Community College of Philadelphia Announces Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton as 2021 Commencement Speaker

Contact:
Barry Johnson
Email:
btjohnson@ccp.edu

McClinton has represented the 191st Legislative District since 2015 and has a longstanding commitment to public service 

PHILADELPHIA – Community College of Philadelphia today announced that Pennsylvania House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton will be this year’s keynote speaker for the College’s virtual commencement ceremony set for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 8. In November 2020, Rep. McClinton was elected the House Democratic Leader for the 2021–2022 legislative session, making her the only Black woman to ever hold a party leadership position in Harrisburg. Before that, in November 2018, McClinton was elected House Democratic Caucus chair by her colleagues, making her the first woman and first African American to serve in that leadership role. 

This year’s commencement ceremony will honor both 2020 and 2021 graduates. Rep. McClinton’s keynote will focus on how the transformative power of education, the importance of service, and the tenacity graduates have displayed during such an unpredictable time, given the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are pleased to officially announce that House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton will serve as this year’s commencement keynote speaker,” said College President Dr. Donald Guy Generals. “Leader McClinton has long been an avid Community College of Philadelphia supporter and has championed many issues that disproportionately impact our students and Philadelphians at large. From advancing criminal justice reform to bringing attention to social inequality, she continues to serve as a much-needed advocate in Harrisburg and throughout our region.” 

A lifelong resident of southwest Philadelphia, Rep. McClinton has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service. Prior to representing the 191st Legislative District, she served as an assistant public defender for seven years at the Defender’s Association of Philadelphia and would later become assistant chief of the east zone during her last three years at the office. In 2013, she became chief counsel to state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, where she developed policy and legislation, organized expungement clinics and public policy forums, as well as resolved issues for constituents in the Philadelphia and Harrisburg offices.  

“It is my honor and my privilege to be able to help celebrate the incredible achievement of these graduates and their loved ones, and I cannot wait to see them continue to achieve as they enter the local workforce and make their communities a better place or take on new academic challenges,” said House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia/Delaware. “I’m also proud to stand with The Community College of Philadelphia – such an amazing resource making our area an even better place to live, work and raise a family.” 

Rep. McClinton received her Bachelor of Arts in political science from La Salle University and earned her Juris Doctor from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.  

She has received several honors and awards including: City and State PA's 40 Under 40; the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia's Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year award; Successful Women Achieving Goals' Women of the Year award; Fun Times Magazine's Women of Influence Award; the PRE-K for PA Champion award; the Spirit of a Dove Community Servant award; the Lucien E. Blackwell Guiding Light Community award; and the Black Gala Women of Excellence award. 

###

 
Barry Johnson
Media Specialist
Community College of Philadelphia
1700 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
btjohnson@ccp.edu