Recognizing African American and Women’s History Month in February and March, the Franklin County Visitors Bureau is hosting the Beauty of Diversity Exhibit in the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, located on the southwest quadrant of Memorial Square. As America moves to fulfilling its description of a melting pot of people, FCVB is showcasing the faces of residents that make up the community of Franklin County. Fueled by regional artist-photographer Phillip Michael Whitley, the exhibit offers nearly three dozen faces that highlight the evolving culture of Franklin County PA. The words of Mahatma Gandhi bring together the spirit of the exhibit: “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

Whitely is an apt partner for the “Beauty of Diversity” exhibit, using his camera to make the world a more beautiful place one camera snap at a time. Whitely is also fueling a local exhibit at the Coyle Free Library, entitled “Franklin County’s Female Firsts” to celebrate Women’s History Month 2020. Partnering with local genealogist Pam Anderson, the exhibit offers a sampling of “first females” in Franklin County. It is a fundraiser for the Franklin County Library System and Go Girls Go—an initiative of Healthy Community Partnership. Whitley’s additional community exhibits include “Black Girl Magic” and a celebration of individual’s with Down’s Syndrome.

The Beauty of Diversity is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, and will be highlighted at the Franklin County Visitors Bureau’s 2020 Women’s History event, “Women’s Voices: “I Am…We Are” on Saturday, March 21, at 1 PM.