In the Press
In the Press
December 7, 2023
Daily Times Chronicle
Bob Holmes
Procedural concerns upend CATO quest to honor late NBA legend Bill Russell
The Select Board meeting in Reading addressed the ongoing efforts to honor Bill Russell, the basketball legend who faced racial abuse during his time in the town. CATO, Led by Philmore Phillip II, Tara Gregory, and Linda Snow Dockser, proposed the formation of the Bill Russell Ad-Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee (BRACE) to explore ways of acknowledging and expressing accountability for the mistreatment Russell and his family endured. The proposed committee would consist of seven Reading residents and three associate members with diverse backgrounds. Some board members expressed concerns about the process, including the need to obtain consent from Russell’s family before incorporating his name into any programming. While appreciating the presentation, the Board discussed potential challenges, such as overburdening town staff and issues related to funding and committee structure.
Despite concerns, CATO members emphasized the importance of addressing racial injustice and honoring Russell’s legacy. They urged the Board to move beyond procedural questions and take tangible steps towards recognizing Russell’s contributions to civil rights. The meeting highlighted the broader goal of creating meaningful change and acknowledging the historical measurement of Russell and his family in Reading. Members of CATO called on the Board to uphold the commitments outlined in their August 2022 proclamation and move forward with planning an event to honor Russell. The discussion underscored the urgency of taking concrete actions to fulfill the town’s promises and confront its historical challenges with racism.
March 6, 2023
Daily Times Chronicle
Mac Cerullo
CATO forum tonight to focus on Bill Russell’s legacy
Decades ago, basketball legend Bill Russell faced racial abuse during his time in Reading, marked by a disturbing incident where his home was broken into, vandalized with slurs, and his bed defecated upon. CATO - The Coalition of Us and the Reading Library are now addressing the question of how Reading has changed since the 1960s in a presentation on Russell’s life and legacy. The closed registration event aims to explore the community’s evolution, ongoing challenges, and the vision for a shared future. Interested individuals are also encouraged to watch the new documentary, “Bill Russell: Legend,” for more insights into Russell’s life.
In a discussion led by CATO, the presentation delves into the history of racial incidents involving Russell in Reading, emphasizing the need for reflection on the community’s transformation and the shared commitment to envisioning a more inclusive future.
March 2, 2022
Jason Lewis State Senate
Senator Jason Lewis
Senator Lewis Nominates Philmore Phillip II, Founder of CATO, as a Black Excellence on the Hill Honoree
Senator Jason Lewis has nominated Philmore Phillip II, a 2009 graduate of Reading Memorial High School and founder of CATO - The Coalition of Us, as a 2022 Black Excellence on the Hill honoree. The annual event hosted by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus in Massachusetts acknowledges and celebrate Black community leaders and trailblazers. Mr. Phillip, a former METCO student, established CATO to promote social awareness, opportunities, and support for people of color through collaboration and engagement in events, programs, and educational initiatives. Senator Lewis commended Phillip’s efforts in advancing racial equity, particularly his work shedding light on the history of enslaved Black people in Reading.
“I’m proud to have nominated Philmore as a Black Excellence on the Hill honoree, and grateful that his important work to advance racial equity in Reading and beyond is being recognized.”
-Senator Jason Lewis
CATO’s founder Philmore Phillip II.
June 17, 2021
Daily Times Chronicle
Bob Holmes
Activist Philmore Phillip challenges town’s commitment to racial equity
Philmore Phillip II, a former METCO student at Joshua Eaton Elementary School in Reading, reflects on the school’s namesake, which honors a family that owned slaves. During a recent interview, Phillip, now leading CATO - The Coalition of Us, expressed that while he believes the school’s name should change, the decision rests with the town of Reading. Phillip, who participated in a Reading Rally for social justice a year ago, emphasizes the need for Reading to confront its racial issues, citing the town’s lack of diversity and historical ties to slavery. He highlights the absence of Black educators during his 12 years in the Reading school system and points out missed opportunities to hire people of color, such as the recent decision to hire a white principal over a qualified Black candidate for Joshua Eaton.
Phillip continues to challenge Reading’s leadership and calls for change, asserting that the town needs to acknowledge its past, including its association with slavery, and actively work towards a more inclusive community. He mentions the Bill Russell Project, seeking an apology from the town to the NBA legend Bill Russell for the racism that led him to leave Reading. Despite his critiques, Phillip expresses genuine love for the town and its potential for positive transformation, urging Reading to make tangible changes to policies, school names, and community practices as a true apology for past injustices.
CATO founders joined by local officials for weekend Reading Remembrance Tour
CATO - The Coalition of Us organized the Reading Remembrance Tour, educating school and local officials, including School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski, State Senator Jason Lewis, and Select Board members, about the lives and locations of Black and enslaved residents of Colonial-era Reading. Led by educators Megan Howie and Kara Gleason, the tour visited significant locations, such as the Reading Public Library, town Common, and Laurel Hill Cemetery, to share the history of slavery in Reading and Massachusetts. The tour aimed to personalize the historical context by highlighting stories of enslaved individuals like Cato Eaton, who inspired CATO’s name, and Sharper Freeman, buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
CATO, founded by Philmore Phillip II, a Reading Memorial High School alumnus and former METCO program graduate, seeks to address racial issues and promote equity in Reading. Phillip emphasized the need for collective effort among school staff to bring about positive change and urged descision-makers to work together. The tour, designed to educate school staff about the town’s history, received praise from Senator Lewis, who believed it could serve as a model for other communities. CATO plans to offer the tour to the general public in the spring.
