive healthcare. Raised in Nicetown, where she still resides, Councilwoman Brooks worked as a domestic worker and nursing assistant while raising her four children and pursuing her education. After earning degrees from Temple University and Eastern University, she spent 17 years at Easterseals serving children with disabilities and their families until funding cuts eliminated her program. Losing her job and later her home deepened her commitment to fighting for housing justice and economic security for Philadelphia's working families. Councilwoman Brooks' organizing began with Parents United for Public Education, where she successfully fought to protect her neighborhood school from privatization. She went on to co-found Stand Up Nicetown, the Our City Our Schools coalition, and helped build the 215 People's Alliance and Alliance for a Just Philadelphia.

The David T. Rammler Award:

• Cheri Honkala's life was defined by hardship in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Growing up amid instability and domestic violence, she witnessed her mother endure abuse. At 17, her life took another sharp turn when she became a mother and she and her son ended up homeless. For a period, they lived out of her car until it was totaled in an accident. Turned away from shelters that refused to house the pair, they became squatters in an abandoned government-owned property to survive the bitter cold. Fed up, Honkala transformed her pain into purpose by advocating for economic justice and welfare rights. By the early 1990s, after relocating to Philadelphia, Honkala co-founded the Kensington Welfare Rights Union (KWRU) and the People's Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC). KRWU drew attention for bold and direct-action tactics: taking over abandoned houses, establishing tent cities, and refusing to wait for permission to secure basic human needs. While her tactics are controversial and she has been arrested more than 200 times, she has also taken her activism into electoral politics, running for office. Honkala's legacy is measured not only in tangible victories - families housed, shelters opened, movements sustained - but her ability to shift the narrative from pity to power. She remains a testament to the idea that justice is never granted; it is demanded and claimed through struggle, dignity, and love.

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Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) is the City's official civil rights agency. Our mission is to fight discrimination, promote equality, and build strong communities. PCHR works with residents to help them develop the skills necessary to solve disputes without resorting to violence. Our Dispute Resolution Program offers mediation and conflict resolution services to neighbors and others who are experiencing conflict that is not currently in court and has not already escalated to violence. For more information, visit our website at phila.gov/PCHR.