PECO Celebrates African American History Month with Events Honoring Diversity throughout the Region

PECO is celebrating African American History Month with support of many local arts, educational and diversity events in February that commemorate those who have shaped the past and those who are continuing to make history.

This year’s programs and events highlight the contributions of African Americans to the Greater Philadelphia region’s rich history and culture. Events include:

• February 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Free First Sundays at the Barnes Foundation – February’s programming includes hands-on arts activities inspired by the works of prominent African-American artist Horace Pippin; a discussion surrounding Art Sanctuary’s upcoming Celebration of Black Writing; and a performance by Tune Up Philly, the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra’s educational outreach program.
• February 7, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: 23rd Annual African American Children’s Book Fair at the Community College of Philadelphia– The book fair is the oldest and largest one-day event for African-American children’s books in the country. Authors and illustrators will read from their books, and a wide selection of books from the best and brightest in the African-American children’s literary community will be available for purchase.
• February 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: African-American Leaders Symposium and Film Screening at WHYY – At the symposium, titled “Your Seat at the Table,” local and national business and political leaders will discuss the state of African-American business and give best practices for future business development. Following the symposium at 5:30 p.m. is a special advanced screening of the PBS documentary “Mr. Civil Rights: Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP.”
• February 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: George Washington Carver Science Fair at the Academy of Natural Sciences – Named for a prominent African-American botanist and inventor, the George Washington Carver Science Fair encourages urban youth to pursue academic achievement and careers in science. The elementary science fair (grades 4-6) is held February 19, with the secondary science fair (grades 7-12) held on March 3.
• February 19, noon to 2 p.m.: Fifth Annual Philadelphia Tribune Christopher J. Perry/Carter G. Woodson Black History Awards Luncheon at Union League of Philadelphia – The Philadelphia Tribune’s luncheon honors men and women who have made a significant impact on African-American history in Philadelphia and beyond. Each year, the event serves as a notable learning and networking opportunity for hundreds of attendees.

PECO proudly celebrates diversity year-round through programming that provides broad public exposure to diversity in the communities that the company serves. To learn more about PECO’s community support, visit peco.com/community.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC). PECO serves 1.6 million electric and more than 500,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,400 people in the region.PECO delivered 85.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 37.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations. For more information visit PECO.com, and connect with the company on Facebook and Twitter.