Subcommittee Appointments

The board appointed six individuals to the Ad-Hoc Commemoration Establishment committee, which was charged with developing a proper town-wide recognition for the contributions of Celtics Legend Bill Russell. David Monahan was chosen as the board’s designee by a 5-0 vote, while Edward Dee and Monique Gnanaratnam were appointed full members by the same vote. Tara Gregory, Ryan Johnstone, and Greg Selvitelli were appointed Associate members of the committee by a 3-2 vote. Chair Carlo Bacci and member Christopher Haley were the dissenting votes. This was after a discussion during which Bacci opposed the appointment of Gregory due to what he referred to as untruths spoken by Gregory about him. Member Mark Dockser offered that few had been as passionate about the committee as Gregory and that the Select Board should not be about squelching opinions. Bacci replied that there is a difference between differing opinions and outright lies.

A similar discussion occurred over the appointment of Ashley Gross to the Cultural Council, with Haley questioning her objectivity. The board voted 3-2 to appoint Gross to the Council, again with Haley and Bacci as the dissenting votes. The board made five other committee appointments by a vote of 5-0.

After a discussion on Select Board policies to clarify how members are appointed and the meeting schedule for the Volunteer Appointments Committee, the board voted 5-0 to designate $21,359.91 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Health Department for rodent mitigation efforts using a “non-poison” method.

November 16 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

This walking tour will offer a unique opportunity to learn about a significant, yet often overlooked, part of Reading’s history. As we walk through downtown, we’ll share stories that honor the individuals who lived, labored, and built their lives here under the constraints of enslavement. This tour is a step toward remembering and acknowledging our community’s past in a way that encourages reflection, understanding, and growth.

The Reading Select Board has established the Ad Hoc Commemoration Establishment Committee (ACE) to honor the legacy of Bill Russell, a former Reading Resident, Boston Celtic legend, and civil rights icon. This committee was recommended by former Town Manager Fidel Maltez and Select Board Member Jackie McCarthy, following a 2022 Select Board proclamation to honor Russell after his passing at 88. ACE will include divrse community members to commemorate Russell’s contributions both on and off the court, addressing the racist treatment his family faced in Reading. The committee will design the commemoration, advise on funding, and ensure annual events, while seeking involvement from Russell’s family. The initiative is supported by the community and aims to promote reconciliation and inclusivity in Reading.

CATO - The Coalition of Us, a social justice organization, played a key role in advocating for this committee. They focus on policy advocacy, community education, engagement, and empowerment to address racial inequities. CATO aims to make Reading a model for diversity and equity, with goals like increased Black and brown representation and decreased discrimination.

Community members interested in joining the committee or learning more about CATO can contact Philmore Phillip at catocoalition01867@gmail.com.

The Reading Select Board vote unanimously (5-0) to establish an Ad Hoc Committee Establishment Committee to celebrate the life and impact of former Reading resident and Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell. Tara Gregroy, from CATO - The Coalition of Us, stated that the committee would also focus on educating the community and acknowledging the mistreatment Russell and his family faced in Reading.

Linda Snow Dockser of CATO reminded the Board that a 2021 resolution had already called for such a commemoration, and this committee would help fulfill that commitment. The committee’s name was temporarily altered to remove Russell’s name until consent has been obtained from his family.

Select Board chair Carlo Bacci expressed concerns about the workload for current board members participating in the committee, suggesting that existing groups could achieve similar goals. CATO President Philmore Phillip argued that a town-sponsored committee would add credibility to the efforts. Select Board member Mark Dockser supported the initiative, emphasizing the value of volunteer involvement.

The Reading Select Board will vote on June 18th to establish an ad hoc committee to honor Bill russell, the legendary Boston Celtics player who faced significant racial discrimination while living in Reading. Despite his contributions to the Celtics, Russell encountered multiple racists incidents in town. the Select Board had previously issues a proclamation on August 9, 2022 to support an inclusive community and celebrate Russell’s life and impact.

In May 2023, former Select Board Chair Jackie McCarthy and former Town Manager Fidel Maltez began collaborating with members of CATO to honor Bill Russell. They proposed forming an ad hoc committee to ensure annual commemoration of his contributions both on and off the court.

