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Phoebe E. Brown receives J. Diane Sams African American History Month recognition
Summary
The Ithaca Common Council awarded Phoebe E. Brown the 2026 J. Diane Sams African American History Month recognition, honoring her community advocacy and civic leadership; Brown recounted her path to recovery and praised local supporters.
The Ithaca Common Council honored Phoebe E. Brown with the 2026 J. Diane Sams African American History Month recognition on Feb. 4, citing decades of community advocacy, service on local boards and work on racial justice and reintegration.
Council members read a resolution that traced the award’s history back to 2004 and the legacy of J. Diane Sams, a local civil‑rights leader and the city's first Black woman to serve as acting mayor. The resolution described Brown as a "fearless community advocate" who has worked across housing, addiction and reentry issues and who has served on multiple boards and civic efforts.
Accepting the honor, Brown spoke candidly about arriving in Ithaca from New York City and the role local organizers played in her recovery. "I came to Ithaca, I was running away from crack in New York City, and I came to Ithaca," she said. "This community loved me until I could learn to love myself," Brown said, calling Diane Sams a pivotal mentor.
The council adopted the resolution unanimously and indicated a plaque commemorating awardees will be placed in the council chambers. The announcement took place near other agenda items including a vote to create a special committee on wrongful discharge and an approval of a community responder pilot.
