P R E S S A D V I S O RY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anthony Bannister-Fattah (left) speaks at the entrance to Overbrook High School after leading a march to highlight the importance of fathers in preventing violence. He is accompanied by City Councilmember Curtis Jones (center) and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (right). (PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF WHYY/Emma Lee). 

CONTACT: 
Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, President & CEO
(215) 473-5893; [email protected]
 
        PHILADELPHIA, PA (USA) – 20  February 2024 – Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – the birthplace of the United States of America – the House Of Umoja, Inc. (www.houseofumoja.net), a globally acclaimed institution, will launch its “Reading Is Resistance” Initiative in partnership with The City Root (https://www. thecityroot.com), an online publication which is founded by Mr. Kevin Chevalier who serve as the publication’s Publisher and Editor, in observance of African American History Month on Saturday, 24 February 2024 from 6:00 P.M. through 10:00 P.M. at the Ultra Silk Gallery, 3808 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania..    “Reading Is Resistance” Initiative is the brainchild of Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the House of Umoja Inc. and a component of Philadelphia’s observance of the National Million Father March.   Addressing the rise in the banning of African American literature by schools and public libraries that is occurring in cities throughout the United States will also be explored by the House Of Umoja, Inc. during its observance of African American History Month on Saturday, 24 February 2024 at the Ultra Silk Gallery at 3808 Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.   The American Civil Liberties Union in Massachusetts (www.aclum.org) provides a list of literary works penned by African American authors that are being removed from schools and public libraries on its website. A number of schools and public libraries in Western Pennsylvania; Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania have removed literary works penned by African American authors.  The arbitrary removal of books in schools and public libraries that has occurred in Pennsylvania, which raises constitutional issues, is being met with legislative push back.  Pennsylvania State Senator The Honorable Amanda Cappelletti has introduced legislation into the Pennsylvania General Assembly which prohibits schools and public libraries from banning books (see “Montgomery County State Senator Wants PA To Prevent Schools, Libraries From Banning Books” at https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/bill-prevent-book-bans-school-libraries-pennsylvania).  The book bans initiated by school boards in Pennsylvania are also being challenged by parents and community activists who have filed right-to-know requests to gain access to information regarding the various school boards’ decision to ban books (see “Moms For Liberty’s Extreme Agenda Gets Pushback From Pennsylvania Community,” at https://www. advocate.com/news/pennsylvania-pushback-moms-for-liberty). 

Therefore on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm, House of Umoja Inc will co-host art and activism series PIECES OF PEACE at Ultra Silk Gallery located 3808 Lancaster Avenue in University City. Event is partnered with The City Root, an online Rolling Stone-esque publication, features the “Books vs Bullets 1968 - Present,” a multi-sensory panel discussion accentuated by an art exhibit, and live performances.

Currently, the 55 year old House of Umoja Inc. is continuing its 17th year as the Philadelphia component of the National Million Fathers March;  the march mobilizes fathers and father figures to be active in their children’s education. In 2007, the late David Fattah, Sr., patriarch of the House of Umoja, were selected by the late Philip Jackson, Founder of the Black Star Project and the Million Fathers March, to implement the march in the City of Philadelphia, teacher, David Fattah, Sr. proudly took the mantle and for twelve years mobilized fathers, uncles, neighbors, mentors, and friends to walk their children to school on the first day, secured their children’s rosters, met their teachers and school staff, and became more engaged in their children’s education. 

With a special focus on non-custodial fathers, in 2019 the House of Umoja launched its “Fathers Lead to Read Literacy Campaign,” led by Anthony Bannister-Fattah. He is the grandson of Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, President and CEO of the House of Umoja, to encourage fathers and their children of any age to read and discuss books among one another as a bonding and educational exercise.

The City Root is an online, Rolling Stone-esque publication focused on the Greater Philadelphia Area that highlights the incredibly talented music scene and publishes important and entertaining stories and articles — from social commentary and media to sports and satire. Led by Publisher & Editor, Kevin Chevalier, The City Root is proud to bring Pieces of Peace to Ultra Silk Gallery alongside House of Umoja to showcase artist Amber Fulton, a student from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and the DASH program, and to offer a stage to an established group, Purple Phire, that deserves more shine. Further, Mr. Chevalier, a teacher and coach at Sayre, recognizes how valuable the Million Fathers March could be for his students and how beneficial an emphasis on reading will be in order to create more opportunities in higher education and in their future profession.

The House of Umoja, Inc., a Pennsylvania registered 501(c)(3) organization that empowers youth and communities through peace, culture, innovation, and education, drawing from its rich history of transforming lives, brokering peace, and creating global models of social change.

CONTACT:
Anthony Bannister-Fattah, Philadelphia Coordinator, 2024 Million Fathers March
Queen Mother Falaka Fattah, Advisor - 2024 Philadelphia National Million Fathers March
House of Umoja, Inc. (Umoja, Inc.)
(215) 473-5893
E-Mail: [email protected] ​