The Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs (GACAAA) announced the launch of a new Cultural Conversations listening tour across Pennsylvania.
“Public service only becomes impactful when we pause to hear people’s needs,” said Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs Sierra Dunn. “These Cultural Conversations are designed to create space for honest dialogue about the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. We want Pennsylvanians to know that their experiences, ideas, and priorities matter—and that their voices will help shape the future of our Commonwealth.”
The Commission’s purpose is to gather information regarding African American Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs; review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting them; provide the Governor with information and recommendations regarding how best to meet their needs; and serve as a liaison from the Governor’s office to the community, providing information about programs and services that may be relevant to the needs of African American Pennsylvanians.
This Cultural Conversations initiative brings together residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to discuss issues that directly impact everyday life, including healthcare, education, public safety, economic opportunity, and justice. Through town halls, roundtables, and listening sessions, the Commission ensures that the lived experiences of Pennsylvanians inform policy recommendations and strengthen connections between state government and local communities.
The Cultural Conversations listening sessions will take place in nine counties across the Commonwealth:
Delaware County — August 5, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM
Mercer County — August 11, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM
Dauphin County — August 21, 2026, 5:30–7:00 PM
Philadelphia County — August 27, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM
Northampton County — August 31, 2026, 12:00–2:00 PM
Montgomery County — September 2, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM
Allegheny County — September 9, 2026, 5:00–7:30 PM
Erie County — September 29, 2026, 4:00–6:00 PM
Berks County — October 2, 2026, 2:00–4:00 PM
Community members interested in attending are encouraged to register early, as space may be limited in certain counties.
