In recognition of International Jazz Day, celebrated on April 30th, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier has introduced a resolution honoring and recognizing legendary Philadelphian jazz musician Edward “Lee” Morgan (1938-1972).

The Library of Congress recently announced that it was adding Lee Morgan’s The Sidewinder to the National Recording Registry (read more details here). On Tuesday, April 30, Lee Morgan will also be memorialized with a historical marker outside of the former Aqua Lounge at 52nd and Chancellor, the jazz club where he last performed in Philadelphia in 1971 before his tragic death at age 33 (see more details about this event below).

Morgan was born on July 10, 1938, grew up in the Tioga neighborhood, and began playing the trumpet at the age of 14. His musical development was nurtured by the Philadelphia jazz community, and his early interaction with professional musicians at the Heritage House Jazz Workshop and Music City Swing Club.

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The 5400 block of Woodland Avenue has been officially named “Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson Way” after longtime Southwest Philadelphian and community leader, Dr. Minnie Moore Johnson.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier also presented a resolution honoring Dr. Johnson’s service to Southwest Philadelphia and the city at large.

Dr. Johnson moved to Philadelphia from Brooklyn as a teenager and became a social worker and community servant. She volunteered to provide food to seniors at Thanksgiving in 1968. Two decades later, in 1988, she hosted Thanksgiving dinner for more than 25,000 seniors at the then-Philadelphia Civic Center, garnering recognition by the Smithsonian Institute for her efforts, which was credited as the largest “one-day feeding in the history of the City.”

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Fran Byers at a Clark Park re-opening event in 2012 (Archive Photo – West Philly Local).

We are sad to report that long-term Spruce Hill resident and community organizer, Fran Byers, 83, passed away this week. During almost all of her life in Spruce Hill, Fran was involved with local community organizations and neighborhood groups. She was a founding member of Friends of Clark Park.

“Fran… lived one block away from the park, and was an active member in many neighborhood groups, but her dedication to Clark Park knew no bounds,” reads a post dedicated to Fran’s passing on the Friends of Clark Park website.

“Fran had served as president many times and was still active at the time of her death. A threat to remove the internationally famous Dickens statue from removal triggered the original drive by Fran and fellow activists to create Friends of Clark Park; decades later, she still proudly served the cake at Dickens Birthday Party.”

For years, Fran headed many activities at Clark Park, like Bark in the Park, the Veterans Day celebration and Christmas caroling. She was also involved with St. Francis De Sales Church and the Calvary Center.

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               Photo from temple.edu

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (3rd District) recently introduced a resolution honoring the life and celebrating the legacy of the late Emanuel Kelly, a trailblazing architect, longtime Temple University professor, and champion of affordable housing and equity.

Kelly passed away on January 12 at the age of 80. He spent the last 45 years of his life living in a Queen Anne-style house across from Clark Park, which he refurbished himself.

Gauthier’s resolution, introduced last week at a City Council meeting, celebrates Kelly’s historic career and honors his many contributions to Philadelphia.

“Today, we honor one of Philadelphia’s homegrown heroes, an esteemed member of Philadelphia’s ongoing Black history,” Gauthier said. “Emanuel Kelly may have passed on last month, but his mark on Philadelphia – figuratively and literally – will live on for generations.”

Kelly’s wife, family, friends, colleagues, and admirers testified about Mr. Kelly’s legacy during public comment.

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The 2023 Pennsylvania General Election, when Philadelphians will elect a new mayor, is just three weeks away. On Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6-8 p.m., the 27th Ward Democratic Committee (Facebook page) is hosting a meet and greet with mayoral candidate Cherelle Parker at the West Philly restaurant Clarkville, located at 43rd and Baltimore. The event is free and open to the public. Check out the flyer below for more details.

Parker is running against Republican David Oh in the general election on November 7.

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Councilmember Jamie Gauthier (center) displays a facsimile sign along with Vernoca L. Michael (left), former executive director of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance/Paul Robeson House and Museum; Janice Sykes-Ross (right), executive director, and former Councilmember Jannie Blackwell (far right).

The draping came down on a new street sign at the corner of 50th and Walnut Streets Friday morning as the 4900 block of Walnut Street became “Paul L. Robeson Way.”

Dozens of local officials, including Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton, neighbors and supporters of the Paul Robeson House and Museum were on hand for the street-renaming ceremony near 4951 Walnut, where Robeson lived with his sister Marian Forsythe for the last 10 years of his life. He died in 1976.

“Paul Robeson became one of the most devoted fighters at home and abroad,” said Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier, who introduced resolutions in City Council renaming the block and designating April 9 as “Paul Robeson Day.” “He did this during a time when racists regularly lynched people who looked like him for speaking out against injustice.” Continue Reading