"Where there is no vision the people perish."
Dr. Bernard C. Watson
Winner of the 2001 Philadelphia Award
Bernard C. Watson, Ph.D., one of Philadelphia's most respected educational, civic and business leaders, has been named winner of the Philadelphia Award for 2001. The award is presented to a citizen of the region who has done the most to "advance the best and largest interest" of the community.
"Steadfast leadership, involved citizenship and a lifetime of community work are what make Bernie Watson stand out from the crowd of extraordinary Philadelphians nominated for this year's award," said WHYY President and CEO William J. Marrazzo, Chair of the Philadelphia Award Trustees. "So many elected officials, educators and executives were able to make a great impact on Philadelphia in 2001 thanks to the mentoring, encouragement and direction they received over the years from him. He has been a tireless fighter of ignorance and injustice, a determined advocate for educational excellence and an energetic supporter of the arts. He is truly one of Philadelphia's treasures."
He has been heralded as "a brilliant scholar and outstanding academic leader and teacher" by former Congressman William H. Gray, III and called "one of the most thoughtful and perceptive urban experts of our time" by The Rev. Leon Sullivan, on whom the Philadelphia Award was bestowed in 1965. Yet Watson has seldom sought the limelight for himself, preferring to work behind the scenes in classrooms, corporate offices and Washington in order to improve equal opportunities in education, spur regional economic development and encourage a thriving arts community.
As an educator, he has inspired hundreds of students and academicians. A former public school teacher and administrator for the Philadelphia School District, he established a graduate program in urban education at Temple University and became its first African-American vice president, improving student services and enhancing diversity as vice president for academic administration. His reputation in the academic world earned him appointments on educational advisory councils by three U.S. presidents.
As a foundation executive, he has helped to channel millions of dollars to the most needy citizens. He became head of the William Penn Foundation - a decision that fulfilled his love of the arts and his belief that the city's economic health depended on its ability to offer first-rate cultural experiences. As an advisor to business and political leaders at all levels, he has opened doors of opportunity for many people. A long-time leader with the National Urban League and National Urban Coalition, he was instrumental in developing strong partnerships among civic leaders and in organizing the merger of several local organizations into The Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition.
In his memoir, "Colored, Negro, Black: Chasing the American Dream," he recounts the story of America's racial and class conflicts through his own eyes, as a man who experienced segregation first-hand and helped fight to make the nation a land of opportunity for all of its citizens.
Although he retired from full-time paid work in 1993, he has continued to spend an enormous amount of time making an impact on Philadelphia. As Chairman of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, for which he served 15 years as vice chairman, he has provided the leadership necessary to generate 7,000 new hotel rooms, 5,000 new restaurant seats and 7,000 new jobs and drive Philadelphia's economic progress through expansion.
He has also been largely responsible for restoring trust, financial accountability and respect for the Barnes Foundation and its board of trustees, for which he has served as president since 1999. He has further demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the city through active memberships with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and the boards of the Avenue of the Arts, the Clef Club and the Marion Anderson Historical Society.