07/08/2025
The Board of Destiny of Our Daughters extends our deepest love and support to our founder, Shateria Franklin, her son Major, and the entire Woodard family during this incredibly difficult time.
We join the African American Concerned Clergy and a broad coalition of community, faith, and civic leaders in their unified call for truth, accountability, and healing. We are committed to standing together in strength and prayer as we move toward justice and resolution.
Public Statement from the African American Concerned Clergy - AACC
Today, the African American Concerned Clergy held a listening session with members of Marchello Woodard’s family, representatives from the Pennsylvania State Police Office of Community Engagement Heritage Affairs Section (Commander Sergeant Timothy Green and Corporal Ishmael Lel-Guemra), Mr. Michael Outlaw, District Attorney Beth Hirz, the Erie Police Chief, Erie’s Black Wall Street, Erie's Juneteenth Celebration and other community leaders to address concerns following the tragic death of Marchello Woodard.
We share the following outcomes from this meeting with our community:
1. We must respect the family. This loss is real and permanent for Marchello’s family, and it has forever impacted their lives. As a community, we must honor their grief, stand with them, and allow justice and due process to prevail.
2. Counseling support is encouraged. We recognize the emotional toll these events have on our community. We encourage those impacted to seek counseling and mental health support as we grieve, process, and work toward healing.
3. We must understand the investigation process. Our community deserves clear details about the steps and timeline of this investigation.
4. We must have a unified method to share accurate information. It is critical that our community receives facts, not rumors, as we seek accountability and justice.
5. We demand transparency. We will continue to call for transparency at every stage of this investigation and process.
6. We acknowledge change takes time. We understand that systemic change will not happen overnight, but we remain committed to working toward it.
7. Next steps are underway. The Police Chief has committed to reaching out to the State Parole Office to ensure open lines of communication.
8. Videos are important evidence. If you have any video footage related to this incident, we encourage you to send it directly to the District Attorney’s office to support a thorough and transparent investigation.
9. We remain vigilant and patient. We understand this process will take time, and we will continue to advocate for truth, accountability, and justice throughout.
We thank all who continue to stand in solidarity during this difficult time. The African American Concerned Clergy, Erie’s Black Wall Street, and all present today remain committed to advocating for Marchello Woodard’s family, for transparency, and for a safer, more just Erie for all.
