Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Officials to welcome actress Daphne Maxwell Reid for Women’s History Month
DOWNINGTOWN —To celebrate Women’s History Month, Downingtown Area School District (DASD) will host The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress Daphne Maxwell Reid for a virtual program, “The Impact of Women,” on Thursday, March 16, at 6 p.m.
The event, hosted by the district’s Department of Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion (DEI), will feature an interactive conversation with Maxwell Reid as she discusses the importance of Women’s History Month and the significant contributions that women have made to society over time.
Maxwell Reid is an actress, fashion designer, photographer, and former model. She is best known for her role as Vivian Banks, “Aunt Viv,” on seasons 4-6 of The Fresh Prince of BelAir. Her career in the entertainment industry spans over four decades and includes numerous films and television series, including current roles on BelAir, Fantasy Island and HBO’s
Jazzman Blues.
Maxwell Reid is a graduate of The Bronx High School of Science. She received a degree in interior design and architecture from Northwestern University, which she attended on a scholarship and where she became the first African-American woman to be named homecoming queen. Maxwell Reid attributes her success, in part, to her self-confidence, because according to her, “that gives you the power to make good choices, and good choices can lead to great things” in someone’s life. She is a passionate advocate for education and equity, serving as a spokesperson for HBCU Virginia
State University and promoting opportunities for students of color.
“We are fortunate that Daphne Maxwell Reid was able to find time to visit our district,” said DASD DEI Director Justin Brown. ‘It is a goal of our district to ensure that all students feel that they belong and can see themselves in our schools and communities. It is our job to make sure students can be their authentic selves regardless of their lived background, lived experience or how they choose to identify.”
The mission of the DASD DEI Department is to ensure equity for students, staff, and families by eliminating bias and inequities in our classrooms and in our schools and also by enacting policies, procedures, and practices that are both culturally responsive and culturally sustaining. The department encourages the DASD community to join in these public programs and participate in important conversations regarding students and our district.
The free program is open to the public and will be presented virtually on Zoom. Registration is required and can be found at www.eventbrite.com/e/ the-importance-of-womenw-daphne-maxwell-reid-tickets-559762453567.