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February 23, 2023 - King of Prussia, PA

PA Turnpike Hosts Talent Showcase Event at King of Prussia Service Plaza

The PA Turnpike Commission has partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the area's talent at the turnpike's King of Prussia Service Plaza.

"We gather today to reflect on the significance and richness of our shared cultural experiences," said PA Turnpike Commissioner Wadud Ahmad. "We are also here to connect with, and promote, Black artists in the region and across the commonwealth.

"I am so pleased to see this space being filled with art, dance, music and the spoken word. We are hopeful that travelers stopping here today will head back out on the roadway a bit lighter in heart and in spirit."

Speakers Include:
Catherine Clements-Jenkins, Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Charles Duncan, Chief Compliance & Diversity Officer
Wadud Ahmad, Commissioner
Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners
Tameka Hatcher, Mistress of Ceremonies

Performances By:
Dance Exhibition - Ballerina Taylor Johnson
Spoken Word Selections - Poet Maria James-Thiaw
Musical Selections - The Positive Force Experience



Sixteen-year-old ballerina Taylor Johnson dances during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_006.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Positive Force Experience band plays during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_002.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> From left; Wadud Ahmad, PA Turnpike Commissioner, Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, and Tameka Hatcher, with the PA Turnpike Commission Office of Diversity and Inclusion, talk together during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_003.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Books are pictured during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_004.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Positive Force Experience band singer Nicole Mount during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_005.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Sixteen-year-old ballerina Taylor Johnson dances during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_001.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Commissioner Wadud Ahmad, of PA Turnpike Commission, delivers a poem during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_007.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Tameka Hatcher, with the PA Turnpike Commission Office of Diversity and Inclusion, left, smiles with The Positive Force Experience band members, Vanessa Jackson, center, and Nicole Mount, right, during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_008.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Positive Force Experience band drummer Sterling Ingram plays during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_009.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Sixteen-year-old ballerina Taylor Johnson dances during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_010.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Poet Maria James-Thiaw delivers a poem during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_011.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Tameka Hatcher, with the PA Turnpike Commission Office of Diversity and Inclusion, left, smiles with Poet Maria James-Thiaw during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_012.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Books are pictured during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_013.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Positive Force Experience band singer Vanessa Jackson during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_014.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> People enjoy a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_015.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Sixteen-year-old ballerina Taylor Johnson dances during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_016.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The Positive Force Experience band plays during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_017.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Poet Maria James-Thiaw delivers a poem during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_018.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Tameka Hatcher, with the PA Turnpike Commission Office of Diversity and Inclusion, speaks during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_019.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Commissioner Wadud Ahmad, of PA Turnpike Commission, delivers a poem during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_020.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> The interior of the service plaza is pictured during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_021.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Catherine Clements-Jenkins, Director of Diversity & Inclusion with PA Turnpike Commission, speaks during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_022.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Sixteen-year-old ballerina Taylor Johnson dances during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_023.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Chair, Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, speaks during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_024.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Commissioner Wadud Ahmad, of PA Turnpike Commission, delivers a poem during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_025.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Tameka Hatcher, with the PA Turnpike Commission Office of Diversity and Inclusion, speaks during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_026.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Charles Duncan, Chief Compliance & Diversity Officer with PA Turnpike Commission, speaks during a talent show put on by the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), which partnered with African American artists and performers in Southeastern Pa. to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the areas talent, at the turnpikes King of Prussia Service Plaza on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The first annual PTC Black History Month Talent Showcase Event was designed to celebrate black culture and share the African American experience, highlighting Art as an Act of Resistance.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/22552_PTC_BlackHistory_NK_027.JPG" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>