Black History Month Public Health Pioneers 2025
Updated: February 28, 2025
In recognition of Black History Month, each week this month the Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) will detail the careers and accomplishments of selected Delaware County Black community members making a difference in public health. For 2025, DCHD is shining a light on pioneers from Delaware County who support public health by promoting healthy habits and community well-being.
Cheyney University Bio
In honor of Black History Month this February, the Delaware County Health Department is recognizing the oldest historically Black college in the United States and the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Pennsylvania state system. Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1837, has a long-standing mission to educate people of African descent. Over the years, the university has evolved and expanded, offering more educational programs.
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, originally named the African Institute, was founded in February 1837 by Richard Humphreys, a Quaker philanthropist. Humphreys bequeathed $10,000 to establish the African Institute. Born on a plantation in the British West Indies on February 13, 1750, Humphreys came to Philadelphia in 1764. He became an American silversmith and philanthropist who was deeply concerned about the struggles of free Black people in securing education and living wages.
In April 1837, the school was renamed the Institute of Colored Youth. It provided training in trades, skills, and agriculture to help African Americans obtain well-paying jobs. In 1902, the school was relocated to the George Cheyney farm and renamed Cheyney. The institution later became part of the state system of higher education and attained university status.
Since its founding in 1837, Cheyney University has grown both academically and athletically. In 1980, a civil lawsuit was filed against the state government, alleging that the university had been unlawfully underfunded. Nineteen years later, in 1999, the lawsuit was settled, resulting in a $35 million allocation to Cheyney University for expansion. Today, Cheyney offers fully accredited bachelor's degree programs in liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, business, education, professional studies, and natural and applied sciences. The university also has a variety of athletic programs, including men's basketball, cross country, and track and field. For women, sports offerings include basketball, cross country, track and field, and volleyball.
Cheyney University supports public health and higher education in the health sciences through its Concentration in Pre-Medicine and Concentration in Pre-Nursing/Health Professions programs. Cheyney University has long contributed to the health and wellness of the Delco community with a mission to uplift Black and Brown minorities.
AME Church
You cannot look forward until you reflect on the past. Concord Township has restored a historical site, the Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), to share its past with fellow residents. This Delaware County historical site has a deep cultural history, dating back to the 1880s when it was first built. When the township announced the church's restoration, many members and relatives of past members came together to help the township discover numerous interesting facts about Spring Valley's AME church.
In 1794, Reverend Richard Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Richard Allen was born into slavery in 1760 and attended meetings of the Methodist Society, which was welcoming to free and enslaved Black people. After joining the Methodist movement, he began evangelizing, preaching, and attracting attention. He eventually earned enough money to buy his freedom in 1780. Over time, Allen became the church's first bishop in 1816, when he organized a denomination where free Black people could worship without discrimination. He dedicated 37 years to ministering before dying in 1831, but his legacy continues with the AME Church being America's oldest and largest Black institution.
The land on which the Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church was built was purchased in the 1880s. For almost a century, it served the surrounding community, which consisted primarily of Black farm workers. As time passed, the town developed, and real estate became too expensive. Attendance declined as the community moved away from the church, abandoning it in the 1980s. The building remained vacant and was sold to a developer in 1997.
The developer intended to restore the building as a non-denominational church; however, the church’s social hall caught fire. No one was hurt, but the fire caused severe damage. It was suspected to be arson because the building did not have an electrical system that could have caused the fire. The exact cause remains unknown. After that, the building remained vacant with only minimal restorations completed. The developer passed away in 2009, putting the land back on the market. The township bought the property in 2014 to restore it due to its historical significance as the only Black church in the township.
When the township started working on restorations, a small group of community members revealed more information about the property and its history. It was discovered that there were people buried on the church property. The township started an investigation, using radar to discover objects that resembled caskets. In response, Concord Township installed a memorial tombstone inscribed with the words, “To all the persons known and unknown buried here at Spring Valley AME Church.”
With all the repairs finally completed, the church has become an African American History Museum, collecting artifacts and exhibits for display—many of which were donations from the church’s founding family.
The Spring Valley African Methodist Episcopal Church reflects public health goals. It is a living testament to the intersection of history, community wellbeing, and cultural preservation. By ensuring that these churches are preserved, respected, and used as spaces for healing, education, and advocacy, they contribute to broader public health goals of equity, access to care, and community wellness.
The Nile Swim Club is a community hub that fosters youth development, family unity, and inclusivity and is another Delaware County Black History Month pioneer. It was founded in 1957 when Carson Puriefoy, Elmer Stewart, Zoe Mask and their families in Yeadon were denied membership at a local swim club due to racism. They purchased a property and raised funds from 326 bondholders from Yeadon and surrounding areas. Each bondholder contributed $250 each. The Nile Swim Club officially opened on July 11, 1959, attracting 1,000 people on its first day and it was accessible to everyone, regardless of race. The club became a cultural landmark, with celebrities like Harry Belafonte and The Supremes visiting. More recently, influencing figures like DJ Cash Money and Will Smith have also visited the club.
