Impact Makers
ACANA’s IMPACT MAKERS banners along Southwest Philadelphia’s commercial corridors honor local and national heroes who have shaped the community, with plans to add more banners and QR codes for deeper stories.
If you’ve been up along the commercial corridors in Southwest Philadelphia, including Baltimore, Chester and Woodland Avenues, you may have noticed some new additions to the streetscape- ACANA’s IMPACT MAKERS banners! Twenty banners have been hung along the commercial corridors in Southwest Philadelphia to honor people who have positively influenced the Southwest Philadelphia communities. They can be located btw 48th & 58th / Woodland Street + 54th – 58th & Chester Street. From national figures like, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to our own local heroes, these banners recognize those who have given so generously of themselves to shape our past, inform our present and guide us toward a promising future.
An upcoming Phase 2 of the project will include the addition of more banners in the future as well as QR codes that will be added to the poles under each banner to take viewers to additional information about the lives and accomplishments of the featured Impact Makers.
A Guide to the Current IMPACT MAKER Banners
Council President Kenyatta Johnson
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson was elected to City Council in 2011 to represent residents of parts of Center City, South Philly and Southwest Philly.
Before his tenure in City Council, Kenyatta Johnson was a PA State Representative and a staunch anti-violence activist and founder of the organization Peace Not Guns.
He consistently demonstrates his commitment to community development such as revitalization of commercial corridors such as Woodland Avenue, support for minority-owned businesses, job training and job creation, homeownership opportunities, and public safety in his district and throughout Philadelphia and his leadership has been integral to the revitalization of our community.
Mayor Cherelle Parker
In 2023, Cherelle Parker was elected Philadelphia’s 100th Mayor and the first woman to ever hold this position.
Her previous 10 years of public service as a PA State Representative and subsequent 6 years as a member of City Council more than prepared her for her current role.
She has laid out her plan to make Philadelphia the “safest, cleanest and greenest city in the nation” and she has swiftly enacted various innovative and ambitious policies to get the job done.
Senator Anthony H. Williams
PA State Senator Anthony Hardy Williams has been representing residents since his election in 1998, filling the seat vacated by the retirement of his father, Senator Hardy Williams.
He represents the 8th senatorial district that includes parts of West and Southwest Philly as well as a parts of Delaware County.
Within the PA Senate, Senator Williams has held numerous influential positions and chaired many significant committees, including the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. Through decades of service, Senator Williams has advocated for education reform, economic development, healthcare access and social justice.
President Barack Obama
44th President of the United States, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, and most notably our first and to this date, only Black President.
His tenure began while the country was reeling from the collapse of the housing market, failure to major banks and the significant economic recession. President Obama passed significant legislation to stabilize the economy and working families. He was responsible for the Affordable Care Act, that provided means for many previously uninsured residents and families to obtain health insurance.
He campaigned for President on the message of HOPE and for his many accomplishments, of which he has many, for a lot of us his greatest legacy is that of HOPE. He represents the idea that when we dare to hope, even for things that we have never seen before – like a black U.S. President!!! – we can do what people said we never could.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement, advocating for racial equality and justice through nonviolent protest.
He played a central role in organizing events such as the 1963 March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for an end to segregation and racial discrimination. Dr. King’s leadership helped lead to the passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1965.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his efforts to combat racial inequality through peaceful means. King’s legacy continues to inspire movements for social justice and equality around the world.
Councilmember Jamie Gauthier
Philadelphia City Councilmember representing the 3rd Councilmatic district, which comprises West and part of Southwest Philadelphia.
Since taking office in 2020, she has championed policies aimed at environmental justice, housing equity and affordable housing development, public health, support of small and minority-owned businesses, and youth.
She has consistently pushed to ensure equal access to City services, that communities have input on the policies that effect their lives, and that residents can remain in the neighborhoods they’ve lived and worked in for so many years.
Rep. Jordan Harris
Since 2012, PA State Representative Jordan Harris has been representing his constituents in South and Southwest Philly.
He is known for his commitment to criminal justice reform, especially his authorship and co-sponsorship of PA’s Clean Slate Law that establishes the automatic sealing of certain criminal records and has become the model for similar bills in different states as well as federal Clean Slate legislation.
