2023 UNCF Women of Faith for Education Afternoon Tea – Philadelphia
We invite you to join us as we celebrate the ninth annual Philadelphia Region UNCF Women of Faith for Education Afternoon Tea. This event will take place on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, beginning at 1:30 p.m. UNCF’s Women of Faith for Education Afternoon Tea is one of the most anticipated events of the year. We honor “spirit-filled” women from the Philadelphia region who have contributed to the community, in general, or the cause of education for our young people—recognizing leaders of the past, present and future. You will be joining an illustrious group, while supporting a worthy cause, by participating in our afternoon tea at one of the premier sponsorship levels. UNCF, our member colleges and universities, and the young people we serve need your support now more than ever.
Rev. Dr. Phaedra D. Blocker is a preacher, teacher, consultant, retreat leader, and singer. Founder and Principal of Word&Wisdom, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations (particularly clergy and congregations) to move toward wholeness and actualize their potential as agents of change and shalom in the world. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Clergy & Congregational Wellness, a nonprofit organization that empowers ministry leaders to facilitate health and wholeness in themselves, their ministry contexts, and their adjacent communities. Dr. Blocker serves as Affiliate Professor in Leadership & Formation at Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University, where she teaches in the Seminary’s Masters and Doctoral programs, as well as in the University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral program. She has served in pastoral leadership in both large and small congregations, and currently serves as Interim Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Newark, DE. Her 20-plus years of ministry experience include oversight of Christian education and pastoral care and counseling ministries, women’s ministry, drama ministry, evangelism and outreach ministries, and music ministry. She also has more than 30 years’ experience in management, community relations, communications and marketing, and program, leadership, and organizational development. A graduate of Temple University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, Dr. Blocker earned a Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Transformation from Northern Theological Seminary. She has also completed graduate-level course work in Government Administration at the Fels Center of Government, University of Pennsylvania, and done clinical training in marriage and family therapy at the Council for Relationships. She is a certified Civil Conversations Facilitator.
Dr. Blocker’s recent professional affiliations have included serving on the boards of the Transforming Center, which equips leaders to guide their churches and organizations to become spiritually transforming communities; and Grace & Race Ministries, Inc., which provides racial reconciliation ministry, conflict resolution, leadership development and educational opportunities. She is a member of the Steering Committee for the Inter-Seminary Initiative of Interfaith Philadelphia, Spiritual Directors International, and the Spiritual Caregivers Network of the American Baptist Home Mission Society. She is the recipient of citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the City of Philadelphia for service “to the faith and business communities,” as well as a Legion of Honor Award from the Chaplain of the Four Chaplains, for “…service to community, nation, or humanity without regard to race, religion or creed.”
A guiding verse for her life is Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Salima will be an honoree and will be receiving the Dr. Hyacinth Bob-Grannum Keeper of the Flame Award.
Salima Suswell serves as National Senior Advisor and Pennsylvania Executive Director for Emgage, the nation’s largest Muslim American civic engagement organization. Salima is a nationally-renowned leader in advocacy and policy initiatives. Salima founded Evolve Solutions, a management consulting firm twelve years ago to address the racial and socio-economic disparities within the black community. Evolve Solutions provides from the ground floor up, political and policy development that positively impacts community engagement outcomes.
Salima also serves on the Leadership Council for the Philadelphia United Negro College Fund; and in 2017 Salima made history as the first Muslim woman appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women by Governor Tom Wolf; in 2020 Salima was appointed by Mayor James Kenney to the Mayor’s Commission for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs.
In 2018, Salima founded the Philadelphia Ramadan & Eid Fund, a non-profit organization that oversees the annual PREF Ramadan Iftar Dinner, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha festivities, community food distributions, youth programming, toy drives and more. PREF’s mission is to provide the community with Ramadan and Eid programming and shared experiences for children, youth and families, while celebrating the rich diversity within our region.
Salima has received distinguished honors and awards from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pennsylvania State Senate, Philadelphia City Council, the Women-UP Organization, City and State Magazine, the Muslim Youth Association, The Philadelphia Public Record, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the prestigious Faatimah Gamble Legacy Award. In November 2019, Salima was honored by The Philadelphia Inquirer as a Diversity and Inclusion Pioneer.
Since 2009, the Reverend Leslie D. Callahan, Ph.D., has served as senior pastor of the St. Paul’s Baptist Church. She is the fifth pastor and first woman to serve in that role in the church’s 133-year history.
Dr. Callahan earned the Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Harvard University/Radcliffe, the Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion from Princeton University. She was ordained in 1997 at Judson Memorial Church and served congregations in Princeton, NJ, and the Philadelphia suburbs.
Dr. Callahan has served on the faculty of New York Theological Seminary (NYTS) as Assistant Professor of Modern Church History and African American Studies. Prior to her time at NYTS, she was a member of the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania as assistant professor of religious studies.
In addition to her ministry and scholarly pursuits, Dr. Callahan enjoys traveling, golfing, reading, movies, and sports. She is also an active member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Callahan’s chief joy is that she is the proud mother of Annabelle Inez.
Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) is a 43-year-old community-based non-profit organization serving low-income pregnant people and families with young children in communities throughout Southeast PA. impacted by poverty and systemic inequities. With 9 direct service sites and over 20 programs, including Policy, Advocacy, Research and Evaluation Teams, MCC has served nearly 150,000 families since 1980. MCC envisions a future where parents impacted by racial and social inequities in SE PA can birth with dignity, parent with autonomy, and raise babies who are healthy, growing, and thriving.
Reception~Vendors~Photo-Ops
Afternoon Tea
New Covenant Church of Philadelphia
7500 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19119
Women of Faith (Title Sponsor) – $10,000
- Preferred Seating for 20 guests
- Full recognition as Title Sponsor on all UNCF Philadelphia office social media outlets for one year
- Opportunity to show 2-minute video to be aired during event and posted on UNCF Philadelphia website for one year
- Special Event Recognition
- Official Photo Opportunities
- Full page ad displayed during program
Women of Courage – $5,000
- Preferred Seating for 15 guests
- Full recognition as Sponsor on all UNCF Philadelphia office social media outlets for one year
- Opportunity to show 1-minute video to be aired during event and posted on UNCF Philadelphia website for one year
- Special Event Recognition
- Official Photo Opportunities
- Full page ad displayed during program
Women of Sacrifice – $2,500
- Preferred Seating for 10 guests
- Full recognition as Sponsor on all UNCF Philadelphia office social media outlets for one year
- Official Photo Opportunities
- Half page ad displayed during program
Women of Praise – $1,000
- Seating for 8 guests
- Recognition as Sponsor on all UNCF Philadelphia office social media outlets for one year
- Quarter page ad displayed during program
Women of Promise – $500
- Seating for 5 guests
- Recognition as Sponsor for event
- Name Listing displayed during program
Individual Tickets – $60
All Donations Any Amount Welcomed and Accepted