November 9, 2021
Daily Times Chronicle
Joanne Senders
LTE: The Coalition of Us (CATO) Supports Director for Equity and Social Justice
Members of CATO - The Coalition of Us penned a Letter to the Editor expressing strong support for the establishment of a paid Director for Equity and Social Justice within a new division of the Reading Public Library. The Ad-Hoc Select Board committee, which included various town stakeholders, recommended this structure, and CATO believes the professional director is crucial for creating and sustaining an effective human rights organization in the town. The Director’s responsibilities include addressing needs proactively, managing challenges related to bias and marginalization, and extending the library’s mission of inclusion and social justice across all town departments, businesses, and residents. CATO emphasizes the importance of this investment in fostering a more welcoming, inclusive, and respectful community, citing recent incidents of violence and discrimination as evidence of the need for proactive measures.
CATO contends that having a Director of Equity and Social justice will not only enhance the town’s quality of life but also save money by addressing issues locally in a caring and professional manner before they escalate. The group urges residents to support the Library budget, including funding for the paid Director, and emphasize the continuous effort required from individuals and the community to become antiracist and ensure social justice for all. The message was signed by various CATO members, including President Philmore Phillip II, Jennifer Blackmon, Colm Eliet, Sherilla Lestrade, Steve Peacock, Anne Schwartz, Allison Sillers, and Linda Snow Dockser.
April 1, 2021
The Reading Post - Letters to the Editor
Members of CATO - The Coalition of Us
Philmore Phillip II: Striving to make a difference
Philmore Phillip II, a 2009 graduate of Reading Memorial High School and former METCO student, has returned to Reading with a mission to break down invisible barriers hindering equal treatment and acceptance for Black students in the Reading Public Schools and community. Philmore, who initially faced culture shock due to the lack of diversity in Reading, in now actively involved in initiatives to address racial issues. He collaborates with teachers, Kara Gleason and Megan Howie, on researching the history of enslaved people in Reading and expanding the school curriculum to include experiences of Blacks and other minorities. Additionally, he has proposed the creation of CATO - The Coalition of Us, an organization dedicated to supporting people of color in Reading and promoting equity though connections, education, and policy reform.
Philmore’s projects also include a proposal to gather youth for movie viewings, relationship-building, and courageous conversations aimed at fostering racial justice. While this pilot project is temporarily on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, CATO continues its mission to represent and support people of color facing minority issues in Reading. Philmore encourages community involvement and donations to support scholarships and events that raise awareness for Reading residents. His ultimate goal is to bridge the gap toward a more diverse and inclusive society through dialogue, education, and networking, emphasizing the importance of understanding the experiences of minorities in the town and country.
November 28, 2020
Daily Times Chronicle
David Marony
February 23, 2023
The Reading Post
Press Release
Two Very Special Events Highlight the Life and Legacy of Bill Russell
The Reading Public Library is hosting a special screening of the recently released Netflix documentary, “Bill Russell: Legend,” on March 2, shedding light on the basketball legend’s time as a resident in the 60s and the challenges he faced in the town. Following the screening, on March 6, RPL and CATO - The Coalition of Us are organizing a community conversation to discuss Bill Russell’s legacy in the Reading, addressing current issues of equity and inclusion. These events aim to provide a unique opportunity to explore its history and envision a more inclusive shared future.
December 18, 2023
WBUR
Irina Matchavariani
Town of Reading reckons with racism and its past as it looks to honor Celtics great Bill Russell
In the 1960s, NBA legend Bill Russell faced racism, bigotry in the town of Reading, located 13 miles north of Boston, where he and his family settled. Despite initial gestures of friendship, such as a banquet held in his honor in 1963, the Russell’s encountered racist attacks, including a petition to block them from moving to an affluent neighborhood, racist graffiti at their home, and a disturbing break-in during which vandals defaced trophies and left feces in their bed. In the wake of Russell’s death in 2022, a nonprofit group called “CATO - The Coalition of Us” is pushing for the town to recognize and address its troubled history by establishing a permanent Bill Russell Day. The proposal, presented in a town select board hearing, includes an annual celebration, a scholarship program reflecting Russell’s values, and official acknowledgement of the mistreatment the Russell family endured. While there is support for celebrating Russell, some board members are hesitant to address eh town’s past, leading to ongoing debates and discussions.
Despite a 2022 proclamation honoring Russell, the town has yet to take substantial action, prompting CATO’s call for a committee of residents to plan events around honoring Bill Russell’s legacy. The proposal aims to kick-start conversations about Black history in the town, providing an opportunity to address historical racial disparities. While some board members suggest a volunteer-led approach focused solely on Russell’s athletic achievements, CATO members argue the town needs to take responsibility for acknowledging and rectifying the racial mistreatment Russell and his family endured. The town select board is set to vote on the formation of a committee on January 9, determining the future of permanent programming honoring Bill Russell’s legacy and the town’s commitment to recognizing and rectifying its troubled past.
CATO’s founder Philmore Phillip II and members Tara Gregory and Linda Snow-Dockser present to the Reading Select Board on Dec. 5. (Irina Matchavariani/WBUR).
February 1, 2024
CATO - The Coalition of Us
Black History Month
Black History Month hold immense significance as it provides a dedicated time for recognizing and celebrating the rich contributions of Black individuals to the Fabric of human history. Learning about Black role models, culture, and history is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and diverse understanding of the world. It allows us to acknowledge the resilience, strength, and achievements of Black communities throughout history, often in the face of adversity and systemic changes. By studying the accomplishments of Black leaders, activists, artists, scientists, and thinkers, we gain a more comprehensive perspective on the shared human experience. Black History Month serves as a Reminder to honor and appreciate teh diverse voices and narratives that have shaped out global history, fostering emplathy, understanding, and unity among people of all backgrounds. It is time to reflect on teh ongoing journey todays equality and justice, encouraging continued efforts to dismantle racial ine3quities and build a more equitable future for all.
CATO’s founder Philmore Phillip II