MartindePorresFoundation.orgMartindePorresFoundation.org
The goal of the Martin de Porres Foundation is to develop lay leadership among African American/Black Catholics. This is achieved through religious undergraduate and graduate education as well as training in Ministry and Leadership skills. The Foundation supports these lay leaders in their efforts to advance Catholicism in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The INITIATIVE was founded in 2016 to develop a pool of qualified school leaders trained in urban education for Catholic schools, in particular. The INITIATIVE provides networking opportunities and ongoing professional development for current and aspiring school leaders. Additionally, The INITIATIVE helps members identify school leadership positions in the Independence Mission Schools, parish elementary schools, archdiocesan high schools, and private Catholic schools
As of 2019, there is one African-American principal at a Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. To date, there has never been an African-American principal in either a private Catholic high school or an archdiocesan high school within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Through generous funding from the Martin de Porres Foundation, The Black Catholic School Leader Network (The Network) provides financial support to qualified applicants working toward principal certification who seek to serve in Catholic elementary and high schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Cathy Reimel Hamilton is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox
and Roach Realtors, selling residential and investment properties on Philadelphia’s
Main Line. Cathy was educated at Merion Mercy Academy, holds a bachelor’s
degree from Bucknell University and is a candidate for a Masters Degree in
Nonprofit Leadership from LaSalle University. She is active in her community, and
is a leader with Walking with Purpose ministry. She is a mother of three, and lives
in Wayne, PA.
Matthew H. McCloskey IV is president of the McCloskey Financial Group. Matt is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He and his wife, Donna, married 54 years, are parents of six adult children and grandparents of 17 grandchildren. Matt and Donna live in Bryn Mawr and are members of St. John Vianney Parish, and in Vero Beach, Florida, where they are members of Holy Cross Parish.
Archbishop Pérez is the ex-officio chair of the Foundation. He was ordained as priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1989. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Rockville Center and Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland before being appointed Archbishop of Philadelphia in 2020.
Pastor of St. Cyprian Church and St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church. He also represents the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as a Regional Dean which encompasses fifteen churches from North Philadelphia to Center City, and West Philadelphia. Monsignor is an Ex-officio member of the Board for the Martin De Porres Foundation.
Bishop McIntyre is an auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in 1992 and a Bishop in 2010. He is responsible for the parishes in Delaware and Chester counties and for the Secretariat for Evangelization and the Secretariat for Catholic Human Services.
Dan McMonigle is a real estate broker and a member of St. Monica’s parish in Berwyn, PA where he is an active member of the Holy Name Society and the Catholic Grandparents Association. He and his wife, Joanne, are the parents of four and grandparents of five.
Janice E. Paige is an active member of St. Athanasius Parish. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner with years of experience in the health care industry, including in the Army Nurse Corps and as a nursing instructor. She is a graduate of the St. Charles Seminary School of Theological Studies.
Marq Temple is the Executive Director of Concerned Black Men, Inc. and a member of St. Athanasius parish in Philadelphia, PA
Breanna Travis is an active member of St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia. She is a junior level communications strategist that is dedicated to lending her talents in sharing and executing the mission and values of the foundation.
Richara Krajewski is a graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania. She has served the Church in Philadelphia in a variety of roles including, catechist, pastoral associate and consultant for the last 10 years. She is currently completing a Masters Degree in Church Management at Villanova University. Richara is thrilled to assist the Martin de Porres Foundation with alumni engagement and parish outreach throughout the Black Catholic community in Philadelphia.