4 Black community leaders honored for their service to youth in Reading

Feb. 13—City Council celebrated Black History Month by recognizing the contributions of African Americans in Reading.

This year's theme, African Americans in the Arts, showcases the work of Black Americans in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary arts and other forms of cultural expression.

In keeping with the theme, four local Black men were honored for their leadership and community service during a ceremony Monday at council's regular meeting:

—Theron Cook, an artist, entrepreneur and founder of the Theron Cook Art Don't Quit Foundation, which serves the community through public art projects.

—Ebony McNeil, the manager of a credit union and founder of The Forge, an organization dedicated to helping men better themselves.

—Stephan Fains, director of community engagement for Berks Community Action Program and a founder of Teen Takeovers, a program aimed at decreasing teen violence by boosting morale and encouraging goal accomplishment.

—Tyler Simmons, owner of The Plug shoe store and creator of a reward initiative for meritorious students in the Reading School District.

Cook and the other men thanked council for the recognition.

"I love the city of Reading," Fains said. "I'll do anything for this city and hopefully, my work shows that."

McNeil agreed, saying, "We all care about the city and want to make a difference."

Simmons credited several Black business owners who inspired him while growing up in Reading.

"I want to recognize the forefathers and mothers that came before me," he said, "because without them, I wouldn't be standing here. They gave me a vision and they let me know that anything was possible no matter where you come from."

Simmons' role models included Charlie G. Haynes, founder of a Reading barber school; Jonathan Beckett, longtime owner of a barbecue restaurant; and Simmons' aunt, Gwendolyn Perry, who owned a hair salon on Buttonwood Street.

"Without them, you wouldn't see a Tyler Simmons," he said. "Because they looked like me, I knew anything is possible."

The ceremony began with a proclamation read by Councilman Wesley Butler, who asked Stacey Taylor, president of the Reading Branch NAACP, to join him at the podium.

"Looking across the room, I see the great diversity that we have within the council," Taylor said, "and I can't tell you how pleased I am at that. It just goes to show the work that's being done within our community."

Taylor said she is particularly excited to celebrate Black History Month this year because of the many accomplishments of Blacks within the local community and across the country.

Although there have been great strides made, she said, there is still work to be done.

Council Vice President Melissa Ventura asked all those attending in person and virtually to think about what Black History Month means to them personally.

"For me," she said, "it's recognizing, honoring, commending those that paved the way for simple things, just as sitting together in a room, sitting at the table together and using public bathrooms."