MLK Center at Old Main Committee

Janet Lloyd Murphy is a lifelong resident of Delaware County whose maternal roots go back to her great-grandmother, Julia Ambler Springer, being listed on the 1880 Chester City census. These maternal relatives were active in the former First Baptist Church of Chester at 7th and Fulton, and her grandfather owned a Goodyear Tire dealership at 8th and Crosby. Janet's late father heard the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Chester, and she was always interested in learning more about Dr. King's time at the former Crozer Theological Seminary — located on the grounds of the Crozer-Chester Medical Center. When Janet's husband, Ray, gave her Patrick Parr's book about this time, The Seminarian: Martin Luther King Jr. Comes of Age, it further expanded her interest.

Janet holds a healthcare management degree from St. Joseph's University, summa cum laude. She also earned a certificate in trauma-competent professional from Lakeside Global Institute, a 36-month program that requires 90 hours of classwork and at least half of those hours in outside coursework and assignments. She has obtained numerous other continuing education certificates and trainings through her non-profit positions.

She worked as an ophthalmic technician for five years before managing large physician practices. She also worked as a freelance correspondent for the Delaware County News Network for seven years and as an editor for eight. In 2009, she entered the non-profit world as a project coordinator for a high school youth development and mentoring program under a grant to reduce underage drinking and other high-risk activities. Her other non-profit positions include case management for a youth employment program; job coach/job developer for disabled adults; facilitator of a professional skills training program for high school seniors; and academic tutor for an after school program serving middle and high school.

Shakia Gordon-Hutt is an entrepreneur, author, media producer, and community advocate whose work bridges media innovation, education, business development, and civic engagement. She is the founder of Yan Money Matterz Entertainment, Management & Consulting LLC, a multi-service consulting and creative enterprise that supports a wide range of professional and business needs.

Through the company, Gordon-Hutt provides services in consulting, media and entertainment development, business support services, website development, notary services, and creative brand development, working with individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations across multiple industries.

Her ventures also include Yan Money Coin, a digital asset developed on blockchain technology, along with media platforms such as YMM Pulse, YMM Mag, and YanNew, as well as ShopYanMarket, an e-commerce platform designed to support creators and independent brands.

Gordon-Hutt is the author of several works including The Kite Builder's Dream, The Secret Wizard, and Penny and the Lucky Collection, along with additional literary projects. She is also a multi-time award-winning poet featured in several anthologies and recognized through Who's Who nominations and numerous literary honors. Earlier in her career, she served as a poetry lecturer with the Jerry Samuels Agency, where she introduced her own style known as Move-Mental Poetry, established more than 13 years ago. Move-Mental Poetry is a form of mindful and motivational spoken expression designed to inspire positivity, purpose, and constructive action.

Her professional background includes experience as a talent scout for It Factor Productions and serving as National Operations Coordinator and Internship Coordinator for the entertainment industry project "Making the Next Hit." Earlier in her career she was also a signed model with Model Productions and was formerly affiliated as a songwriter with Paramount Song.

Gordon-Hutt served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has been inducted into five academic honor societies. She also served as Co-Producer of the New Media Lab at Delaware County Community College and has completed more than 37 professional certifications (some completed overseas and some in the U.S.) and two diplomas, representing over 300 hours of accredited study through her workplace. Additionally, Gordon-Hutt has earned several awards and certificates for her dedication to early childhood education.

For more than 15 years, Gordon-Hutt has been involved in civil justice and community advocacy, frequently organizing community initiatives, cultural programs, educational events, and forums that encourage dialogue, empowerment, and opportunity.

She previously served as both Youth Chairman and Secretary of the NAACP Branch #2258 in Darby, Pennsylvania, helping promote youth leadership, civic engagement, and community awareness.

Gordon-Hutt currently serves as Executive Secretary of the MLK Center at Old Main, supporting efforts to preserve Old Main at Crozer Theological Seminary, the historic site where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. studied during his formative years.