In addition to various criminal justice reforms, Representative Harris has fiercely supported public education, job creation, affordable housing and community development. Representative Harris is known for his ability to build consensus and coalitions and has held positions of distinction within the PA House of Representatives including Whip of the Democratic Caucus and his current role as House Majority Appropriations Chairman.
Rep. Regina Young
PA State Representative for the 185th District elected in 2021 after years of service as a Community Organizer. Rep. Young and her husband, Steve Young, founded Empowered CDC a nonprofit community-driven organization operating out of Southwest Philadelphia with programs for youth, seniors, home repairs, violence interruption and community development.
As State Representative she fighting to ensure quality education, job opportunities, and a higher quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.
Jannie L. Blackwell
The name Jannie Blackwell will forever be associated with West and Southwest Philadelphia. You can’t talk about one without the other. Mrs. Blackwell currently serves as Vice Chair of the Philadelphia Democratic Party and Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, an organization that she established in 2005. She is most known for her over 28 years of service as a Philadelphia Councilmember who represented the 3rd Councilmanic District, encompassing West and part of Southwest Philadelphia. She was elected to City Council in 1991, the seat made available by her husband, Lucien Blackwell’s election to the United States Congress. To date, they are the only couple to both have been sworn into public office on the same day. Through decades of public service, Jannie Blackwell has led the charge on many issues including affordable housing, equitable access to economic opportunities and much more, with the two issues closest to her heart being education and homelessness. Her name and image grace walls of community spaces, homeless shelters, murals and affordable housing facilities. Have a meeting at Philadelphia Housing Authority(PHA)? It might be held in their Jannie L. Blackwell Conference Room! Jannie L. Blackwell is a Philadelphia icon who has lived by her motto that, “Politics is an open-ended opportunity to make life better for others.”
Stanley L. Straughter
Stanley L. Straughter is a prominent community leader and advocate in Philadelphia, known for his tireless efforts in improving the lives of underrepresented populations. A specialist in International Business Development with over 40 years of experience in international development, he has lived and worked in several countries on the continents of Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Russia. He is Chairman Emeritus and a founding member of the Mayor’s Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs and the African and Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia. Mr. Straughter dedicated much of his career to fostering economic development and job opportunities for minority communities in Philadelphia and around the world. He was instrumental in founding the Pennsylvania Association of Black Public Administrators (ABPA), working to elevate African American representation in public service. Mr. Straughter has served as a senior advisor and worked directly with the late Reverend Leon H. Sullivan, Founder and Chairman, OIC International and the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help (IFESH). Mr. Straughter participated in the design and implementation of programs in which OIC International provided training, agricultural and economic development to countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. Throughout his career, Stanley Straughter has been respected for his leadership, vision, and commitment to social justice and equity.
House Speaker, Rep. Joanna McClinton
Joanna McClinton was elected to the PA House of Representatives in 2015, representing the 191st District, composed of neighborhoods in Southwest Philadelphia and Darby and Yeadon, Delaware County.
She has held various leadership roles in the state legislature including Majority Leader, Minority Leader, House Democratic Caucus Chair and currently serves as House Democratic Leader/Speaker- making her the first woman to hold this position since the PA House of Representatives was established almost 250 years ago.
As someone who was raised in the church and trained as a lawyer, Rep. Joanna McClinton brings a wealth of knowledge, legal prowess, compassion and coalition building skills to the various issues affecting our communities. House Speaker McClinton in one of Philadelphia’s dynamic new generation of leaders and a rising star in local and state politics.
Rev. Dr. Evelyn C. Graves
Dr. Evelyn Graves was a faith leader and community activist in Southwest Philly and Yeadon, PA.
Her desire to combat the gang violence she was seeing in the 1960s and 70s led her to establish many programs including Evelyn Graves Ministries Church, Evelyn Graves Drama Productions, Day Care Center, Academy and Summer Day Camp. For over 50 years, Dr. Graves, through her programs, has fed, clothed and educated youth, homeless, drug addicted and other vulnerable community residents. The drama program that began in 1971 in Kingsessing Recreation Center has performed around the country and overseas. Dr. Graves has earned countless awards including honors from Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
The City of Philadelphia has designated a portion of Chester Avenue near 55th Street as “Dr. Evelyn Graves Way” in honor of her and her many contributions to our community.
