The Foundation for Pottstown Education congratulates Board Member John Foster on being recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Cubia Dee Harris Award for Social Justice.  The award is being presented to Mr Foster by HIP HOP Inc. and the family of Cubia Dee Harris at the 2017 HIP HOP Inc. Impact Awards.

The late Cubia Dee Harris, was a founding member of the Board of Directors of HIP HOP Inc. Mr. Harris was also a lifelong member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mr. Harris was renowned for his work in the field of photography. He used photography as a means of advocating for social justice and equality. Due to Mr. Harris’ keen eye, African American leaders, such as K. Leroy Irvis and Eugene Wilder were featured in publications such as Time Magazine and the Philadelphia Tribune. Mr. Harris also spent countless hours teaching photography to youth in the “bad-lands” of North Philadelphia.

According to Shay Peterson-Godbolt, Vice President of HIP HOP Inc. and the great granddaughter of Mr. Harris, “John Foster is a great choice to receive the 1st  Cubia Dee Harris Award for Social Justice. Like my great grandfather, Mr. Foster started from humble beginnings and has worked to make a difference in the greater Pottstown community. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation, the Foundation for Pottstown Education and Operation Inspiration. He also had an inspirational career as a chief chemist and Director of Continuous Improvement at the Cabot Corporation in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. As a youth development organization, HIP HOP Inc. works to inspire local youth to believe that they can be anything they want to be. Mr. Foster, along with my great grandfather are great examples that with hard work, one can truly be anything they aspire to be.”

The awards ceremony, which will be a red-carpet affair, will bring together local youth, parents, community leaders, educators, entertainers and social justice advocates to honor award recipients, promote volunteerism and advocate for local youth.

The red-carpet event will be held on April 21st, 2017 and will begin with at 6:00pm. The awards ceremony will be held in Bomberger Hall, which is located on the campus of Ursinus College, 601 East Main Street, Collegeville, Pennsylvania.