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Officers of the Allentown NAACP did not publicly comment on an unauthorized letter sent to Mayor Matt Tuerk last month alleging widespread racism in City Hall. Attendees of the group's monthly meeting urged the chapter to stick up for employees of color in city government.
LehighValleyNews.com | By Tom Shortell
Aug 17, 2023
Phoebe Harris and April Riddick called on the Allentown NAACP to go to bat for city workers facing racism in Allentown. NAACP officers did not publicly address a letter sent to Mayor Matt Tuerk last month, which called on him to root out racism in the workplace.
Allentown's new HR director is out after 2 months on the job
LehighValleyNews.com | By Tom Shortell Published August 19, 2023 at 2:55 PM EDT
At NAACP ALLENTOWN UNIT, we are committed to fighting for civil rights and social justice for all. Our mission is to use our legal expertise to empower marginalized communities and promote equality in all aspects of society.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Nadeem Shahzad, the city's human resources director of nearly two months, claimed he was illegally fired Friday at a time when City Hall is facing scrutiny over the treatment of minority employees.
In a Friday evening email to Mayor Matt Tuerk, Shahzad said he intended to pursue federal and state litigation against the city for terminating him without valid cause.
"My hope is that through the legal process, the truth will prevail and justice will be served," Shahzad wrote in the email obtained by LehighValleyNews.com
- Nadeem Shahzad is out as Allentown's human resources director after less than two months on the job
- In an email to Mayor Matt Tuerk, Shahzad threatened legal action and raised concerns about the city's treatment of minority employees
- His departure comes amid complaints by the Allentown NAACP over allegations of discrimination and racism in city government
In a text Saturday evening, city spokeswoman Genesis Ortega said that Shahzad was not terminated but resigned. She declined further comment, saying the city does not comment on personnel matters.
City council unanimously hired Shahzad on June 28. He previously served as director of human resources for Delaware County and regional human resources director for Nassau County, New York. Efforts to contact Shahzad seeking comment Saturday were not immediately successful.
In the email, Shahzad alludes to a discussion between him and Tuerk over "the treatment of minority employees and the perceived bias in hiring practices." He also wrote that he refused to follow directives about firing another HR employee because he believed it was against the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
"My intention was never to disrespect your leadership, but rather to advocate for an environment where every individual feels valued and appreciated for their unique contributions," Shahzad wrote.
"It is concerning that a little over a month after Nadeem started that he's already leaving. I think we're owed an explanation from the administration."
Ce-Ce Gerlach, Allentown City Council member
Tuerk did not immediately return a phone call or text seeking comment Saturday. Council members Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Ce-Ce Gerlach said they learned of Shahzad's departure late Friday but knew few details.
"It is concerning that a little over a month after Nadeem started that he's already leaving," Gerlach said. "I think we're owed an explanation from the administration."
NAACP allegations
Shahzad's termination comes about a month after the Allentown NAACP sent a five-page letter to Tuerk expressing grave concerns over reports of racism and discrimination under his administration.
The allegations ranged from white police officers being allowed to cheat on tests — thus giving them a leg up on opportunities for promotions — to the city failing to follow its own bylaws over job postings to not providing minority employees the same job training opportunities provided to white workers.
The letter had the names of the chapter's leadership, but President Walt Felton and Vice President Dan Bosket said the letter was not authorized. NAACP leadership would not publicly discuss the status of the letter during a general membership meeting Thursday night, and Bosket declined to discuss the letter or its allegations Friday.
Tuerk has not commented on the allegations within the letter but denied in an email to all city employees that his administration was ignoring allegations of racism or discrimination.
In that email, he encouraged employees to report allegations of discrimination to his office, the legal department or HR — which is now without a director.
About NAACP ALLENTOWN UNIT
Rev. A. Addison Young and Mrs. Esther Lee, two prominent civil rights leaders,
Rev. A. Addison Young and Mrs. Esther Lee, two prominent civil rights leaders, met at Payrow Plaza on Sunday, August 27. They were part of a commemorative event marking the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. The pastor of St. James AME Zion Church in Allentown and the president of the NAACP Bethlehem Branch exchanged greetings and shared their memories of the original march.
Rev. A. Addison Young
Rev. A. Addison Young, St. James AMEZ Church
St. James A.M.E.Z welcomes its new pastor, A. Addison Young, a dynamic and inspiring leader. You are invited to join us for worship every Sunday at 410 Union Street, Allentown, PA. The service begins at 11:30 AM and lasts for about an hour. Come and experience the power of God's word and action through Pastor Young's ministry.
Valley Wealth Alliance Golf Event
Valley Wealth Alliance Golf Event
We are thrilled to announce our annual charity golf event, which will take place on [date], and we cordially invite you to join us for a day of fun on the green while supporting our efforts to provide financial literacy programs to children in our community. As we continue to grow rapidly, we are committed to offering vital life skills to children as young as five, with the aim of leading them to adulthood with a solid understanding of basic money concepts and the ability to establish good credit scores for their first apartments.
