The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia seeks forward-thinking leaders to apply to attend the Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange.

The Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange, which will be held Oct. 24-25, aims to develop business, nonprofit and government leaders into visionaries dedicated to making Greater Philadelphia a world class region. The exchange is a mix of site visits, speakers, panels, and interactive discussion that engages participants around the big issues impacting the region.

“Growing a strong cohort of knowledgeable, collaborative, and positive leaders is critically important to Greater Philadelphia’s future, says Economy League Chair and Radian Chief Operating Officer Rick Altman.

“The region’s top corporate, government, and nonprofit leaders are going to leave with new relationships, expanded perspectives, and creative ideas to benefit their constituents, companies, and communities.”

The 2013 program is focused on sharing stories of cooperation that are moving Greater Philadelphia forward in such priority matters as education and workforce, regional infrastructure, and business growth. Sessions will get behind each story to understand not just what’s happening, but also how it keys into the region’s future success.

Executive Director Steve Wray said convening leadership to share goals and work together has become the Economy League’s mission.

“Regions that innovate, collaborate, and learn have an edge over those that don’t. Each Leadership Exchange creates people who bring this mindset back to their organizations, civic commitments, and communities, encouraging them to connect and cooperate,” said Wray.

Applicants must live and/or work in the Greater Philadelphia region and serve in a leadership role in a business, nonprofit, or government organization. A committee of past participants chaired by Chris R. Chepel, partner at KPMG; Patricia A. Coulter, president and CEO of the Urban League; and Stephen M. Curtis, PhD, president of Community College of Philadelphia, will notify applicants on May 15. April 19 is the deadline to apply.

The Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange is funded by the Economy League, participant registration fees and sponsors.

For application details visit EconomyLeague.org/apply.

Barbara L. Turner, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, died Tuesday, April 9, 2013. She was 84.

She was born April 8, 1929 to the late Frederick and Helen Jones. She was the oldest of five children. Her parents migrated to Philadelphia from Odessa, Del. The family lived in a close-knit North Philadelphia community that extolled family values, community activism and work ethic.

Turner was baptized at an early age and attended Jones Tabernacle AME Church. She graduated from Arnold, Fitzsimons Junior High and Gratz High School.

She had aspirations of becoming a jazz singer and was a headliner at the Spider Kelly nightclub in Center City.

Turner enjoyed a 27-year career as a customer service representative with the Philadelphia Gas Works, retiring in 1989.

She remained active, working part-time and volunteering with the United Way and Federation of Teachers phone bank.

Although she had no children, her family said she was proud of her nieces and nephews and shared stories about them with her friends.

Turner was recognized for her community service and mentoring youth.

After retiring, she moved from her Spring Garden neighborhood to an apartment in Kearsley Retirement Community. For 13 years, she was the one who remembered birthdays and special occasions with cards and welcomed newcomers to the facility.

“Barbara will most be remembered for her ready smile, quick wit, willingness to help others and for sending cards to those she loved and cared for,” her family said.

She was a voracious reader and enjoyed crossword puzzles. Her family said she loved President Barack Obama, the Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

In addition to her parents, Turner was preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret Jones Thomas, Helen Janet Jones McRae and James Frederic.

She is survived by her brother, Peter Wilson Jones Sr. (Jacqui); half-sister, Emma Saunders Harvey; half-brothers, William, Clarence and Louis Saunders; special nieces and nephews, Janet Hammond Ryder (Martin), Denise McRae, Peter Jones Jr. (Elizabeth), Damon Jones (Antoinette), Lauren McRae (Joseph) and other relatives and friends.

Services will be held April 13 at 1 p.m. at the chapel at Kearsley Long Term Care Center, 2100 N. 49th St.

Services will be held April 13 for Sharon J. Brown, who died April 6, 2013. She was 65.

Brown was formerly a senior service agent at Fed Ex. She worked for 16 years as a caseworker in the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, where many of her friends and co-workers looked forward to her cooking and “Moscow mule” drinks during many office parties and gatherings that she often helped organize.

A recent retiree, Brown was spending her newfound free time traveling the world with trips in the past year to Canada, France, Amsterdam and Spain.

A published poet, she also was returning to her writing while at the same time spending time with her five grandchildren and perfecting her crocheting.

“Her death, several days shy of her 66th birthday, was a shock to all. She will be missed by many,” her family said.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius Brown Jr.

She is survived by her children, Darryl Edwards, Jerome Jr., Clifford, Dawn, Todd and Robin; sister, Lamont Purell; five grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

Services will be held April 13 at Transformation Center, 2613 W. Hunting Park Ave. Viewing is at 10 a.m. Services will follow at Noon.

Nicole Yvette (DuPree) Hogans was a church going person and hard worker who passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. She was 41.

She was born July 1, 1971 in Philadelphia to the late Bede DuPree Jr, and Mavis Williams. “Nicky” as she is known, was the youngest of three siblings.

