Community College of Philadelphia announces honorees for June 9 Rhythm and RISE celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2026

Contact: 
Megan L. Fox
mlfox [at] ccp.edu (mlfox[at]ccp[dot]edu)

Newly announced award recipients will join Patti LaBelle as honored guests at CCP’s 60th anniversary celebration

PHILADELPHIA — Community College of Philadelphia has announced the honorees of the College’s upcoming Rhythm and RISE celebration on June 9. During the 60th anniversary celebration, CCP leadership will present awards to staff, faculty and alumni who demonstrate their dedication and unyielding support of our Philadelphia community.

In addition to the newly announced honorees, Philly icon Patti LaBelle will be presented a Lifetime Achievement Award for her immense influence as a musician, actress, entrepreneur and humanitarian.

The awards and honorees are:

• RISE Alumni Achievement Award: Tia Watson, vice president of the Office of Advocacy, Public Policy and Legislative Affairs with the Urban League of Greater Philadelphia
• RISE College Hero Award: Bernard Rhodan, shipping and receiving clerk in the Business Services department of Community College of Philadelphia
• RISE College Hero Award: Dr. Terrilyn Hickman-Allen, associate professor of Behavioral Health/Human Services at Community College of Philadelphia
• The RISE Lifetime Achievement Award: Patti LaBelle, American R&B singer, actress, humanitarian

“Rhythm and RISE is not only a celebration of CCP’s 60-year legacy of excellence, but also a powerful reflection of the extraordinary impact our community continues to make,” said Dr. Alycia Marshall, President of CCP. “We are proud to honor visionary leaders and changemakers whose personal and professional dedication has advanced the prosperity, vitality, and future of our region. On behalf of the CCP Foundation, I extend my deepest congratulations to the RISE honorees as we unite in support of the students of the City’s College and the promise they represent for generations to come.”

Every ticket sale to Rhythm and RISE supports CCP’s mission of helping students rise up and achieve their higher education goals. The event commemorates 60 years of CCP through a musical journey of Philadelphia’s sound, past and present, with live performances by CCP students and Spring Garden Records artists. DJ TouchTone will set the energy all night and attendees will hear from Vertical Current, led by past Artist in Residence Christopher Michael Stevens.

The evening will include:

• Student artwork on display
• Pottery wheel and other art demonstrations by students
• Hors d'oeuvre creations from our Culinary Arts students, served by our Tourism and Hospitality Management students
• Sumptuous dinner and libations
• A live activation from our Automotive Technology and Welding programs
• Performances from Theater students

Tickets to Rhythm and RISE support the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation and are available here.

Ahead of the June 9 celebration, CCP is creating a Rhythm and RISE mixtape. We are asking our community: What songs make you think of Philly? We're calling on Philadelphians to help us curate our Rhythm and RISE playlist, and when it's ready, we'll share it as our city’s very own "sound of Philadelphia" playlist. Submissions can be made here.

Rhythm and RISE is made possible with the support of our sponsors, including Hamilton Family Foundation, Julian and Lois Brodsky | Julian A. and Lois G. Brodsky Foundation, Parx Casino, Follett Higher Education Group, Penn Medicine, Independence Blue Cross Foundation, Rhonda and David L. Cohen, Harold T. Epps and Bellevue Strategies, Pincus Family Foundation, Allied Universal/Universal Protection Services, Brian Communications, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Honickman Family Foundation, OIC Philadelphia, and Rivers Casino. Sponsorship opportunities are available here.

If you would like to attend CCP’s Rhythm and RISE 60th anniversary celebration on behalf of your news organization, please email Megan L. Fox at

mlfox [at] ccp.edu (mlfox[at]ccp[dot]edu).

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About Community College of Philadelphia 

Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in the City of Philadelphia. With an open admissions policy, the College serves all who may benefit – regardless of age, income, or ability. For more than 60 years, the College has lived up to its mission and goals by providing educational access for over 750,000 Philadelphians, setting families, businesses and neighborhoods on the path of shared prosperity and opportunity. For information on the College's degree and certificate programs, workforce development strategies, and community engagement initiatives, visit ccp.edu and follow us on social media @CCPedu.