In a recent push by the City of Philadelphia, immigrant and multilingual business owners now have a new resource to lean on. A series of instructional videos have just been released, aimed at making information on local government business resources more accessible. Each visual guide is available in nine different languages, reiterating the city's plans to make Philadelphia a welcoming place for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their language of origin.
The initiative, as reported by the City of Philadelphia, includes detailed narratives on programs such as the Department of Commerce’s Storefront Improvement Program and the Business Security Camera Program. These videos, narrated by the Mayor’s Business Action Team (MBAT), provide personalized assistance, offering a direct line of communication for entrepreneurs. Business owners can reach out to MBAT by calling 215-683-2100 or sending an email to [email protected].
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker expressed her pride in the city’s initiative, stating, as per the City of Philadelphia, “Our City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection is home to businesses that speak multiple languages in zip codes across the city. During Immigrant Heritage Month and throughout the year, we are committed to supporting the growth of immigrant businesses that power our economy with essential goods and services.” Alba Martinez, Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia, added that the multilingual video series is designed to ensure all business owners can access city support whenever needed.
Backing this move, Amy Eusebio, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs, referenced the Pew Charitable Trusts, mentioning the city's significant immigrant population. “According to research reports from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the share of Philadelphians born overseas is now the highest it has been in eight decades, at nearly 16 percent,” Eusebio said, per the City of Philadelphia. She elaborated that for those whose English proficiency is still in development, multimedia resources in their own language can be a highly effective way to engage with city services.
The videos were developed in collaboration with community-based organizations, such as the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Echoing the sentiments of inclusivity, Stephanie Michel, Executive Director of the North 5th Street Revitalization Project, acknowledged that the multilingual videos would support the growth of diverse businesses in one of the state's most linguistically diverse areas.
