Shapiro Admin. Launches Listening Tour to Hear from African American PAians | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - Today, the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs (GACAAA) announced the launch of a new Cultural Conversations listening tour across Pennsylvania, creating opportunities for residents to directly share their lived experiences and help shape policies that affect Black communities throughout the Commonwealth.

"Public service only becomes impactful when we pause to hear people's needs," said ExecutiveDirector of the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs Sierra Dunn. "These Cultural Conversations are designed to create space for honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. We want Pennsylvanians to know that their experiences, ideas, and priorities matter-and that their voices will help shape the future of our Commonwealth."

The Commission's purpose is to gather information regarding African American Pennsylvanians' experiences and needs; review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting them; provide the Governor with information and recommendations regarding how best to meet their needs; and serve as a liaison from the Governor's office to the community, providing information about programs and services that may be relevant to the needs of African American Pennsylvanians. The Commission was established by Governor Josh Shapiro through an Executive Order.

This Cultural Conversations initiative brings together residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss issues that directly impact everyday life, including healthcare, education, public safety, economic opportunity, and justice. Through town halls, roundtables, and listening sessions, the Commission ensures that the lived experiences of Pennsylvanians inform policy recommendations and strengthen connections between state government and local communities.

The Cultural Conversations listening sessions will take place in nine counties across the Commonwealth:

Delaware County - August 5, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM

Mercer County - August 11, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM

Dauphin County - August 21, 2026, 5:30-7:00 PM

Philadelphia County - August 27, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM

Northampton County - August 31, 2026, 12:00-2:00 PM

Montgomery County - September 2, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM

Allegheny County - September 9, 2026, 5:00-7:30 PM

Erie County - September 29, 2026, 4:00-6:00 PM

Berks County - October 2, 2026, 2:00-4:00 PM

Community members interested in attending are encouraged to register early, as space may be limited in certain counties.

Throughout the last three years, the Commission on African American Affairs has supported the Shapiro Administration's commitment to advancing equity and opportunity across Pennsylvania. With the help of the Commission, Governor Shapiro has made historic investments in education, including increasing funding for k-12 schools by more than $3 billion, providing universal free breakfast for 1.7 million students, and investing more than $300 million for student mental health and school safety. The Administration has also re-established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and provided more than $1 billion in grants through the Commission on Crime and Delinquency to address and prevent gun violence in our communities. Additionally, the Administration has prioritized maternal health through expanded Medicaid coverage for doulas and has invested $17.5 million over the last three years to address maternal mortality, particularly among Black and Brown women.

The Governor's signed 2026-27 budget also increases funding for small, minority owned businesses to $23.75 million through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program, provides $1.1 million for Lincoln University under the new performance-based funding formula for the first time ever, and expands the Grow PA scholarship program to $42.5 million to help students access affordable pathways into high-demand careers.

To learn more about the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, follow the Commission on Facebook and Instagram.