Strawberry Mansion: Five Murals That Tell the Community’s Story
While in Strawberry Mansion one can see history everywhere. The Historic Strawberry Mansion is in Fairmount Park. An inexpensive and easy way to see the history of this community is to walk around and take in the breathtaking murals. Why We Love Coltrane by Ernel Martinez Being an integral part of the North Philadelphia […]
Strawberry Mansion: Kevin Upshur, Founder of the Strawberry Mansion Learning Center
Kevin Upshur, a longtime resident of Strawberry Mansion, has watched his neighborhood go through changes in his life. The biggest change? Upshur’s family owned and operated bar, was converted into the Strawberry Mansion Learning Center, a non-profit neighborhood education and resource center. Opening its doors in 2008, the center, has provided the children of the community […]
Brewerytown: Philly Tutors Uses Fun and Games for Education
Billy Eisenberg always had a passion for learning and passing on knowledge. So, naturally, after college he became a teacher. In the summer of 2002, while teaching 7th grade social studies, Eisenberg began to tutor on the side. He posted a few flyers around the neighborhood, and was blown away by the response. Parents–a lot […]
Nicetown-Logan: Five Historic Places
North Philadelphia has a rich history revolving around blue-collar workers. Nicetown and Logan are home to historic locations that served the workers who lived in the city. These locations hold countless stories about the people of Philadelphia. The Stenton The Stenton is a mansion in Logan, Philadelphia (above) that used to belong to James Logan, […]
Nicetown: CDC Offers Opportunities for a Better Community
Sandra Harmon has been helping others for quite literally her entire life. Her mother, who was also dedicated to community service, got Harmon involved at a young age and she hasn’t stopped since. She now works as the community outreach director at the Nicetown Community Development Corporation. She spends her time coordinating efforts that help the […]
Politics: Cindy Bass Gives The Community A Voice
Logan residents feel they have been kept in the shadows for decades by their council people, but City Councilwoman Cindy Bass is finally giving them a voice. “We’ve been promised that our issues are going to be addressed by the politicians over and over again,” said Cecil Hankins, a neighborhood resident. “Logan is the least of […]
Strawberry Mansion: For One Urban Rider, Growing Up Was Just Something Different
The Fletcher Street stables are home. At least that’s how Jamil Prattis describes them. Prattis, 29, has been coming to Fletcher Street since he was 11 when his cousin taught him to ride. His first horse was a 12-year-old thoroughbred named Lady Tracey. He took care of her, riding her until she died in 2013. […]
Strawberry Mansion: A Family Man Who Helps Lead His Community
For the past 54 years, Alfonso Glenn has lived in Strawberry Mansion. Born in the 1960s, Glenn has experienced decades of change, but still believes some of the same issues plague his community. Growing up during the peak of the city’s crack epidemic, Glenn found himself dealing drugs on the corner because it was the […]
Hunting Park: Kensington Pastor Unifies Church Communities Through Charity And Outreach
In August 2009, Stephen Thompson was ordained as a pastor. Now a senior pastor at House of Triumph, located in Kensington, Thompson helps run community-oriented programs at the church. These programs include food outreach dinners twice a week and group addiction counseling twice a month. The church also holds a free market outreach once a month […]
Comedy: Former Ohio Comics Now Contributing To Local Communities
Dorian Vasquez and Setoiyo Ekpo are both Philadelphia-based comedians by way of Columbus, Ohio. Each giving back to North Philadelphia residents in their own way, they just happen — by coincidence — to be helping people on different ends of the age spectrum. Vasquez is as a career specialist, helping find jobs for graduates at […]