"Freedom's Crossroads: The Underground Railroad in Phoenixville"
Long before freedom seekers reached Canada, many found refuge, opportunity, and community in places like Phoenixville. Through historic streets, landmarks, personal stories, and primary sources, this presentation explores how one Pennsylvania town became part of a sophisticated network that helped men, women, and children pursue freedom and build new lives. Join us for a terrific learning opportunity and discussion.
Bio:Dionne (Dee'ahn) Patterson is the founder of UGR3DAY Underground Railroad Experiences Inc., as well as a historian and program developer dedicated to uncovering and sharing the often-untold stories of free and enslaved African Americans during the antebellum era. Through immersive education, storytelling, and experiential learning, she highlights the faith, resilience, knowledge, and community that shaped the Underground Railroad.
A graduate of Delaware State University with a degree in psychology, Dionne is also a certified cultural interpretive guide, genealogist, herbalist, and author. She has written three children’s books and developed historical comic books and other educational publications that make Black history engaging and accessible to young readers.
Dionne has developed Black history curriculum for Valley Forge National Historical Park and, most recently, K–12 Black history curriculum for the State of Delaware. She specializes in professional development and has spoken across the country to train educators, community leaders, and organizations in culturally responsive and historically grounded programming.
Through UGR3DAY, Dionne provides school programs, educational field trips, community history tours, workshops, and immersive learning experiences. Her expertise has also been featured in two documentaries, including Delaware State University’s Women of Vision, Women of Purpose and North to Freedom, a PBS documentary released in 2025.
Through her curriculum, publications, training, and public history programs, Dionne remains committed to truth-telling, empowerment, and bringing African American history to life. www.ugr3day.com
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Diversity in Action~Phoenixville's Mission Statement: To transform ourselves and our world by listening, understanding, and valuing all individuals. We do this through the Education, Celebration, and Promotion of Racial and Social Justice.