State Rep. Jordan Harris joined Beyond Literacy on Thursday to receive the national Champion in Action Award acknowledging his work to create workforce development and boost literacy rates for adult learners.
The Beyond Literacy program is a free adult education class that has catalyzed adult learners for empowerment, job opportunities, and brighter futures. In a city where 52% of adults read below a sixth-grade level, Beyond Literacy works through different programs to prepare their diverse pool of students for higher education or transition into the workforce with technician training, financial literacy, tech workshops, college application assistance, and more.
“I believe it’s the responsibility of government to give people equal access and opportunity. Now what you do with the opportunity is up to you, but we have a responsibility to make sure you have the opportunity,” said Harris to a class of learners at Beyond Literacy. “Sometimes we’ve got to come back and retool ourselves and learn new skills and new tools that are out there. So I appreciate all of you for being brave enough.”
Harris, D-186th District, accepted his award from Beyond Literacy CEO Kimmell Proctor and Chief Program and Impact Director Dawn Hannah. He spoke about being born and raised in Philadelphia and beginning his career as a public school teacher in West and South Philadelphia, which he represents in state government.
As chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Harris said he is invested in creating channels for all his constituents to have chances in a skilled workforce and opportunities for a living wage.
Beyond Literacy’s locations in West Philadelphia, Center City and North Philadelphia have served over 2,000 adult learners in 2024. More than 60% of learners identified as Black and 51% enrolled as English language learners. Every learner reported that the classes boosted their confidence in their literary skills and helped their children, if applicable.
Harris then spoke briefly about the recent transition into the Trump-Vance administration. The legislator and Beyond Literacy officials ensured they were doing what they could in their powers to keep people safe and informed about their constitutional rights — especially as it pertains to immigration law.
“We don’t subscribe to what the president’s administration feels like with regard to our brothers and sisters who may not have documentation at this time. We believe that if you are here, you deserve to be educated. People without documentation pay into our system, and many of them don’t get the benefit of the system that they’re paying into,” Harris said.
As Harris concluded his remarks at the tech workshop that coincided with his awards speech, he confirmed that his role in state government and his values have not been moved.
“As far as I’m concerned, and as far as the governor’s concerned when we’ve talked about (immigration), is that the federal government can do whatever they want to do, but as far as our money on a state level, that will have no bearing on what organizations we support or organizations that we fund,” he said.
