Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker's latest week in office has been marked by a series of high-profile events and initiatives, each aimed at forwarding her vision for the city. As reported by the City of Philadelphia's official website, Mayor Parker kicked off the week with a trip to Harrisburg to attend the Pennsylvania Press Club Luncheon on Monday, June 24. There, she unveiled her "One Philly" vision, an ambitious plan to make Philadelphia "the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in America with economic opportunity for all," the announcement stated.
The following day, Mayor Parker attended a screening of "Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land," a documentary looking at the impact of "Heir’s Property" on Black land ownership. At the event, the Mayor drew parallels to similar issues of "Tangled Titles" plaguing Philadelphia residents. Mayor Parker's goal to decisively address these local housing concerns signifies her commitment to not only identify but to actively dismantle the complexities that trouble many of the city homeowners. Later that same evening, in a live segment called "Street Talk" with Power 99 and 105.3 WDAS, she explored further topics on public safety and her "Clean and Green" initiative, discussing the next steps for improving the Kensington area.
On Wednesday, June 26, Mayor Parker appeared at a news conference with United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. At the conference, detailed on the official City of Philadelphia website, a $3.32 million HUD grant was awarded to the city. This significant financial boost is earmarked for the removal of barriers to affordable housing production and preservation in Philadelphia.
Perhaps the most impactful announcement of the week came on Thursday when Mayor Parker introduced the "Extended Day, Extended Year" pilot school initiative. The plan, set to launch in 25 Phase 1 pilot schools this fall, is ambitious, designed to ensure that Philadelphia students have the opportunity to truly excel academically by providing enrichment opportunities and additional learning time. During the announcement, Mayor Parker emphasized that the program "will not be mandatory for students to participate," and reassured that "the city will not be asking anything more of the incredibly hard-working educators," making it clear that the program will be provided at no cost to the families.