CATO is urging the Select Board to approve the committee to address the racism Russell and his family experienced, highlighting ongoing marginilization. Founder Philmore Phillip emphasized the importance of recognizing Russell’s challenges alongside achievements. The vote is timely, preceding Juneteenth, a day reflecting on the struggles and accomplishments of Black Americans.

For more information, contact CATO at CatoCoalition01867@gmail.com or visit their website at https://www.catothecoalitionofus.org/.

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 the 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 inequities and build a more equitable future for all.

Reading, MA — The library and CATO – The Coalition of Us are pleased to host a special screening of Part Two of the documentary, Bill Russell: Legend. Come to the Community Room on Tuesday, February 13, and get to know the man with “more rings than fingers” who was a legend on and off the Garden’s parquet floor. Russell was a resident of Reading in the 1960s and his experience in the town was difficult. While many things have changed since then, Reading residents are still grappling with recurring issues around equity and inclusion today.

Then on Thursday, February 15, join CATO for Charting a Way Forward for an Equitable and Inclusive Reading, a panel and audience discussion on Bill Russell’s experience and legacy in Reading. This program will bring together a group of Reading’s community members and leaders to share their stories and engage in meaningful dialogue about what honoring Bill Russell’s legacy in Reading means today. Throughout the discussions we will generate an understanding of how we can build a stronger and more inclusive Reading community.

For more information visit:

Screening | February 13 | 700pm | https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/11950666
Conversation | February 15 | 700pm | https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/11282944
CATO – The Coalition of Us | https://www.catothecoalitionofus.org/

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The Reading Public Library is committed to evolving together to strengthen communication, equity, collaboration, and learning in our community. Our mission is to be a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community. We work to achieve these goals and commitments by focusing on education, equity, accountability, and access.

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.

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.

Reading, MA — On Tuesday, November 28, at 7 p.m., in the Community Room, prepare to engage in a meaningful dialogue as we come together to foster understanding, share stories, and explore ways to make our community more inclusive. We’ll reflect on positive connections, address challenges, and actively listen to the experiences of our neighbors. The experience will foster a deeper understanding of our shared history, and pave the way for shaping a collective vision for our future.

Together, CATO and the RPL aim to build a stronger and more empathetic Reading community through face-to-face communication to help deepen our understanding of each other. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of a transformative conversation.

Registration is required. Space is limited. Registrants should arrive 10 minutes before the event to sign in.

For more information and to register visit: https://libcal.readingpl.org/event/11282944

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.

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.

Reading, MA — Town Manager Fidel Maltez wishes to share that the Town of Reading, Reading Select Board, and the Reading Public Library remembers and honors the life of a former resident and Celtics all-time great Bill Russell. Russell died on Sunday, July 31, at the age of 88. Russell won 11 NBA championships as a player and a coach- including eight straight between 1958 and 1996—as well as a gold medal at the 1956 Olympics. During part of the Celtic’s run of success, Russell and his family resided in Reading.

Russell was also well-recognized as a civil rights icon. His daughter wrote in 1987 of the racially motivated vandalism they endured at their home, as well as the racism Russell himself faced throughout his time in Boston. 

“Outside of his unparalleled success on the basketball court, Bill Russell was a strong advocate for equality and fought hard to end racism, including the time he lived in Reading,” Maltez said. “May this be an opportunity for us to reaffirm values of equal and inclusive community, and to reconcile an unjust past with the vision of an equitable and harmonious future. We do want to celebrate his life, his impact on our community, his impact on race relations, as well as his unparalleled success on the basketball court. He should be remembered for his achievements both on and off the court. Our world and our town are better places because of his tireless efforts.” 

The Reading community is coming together to celebrate Russell and to recognize that his legacy of great sportsmanship and civil rights activism will continue to be a source of inspiration and education. To learn more about Bill Russell and his career as a sports and civil rights leader, visit the Reading Public Library for books and other resources. The Reading Select Board issued a proclamation to honor Bill Russell at their August 9 meeting. The Select Board will also consider other ways to acknowledge and honor Bill Russell’s legacy in Reading in the coming months.

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 - 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.

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.

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.

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.