She began her education in the Philadelphia School System, but at the ages of 11, 12 & 14, “the DuPrees” were accepted in Scotland School for Veterans Children, in Scotland, PA. She graduated in 1989 with her high school diploma. She furthered her education and graduated from the University of Phoenix with her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.

Hogans was first employed at Center in the Park for a number of years and then was employed at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), until she had to leave due to illness.

She was married in 1993 and from this union her daughter Brittany, who she lovingly called “Stank,” was born.

Hogans had a giving heart and was known to help those who needed it. She had many friends and children and grandchildren she adopted in her heart, who were all considered family. This family started on Elliott Street, where she grew up, and then really grew with the Scotland School family. In this same spirit, Hogans opened her home to people who needed a place to live for awhile.

She was involved with the Girl Scouts for a number of years and then most recently she became a leader with the Boy Scouts at the Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church.

She accepted the Lord and initially was a member of the Beulah Baptist Church. In 2010, she became a member of Christ Community Church of Philadelphia.

Hogans had sickle cell anemia since childhood. As she got older it became more of a problem. The doctors had told her she probably wouldn’t live to the age of 30. However, the Lord blessed her to live longer.

She leaves to remember her and rejoice in her homegoing, her daughter Brittany Hogans; brother Bede DuPree (Bonita), Smyrna, Del.; sister Marlo Russell Jenkins (Michael), Philadelphia; step-mother, Phillis DuPree; step-brother, Clifton Kinchen; step-sister Portia Brister; great-aunt Marguerite Chalmers; aunts Patricia Williams and Patricia DuPree; five nephews, a niece and a host of cousins, adopted children and grandchildren and friends.

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) have announced a tombstone dedication at the gravesite of Reginald A. Bryant on Saturday, April 27, at Eden Cemetery, 1434 Springfield Rd. in Collingdale. The dedication ceremony begins at 2 p.m. and the public is welcome.

Bryant was a founder of NABJ and PABJ. He was a veteran broadcaster and media consultant as well as a writer, filmmaker and artist.

“Reggie Bryant was visionary,” said NABJ President Greg Lee. “He was one of 44 people who had the courage and foresight to form the National Association of Black Journalists. He left us too soon, but the legacy he had left is everlasting. It is the least that NABJ can do is to contribute to his legacy with this special tombstone.”

Reggie’s intellect was often confrontational, and at the same time, to many, who were not threatened by it, was a challenge and an inspiration, according to NABJ and PABJ founder Acel Moore.

“His greatest significance is that he was an innovative educator,” he said. “I miss him.”

Bryant’s broadcast practice expanded into a groundbreaking television interview program, “Black Perspectives on the News,” a news program on WHYY in Philadelphia that featured prominent newsmakers from 1973 to 1978. The program was seen on 170 stations across the country.

In spring 2011, PABJ members organized a community service project at Eden Cemetery. The chapter arranged for area photographers to donate their time to photograph the historic Eden tombstones and resting place of famous African Americans, such as Octavius Catto and Marian Anderson.

One volunteer stumbled across the unmarked grave of Bryant. That volunteer was Bobbi Booker, Reggie’s former colleague.

The NABJ Convention came to Philadelphia later that year and former PABJ president Sarah Glover asked NABJ to join PABJ in raising money to place a tombstone at Reggie’s resting place. NABJ and PABJ members along with Reggie’s station, WURD 900AM, helped with the fundraising effort. With the family’s blessing, NABJ and PABJ coordinated the purchase, design and installation of the tombstone.

Reggie was an avid reader and believed strongly in the power of education.

The top of the stone is in the shape of a book and has an inscription with one of Reggie’s famous sayings: “It’s not what you know that gets you in trouble, it’s what you know that’s just not so.”

“Reggie Bryant’s legacy as a founder of PABJ and NABJ will be carried on for generations,” said PABJ President Johann Calhoun. “I remember Reggie from his broadcast days at WURD 900AM, where he spoke truth to power. He embodied the meaning of civic journalism – not being afraid to speak out against the powers that ran Philadelphia and this nation for the little man struggling in the streets.”

During his long career, Bryant interviewed five U.S. presidents, 52 Pulitzer Prize winning authors and had been commended by hundreds of organizations for his community service.

Bryant’s mentee, colleague and friend I. Robin “Bobbi” Booker said, “Reggie Bryant was a multimedia master, who, via the medium of radio, conducted daily lessons on ‘The Art of Pro-and-Conversation.’ I miss him everyday…143~”

Other journalists shared similar sentiments.

“It is fitting NABJ and PABJ announce Reggie’s tombstone dedication today on the third anniversary of his death,” Glover said. “He’s sorely missed on Philadelphia’s airwaves. Reggie stood for justice and spoke his mind. His spirit lives on and it’s humbling to celebrate his legacy together.”

Bryant was a legend in journalism and talk radio, according to WURD President and General Manager Sara Lomax-Reese.

“He was the consummate wordsmith who spent years dazzling us with his wise, well researched interviews,” she said. “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year, we at WURD are guided by his spirit of substantive, passionate, informed dialogue. We are grateful for the path he has paved for us.”