PHILADELPHIA – Today, Mayor Kenney appointed Joyce Wilkerson to serve on the Philadelphia School Reform Commission (SRC) effective as of November 3, 2016. Her first Action Meeting as Commissioner will be on November 15, 2016, when she’ll join current Commission members Farrah Jimenez, Sylvia Simms, and Bill Green.
“In the coming years, it’s important that the SRC continues to build on the District’s recent gains while also preparing for a smooth transition to greater local control,” said Mayor Kenney. “I am confident that Joyce’s strong fiscal management skills, and experience working in community engagement and for a variety of quasi-governmental organizations will enable her to succeed in this important role.”
“Education is the most important issue facing our city and I am honored that Mayor Kenney appointed me to serve the children and families of Philadelphia. I look forward to using my extensive experience in public service to help strengthen our public education system,” said Joyce Wilkerson. “I also want to thank Temple University for its support. This will entail a huge time commitment and I have received nothing but encouragement from the university’s leadership because it aligns with Temple’s commitment to education and the children of Philadelphia.”
“Joyce Wilkerson is brilliant and deeply knowledgeable about all facets of government,” said Council President Darrell L. Clarke. “I am pleased that Mayor Kenney has appointed her to serve on the School Reform Commission at this critical time. Joyce is a pro at balancing competing interests in the pursuit of fairness, and it only helps that she also is graceful and caring. I look forward to working with her and the SRC as we advocate for the resources our children deserve while transitioning to locally controlled governance to restore the public’s confidence in District operations.”
“Joyce Wilkerson’s record of public service and years of experience will be a tremendous asset on the School Reform Commission. I look forward to working with her to improve schools and increase learning opportunities for children across Philadelphia,” said Dr. William Hite, Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Helen Gym added, “Joyce Wilkerson is a seasoned public servant who has worked diligently on behalf of Philadelphia for many years. The appointment of both Joyce Wilkerson and Estelle Richman will set a new direction for the SRC.”
“Joyce Wilkerson is a very capable individual who has served the city with distinction. We look forward to working with her to improve students’ learning conditions and educators’ working conditions, as well as working towards a swift resolution of a fair contract for Philadelphia’s educators,” commented Jerry Jordan, President of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.
Joyce Wilkerson’s Biography:
For the last two years, Joyce Wilkerson has served as senior advisor to Temple University for community relations and development. In this role, Wilkerson coordinates various community-related projects, including pending plans led by Temple and the Laborers’ District Council Education and Training/Apprenticeship fund to establish educational programming and a new Career Technical Education Center at the former site of William Penn High School.
A Cleveland native, Wilkerson started her career in Philadelphia as an attorney with Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. In 1992, when then-Councilman Street became City Council President, Wilkerson joined his staff. She continued to work as Street’s chief of staff when he became mayor in 2000. During this time, Wilkerson quarterbacked the Administration’s stabilization of the Philadelphia Gas Works and chaired the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Housing Authority. After Mayor Street left office, Wilkerson relocated to New Orleans where she served as executive director of the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. For two years she led efforts to invest federal resources to support the restoration of the historic city’s neighborhoods after Hurricane Katrina. Wilkerson has served on a number of boards and is currently a member of the boards of directors at the Merchant Fund, Scribe Video Center, Brandywine Workshop and Committee of Seventy. Wilkerson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley.