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Philadelphia County, PA May 20, 2014 Election
Smart Voter Full Biography for Isaac N. "Ike" Patterson, V

Candidate for
State Representative; Pennsylvania State House of Representatives; District 190; Democratic Party

[photo]
This information is provided by the candidate

Isaac N. Patterson V is a husband, a father, a son, a brother and an entrepreneur. Isaac was born June 27, 1971 in Bethlehem Pennsylvania to Reverend Isaac N. Patterson IV (Cheyney University Alumnus) and his wife Christine Wilson Patterson (Fisk University Alumnus, deceased). Isaac was raised in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia with his three sisters Christina the oldest and Valerie and Vanessa his younger sisters (twins). Isaac attended a mix a private and public schools earning his high school diploma in 1991 from Overbrook High School and his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Cheyney University in 2012. Isaac presently resides in the Wynnefield Heights section of Philadelphia with his wife of 20 years, Lizette, and their son, Isaac N. Patterson VI. As the son of two former educators, Isaac understands the extensive work and personal sacrifice teachers' make to create successful classrooms. What he learned as a parent was the blessing of finding teachers who had his mother's passion and empathy for their students. This understanding led to Isaac's increased involvement and interaction with teachers and administrators during his sons time in Philadelphia Public Schools. In 2007, Isaac led a group of parents to form the first nationally chartered PTA at a Mastery Charter School. This action would lead to a seat on Mastery Charter Schools Comprehensive Board of Trustees. As an MCS Trustee, the board for his dedication and service to the board twice recognized Isaac. Upon completing five years of service to Mastery's Board, Isaac was appointed to Imhotep Institute Charter High Schools National Advisory Board. Isaac spear headed a restructuring of the IICHS Board and is working to focus the city's premier Afrikan centered high school on growth adding a strong focus on community programs particularly those that engage young Afrikan American males. As a local PTA leader, Isaac helped engaged parents of Philadelphia district and charter schools become superior leaders and advocates for Philadelphia's children. Isaac brought programs from PTA and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals' Office to Philadelphia schools supporting assembly programs educating our children on issues around anti bullying, electronic media and internet safety, social media responsibility and drug safety. As a member of National PTAs Urban Family Engagement Network, Philadelphia Team, Isaac brought the resources of National PTA to child guardians', community leaders and school district employees through workshops and trainings. Isaac also worked with Pennsylvania PTA as PA PTA Diversity & Inclusion Chair as well as PA PTA State Treasurer. Recently, National PTA president Otha Thornton reached out and selected Isaac to become a member of National PTAs Male Engagement Committee, a national task-force focused on increasing male involvement (Fatherhood) in the lives of children, education and communities. As a financial member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Isaac has sought out committees where he can utilize his talents to serve others. As a member of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapters Achievement Academy, Isaac leads workshops mentoring young men in the program. As a member of the chapters Political Outreach Committee Isaac helped organize the annual day of advocacy in Harrisburg known as Kappa's on Kapitol Hill. Isaac as a member of the chapters Community Outreach Committee has volunteered time to events assisting others in our communities, including the committee's annual MLK Day of Service event at the Woodstock Family Emergency Shelter in North Philadelphia. It is through events like this and answering the call for help from groups like the Pink Soldiers Foundation, that Isaac has dedicated himself to learning about those in our community who are in need of a higher level of care and attention. Working with these and other grass roots groups Isaac is making things better for our entire community. It is Isaac's goal to take what he has learned; capitalizing on the relationships, he has developed to increase the potential of all residents of the 190th Legislative District. Isaac will take every opportunity to secure adequate funding for the School District of Philadelphia, ensuring that Philadelphia Public Schools have the required resources and teachers have the necessary assets. Isaac will find ways to make sure programs like Head Start are available and in places of highest interest and need. Work to increase educational opportunities for those who stopped attending school prematurely and now desire to restart their educational growth. Support small and mid-size local businesses so that more of our unemployed and under employed residence can find local entrances into the workforce. Help local business bolster local economies, partner local entrepreneurs with local business schools and the SBA. Make sure that the states minimum wage is a livable wage, making full-time employment more attractive to the employee and the employer. Support programs that work to decrease the recidivism rates of jails and prisons by allowing those reentering society to work with at-risk youth through screening and training, building a resume for one and installing wisdom and maturity in the other. When you leave a prison in Pennsylvania, you must return home more educated and with more skills than when you entered prison. We can no longer blame those who we incarcerate for not returning better than when they left if we have done nothing to improve them; basic education, life skills, trade skills etc. are necessary. There is a lot of work to be done; Isaac is willing, ready, and able to do it. We can make our communities what we want; we have to do it together.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: April 8, 2014 15:25
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