Mr. Cassidy is most proud to have been called to solve the riots and sexual assaults that were prevalent in South Street.
DOWNINGTOWN, PA, March 07, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Barry Cassidy has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Driven by his desire to help others and represent those without a voice, Mr. Cassidy's journey began with a dream to save the world. Born and raised in an exclusively white environment, he proceeded to receive his college education from a historically Black university, the West Virginia State University. Gradually, he grew to understand people he had not been in contact for much of his life and became immersed in their concerns. During the early 1970s, Mr. Cassidy organized unions in Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee, but found that he required a superior way to address the issues for which he longed to find resolutions.
Upon moving to Baltimore, Mr. Cassidy became involved in organizing county fairs and shows. The organizing work later evolved into planning, organizing and implementing projects for nonprofit housing and community development entities, predominantly in low-income areas. Mr. Cassidy subsequently delved into commercial development and downtown revitalization, where all of his previous experiences in housing and promotions were utilized.
Supported by his considerable expertise, Mr. Cassidy excels today as the principal and consultant of Barry Cassidy Planning and Development, where he is assisted in developing a homeownership program in Lower North Philadelphia, and an outreach program and grant proposal for Permanent Peace Movement. Previously, he gained valuable professional expertise as a consultant with Phoenixville Steel Redevelopment, and the director of Main Street Community Development Corporation, South Street Headhouse District and Main Street Downingtown.
During an earlier stage of his career, Mr. Cassidy served as the owner of Cassidy Promotion, the executive director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation and the main street manager for DuBois Renaissance and Lock Haven Main Street, through which he managed a four-point program and received a Commercial Restoration Award for the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission. Additionally, he has worked with such organizations as Washington Greene Community Action, Baltimore Neighborhood Housing Services, Baltimore County Fair Inc., United Furniture Workers, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations.
An expert in his field, Mr. Cassidy holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and government from West Virginia State University and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He also completed an independent study course at Carnegie Mellon University and a Municipal Finance Certificate from the University of Chicago Harris School for Public Policy. In conjunction with his work, Mr. Cassidy has contributed to his community through the Pennsylvania Local Arts Network, and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which he co-founded. Due to his outstanding work in the field, he was named as a Keystone Laureate by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was listed in Who's Who Among Students at American Universities and Colleges.
Although his career has been filled with highlights, Mr. Cassidy is most proud to have been called to solve the riots and sexual assaults that were prevalent in South Street. He accepted the job and normalized the area before leaving for Phoenixville, a suburban town plagued by an illicit drug trade. He managed to rectify the town's problem with such spectacular success that the state recognized him with the Keystone Laureate in 2010, according him with the status of an "Agent of Change," with the state governor presenting the award to him.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Cassidy aims to build a baseball stadium in the area. He has just launched a website ( lastdaysoflockdown2021.com ) where he used over 7000 photos to chronicle conditions in seventy cities across the United States he visited during the last days of the corona virus lockdown.
About Marquis Who's Who®
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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