Voffee Jabateh
Voffee Jabateh is a lifelong community advocate. A native of Liberia, West Africa, Voffee Jabateh co-founded the African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA) in 1999 to assist African and Caribbean immigrants who lacked sufficient access to social benefits, education, health care, economic development opportunities and cultural events. As a former social worker and entrepreneur he understands the needs of underserved communities and small businesses. Under Mr. Jabateh’s leadership as CEO, ACANA has expanded to become one of Southwest Philadelphia’s most trusted community organizations serving all of its residents regardless of national origin with programs that include health and mental health services, immigration services, benefits assistance, financial counseling, English classes, ACANAfest African music festival, commercial corridor management and community development. Additionally, Mr. Jabateh, as head of ACANA, has been pivotal in the Philadelphia Africatown initiative- a rebranding of Southwest Philadelphia to honor the black and brown residents- both African Americans and African and Caribbean-born residents, and to draw much needed investments dollars to the community to support affordable housing, supports for small businesses, and job creation.
Anthony Mango & Bernard August
Anthony Mango and Bernard August were partners in Mango & August Real Estate that is still located at the corner of 56th and Chester Ave.
They were astute businessmen but also known for being gentlemen who cared about more than just money.
During the years when many of the white residents were leaving Southwest Philly, immigrants from Asian and African countries began moving in.
Many landlords refused to rent to these newly arrived residents, but Mango & August did not discriminate.
Many of the African immigrant residents of Southwest Philadelphia and Delaware County still speak fondly of Mango & August Real Estate for giving them the opportunity to provide a safe and warm home for their families in their new home of Philadelphia.
Dr. Minnie Moore-Johnson
Dr. Minnie Moore-Johnson, a long-term resident of Southwest Philadelphia has been serving the vulnerable residents of her neighborhood and others around the city for over 30 years. As Founder and CEO of Concerned Parents, Inc., Dr. Minnie Moore-Johnson has provided thousands of meals to residents of all ages and walks of life, including her annual Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors. Her organization partnered with the Pennsylvania Prison Society to provide volunteer opportunities to returning citizens, even becoming a part-time Life Skills Educator, then a full-time Jobs Developer training formerly incarcerated residents for various employment opportunities and helping them secure jobs with decent pay and full benefits. Dr. Minnie Moore-Johnson became the most sought after Job Developer in the State of Pennsylvania and her success with this program led her to create and teach the only certified Job Development course at Temple University to train ex-offender programs, social workers, job developers and probation/parole officers how to successfully assist returning citizens in becoming gainfully employed. Dr. Moore-Johnson has devoted her life to serving her Southwest Philadelphia community.
Saboor Muhammad
Saboor Muhammad was a community activist and educator. He is one of the original founders of Southwest Philadelphia District Services(SWPDS), a community organization made up of men from all walks of life, united in their commitment to the residents and especially the youth of the Southwest Philly neighborhoods. Under Saboor’s co-leadership, SWPDS hosted various programs and giveaways, including their annual Kwaanza program that showcased the talent of neighborhood youth. Anyone who knew Saboor knew that he devoured knowledge and was especially keen on the topics of Black History and Health. The only thing he loved more than absorbing knowledge, was the opportunity to pass that knowledge along to the youth he tutored, other young people, and anyone willing to listen. His legacy of teaching continues with a SWPDS program called Community Classroom, that he helped establish and that still takes place every Friday and serves as a place to learn and engage.
Dr. L. Tom Reid
Dr. Reid was a lifelong community leader and activist. He was elected as a Committeeperson for the 3rd Ward in Southwest Philadelphia at the age of 21. He served as Chief of Staff to and was mentored by the late Senator Hardy Williams. Dr. Reid founded the esteemed Crisis Intervention Network, along with Bennie Swans, Larry Rawls and Randall Sims, to reduce gang violence in the city. In 1999, Dr. Tom Reid founded the drug and alcohol recovery program, Southwest Nu-Stop Recovery and Education Center that operated for over 20 years, helping thousands of men and women obtain and maintain their sobriety. Throughout the years he established and assisted numerous programs and organizations providing recovery, education, housing, recreation and vocational training to returning citizens. He even provided staff jobs to ex-offenders through his NOMO Foundation. Dr. Tom Reid’s legacy of activism and compassion has left an indelible mark on the Southwest Philadelphia community.