MISSION
One of our society's most pressing challenges is the widening gap between the rich and the poor. This gap undermines social cohesion and economic growth and deprives millions of people of accessing basic opportunities and services. To address this challenge, we propose a comprehensive strategy to empower the low to moderate-income community and enable them to participate fully in the economic system. Our process includes providing access to quality education, health care, housing, and financial services and creating inclusive and sustainable employment opportunities. By doing so, we hope to close the gap of economic disparity and create a more equitable and prosperous society for all.We are delighted to share the news of our 2023 Valley Wealth Alliance "Invest in Your Future" scholarship award recipients. Our warmest congratulations go to Sahira Montanez from Executive Education Academy Charter School. Sahira has been accepted into a dual program at Bucks CCC and Temple University, starting in the fall. She has maintained a 3.6 GPA throughout her high school years and has demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic potential. We are honored to support her educational journey and welcome her to our scholarship program.
We also extend our congratulations to the other scholarship winners: Alejandro Cruz from EHS, Lola Colon from LHS, Alba Lopez from EHS, and Sofia Lugo from WHS. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.
Registration is limited to 100 golfers, so don't wait too long to secure your spot. Your registration fee includes a hot breakfast sandwich, 18 holes of team scramble, food at the turn, dinner, awards banquet, golf cart rental, driving range, putting green, complimentary drinks, a raffle ticket, and networking opportunities. The registration deadline is September 1, 2023.
JOIN THE NAACP
NAACP.ORG - Allentown 2 Branch 247
The time is now. By becoming a member of NAACP, you'll join a network of activists standing up to injustice, fighting back against systemic racism, and answering the call for equality.
KNOW THE ISSUES
Learn more about the issues NAACP tackles every day to dismantle racism and build Black political, social, and economic power.
We're committed to dismantling racism and disrupting inequality to create a society where all people can truly be free. Our work includes civic engagement, systemically building racial equity, and supporting policies and institutions that prioritize the urgent needs of Black people, who are most impacted by race-based discrimination.
From city halls to the Supreme Court, using advocacy and litigation, we will secure civil rights for everyone.
Each and every NAACP member makes a difference .t
WE NEED YOU IN THE FIGHT
Each and every NAACP member makes a difference to the complex, ongoing work of advancing racial equity. have driven the hardest-fought wins for civil rights and social justice — with you by our side, we can accelerate the next milestones for Black Americans.
Education Innovation
WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
An end to the school-to-prison pipeline
Police officers don't make schools safer. But police presence in schools does increase the likelihood that Black students will be introduced to the legal system and then remain in it. I
NAACP President Derrick Johnson
MSNBC: Leaders of March on Washington 60th anniversary seek 'a continuation' of original movement
Leaders including Reverend Al Sharpton, Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson, and Andrea Waters King join Morning Joe to emphasize the ongoing challenges, from hate crimes to eroding civil rights. The event aims to showcase unity across racial, gender, and generational lines and emphasizes the need for collective action to address pressing societal issues.
The Hill: Civil rights leaders reflect on the state of the struggle ahead of March on Washington
The Hill: Civil rights leaders reflect on the state of the struggle ahead of March on Washington
NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who was alongside Courtland Cox, one of the co-organizers for the march and a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, said 60 years after the march, the fight for civil rights will still continue.
NBC News: The March on Washington's core ideas resonate 60 years later
NBC News: The March on Washington's core ideas resonate 60 years later
There’s been a concerted effort to galvanize younger generations to participate in anniversary activities. National Action Network’s Youth and College Division has been “extremely” engaged, Sharpton said. The NAACP said its youth and college members will join campaign teams on the ground to help register voters.
The Hill: Civil rights leaders reflect on the state of the struggle ahead of March on Washington
The Hill: Civil rights leaders reflect on the state of the struggle ahead of March on Washington
NAACP President Derrick Johnson, who was alongside Courtland Cox, one of the co-organizers for the march and a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, said 60 years after the march, the fight for civil rights will still continue.
CBS News: Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech continues to inspire 60 years later
CBS News: Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech continues to inspire 60 years later
“I'm very worried about the country right now,” said Kraft when he spoke at the 114th NAACP Convention in Boston earlier in August. He was joined by NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and rapper Meek Mill.
NAACP ALLENTOWN BRANCH NEWS
Leaders including Reverend Al Sharpton, Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson, and Andrea Waters King join Morning Joe to emphasize the ongoing challenges, from hate crimes to eroding civil rights. The event aims to showcase unity across racial, gender, and generational lines and emphasizes the need for collective action to address pressing societal issues.
Email to the Press from Women in the NAACP (W.I.N.)
We're responding to the decision that the Allentown School board made last night., October 27, 2022, regarding the interim School Superintendent Dr. Carol Birks.
The NAACP, Women in the NAACP (W.I.N), has deliberated over this matter.
And we are demanding that the PA State Board of Education take over all operations of the Allentown School District immediately.
We still need an answer as to why Dr. John Stanford, an exemplary Superintendent, was fired from the Allentown School District. At the same time, the board has hired an Interim Superintendent, who has been fired from Chester, PA, School Board and New Haven, CT, School Board.
Shawn Redmond, President NAACP Allentown Youth Branch
Video of Shawn Redmond, President NAACP Allentown Youth Branch, speaking at the St. Timothy Lutheran Church Welcome Worship Center Land of Promise Worship On Wednesdays (WOW) June 22,2022, at 7PM. The WOW will be held each Wednesday through August at 7:00 PM, 140 S. Ott St, Allentown 18104.