In 2019, the club launched the "No Child Will Drown in This Town" initiative, offering free swim lessons to all. The program expanded to include Autism Swim Days and an Autism Swim Clinic, providing specialized, quieter swim lessons for neurodivergent children. The club continues to focus on inclusivity and safety. In 2024, Aqua provided support for swim classes. In 2023, the Nile Swim Club taught over 800 kids how to swim, removing financial barriers by charging only $5 per class and allowing participation without a fee. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nile Swim Club partnered with the owner of Brown Grocery Stores and Blessings of Hope Food Pantry to feed local families. They provided two bags of groceries to 100 families, and over several weeks, the distribution grew to deliver up to 1,000 food boxes per week. This dedication to inclusivity and togetherness points to Nile Swim Club's longevity. The Nile Swim Club is, celebrating 66 years this year.
For being the first and only Black-owned swim club in the U.S., it was awarded a Pennsylvania Historic Marker by the Yeadon Historical Commission. The award was given for its historic standing but also because of the club’s outstanding work with the community over the last six decades. While the club’s primary focus is on recreation, the Nile has often utilized its spaces to serve as venues for health education and promoting wellness. This includes teaching young swimmers about the benefits of physical activity, spreading awareness about local health resources, and bringing in organizations that support community members. DCHD is thrilled to recognize the Nile Swim Club as a 2025 Black History Month public health pioneer.
Community members are encouraged to check out the Nile Swim Club’s Summer 2025 Programs. There is a variety of activities from April to October, including Jessie’s Garden, where participants help maintain a garden, and SOW, featuring daily wellness activities for seniors. From June to August, kids can join Drama Club, try Scuba Diving, or participate in fitness classes. Swim programs include the Autism Swim Clinic (June 2-11) for neurodiverse children, Nile Swim Team (June 3-August 28) for competitive training, and NCWDOT (June 23-27, July 21-August 1) offering free beginner swim lessons. Additional options include Swim Camp (July 7-18) for advanced training, Diving Lessons (July 12-August 23), and Saturday Swim Clinics (July 12-August 23) for all skill levels. For sports enthusiasts, Basketball Clinics (July 9-11, July 23-25, August 13-15) provide free training for kids aged 9-18.
The Darby Hilldale Baseball Club
Hilldale Baseball Club is a historically significant baseball team deeply rooted in Black history and public health. The Hilldale Baseball Club started at the same location where the Delaware County Health Department now operates its Yeadon Wellness Center. The club's story began on May 29, 1910, when 19-year-old Austin Thompson from Darby, Pennsylvania, placed an ad in the Philadelphia Sunday Item seeking to arrange games with 14- to 15-year-old traveling teams, offering to cover half of their expenses.
Darby had a growing population of Black residents who lived primarily in a segregated area called "the Hill." It served as a close-knit community. Bringing together a group of young Black men to play baseball garnered much attention. The proximity to Philadelphia meant that Thompson’s team could interact with and eventually compete against some of the region's top African American baseball teams, building its reputation and gaining recognition.
What started as a local initiative with a youth team eventually expanded into a larger, more professional operation when entrepreneur and postal worker Ed Bolden invested in the team. Bolden’s efforts attracted older and more experienced players, gaining Hilldale national attention. The club became a member of the Eastern Colored League (ECL), one of the major Negro Leagues that existed due to Major League Baseball (MLB) segregation.
The Hilldale team was regarded as a highly competitive club, considered one of the country's best African American baseball teams. It was known for its talented roster and competitive play. Some of the notable players included Biz Mackey, Judy Johnson, and John Henry Lloyd, who went on to have professional baseball careers. Many of Hilldale's players were later inducted into the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Many of their relics are stored in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in New York and the Negro League Baseball Museum in Missouri.
Hilldale Baseball Club will be remembered not just for its competitive success but also for its cultural and social significance within Darby’s community during an era of racial segregation. Baseball served as a form of social medicine, promoting community togetherness, physical activity, and pride. The sport helped individuals combat the psychological toll of racial discrimination and created spaces for personal growth and empowerment.
For Delaware County residents: The Line-Up Barbershop, located at 125 Chester Ave, Yeadon, serves as a local preservation site and museum for the history of the Hilldale Club and Negro League baseball. Owners Kyle and Rashid are community-oriented and have kept the spirit of togetherness alive through their shop and engagement with local youth.
