Elected to City Council in 2012, Councilwoman Cindy Bass represents Philadelphia’s 8th Councilmanic District, which includes Germantown, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill, Logan, and parts of Olney, West Oak Lane, North Philadelphia, and Feltonville. A lifelong Philadelphian, Bass was born and raised in North Philadelphia, graduated from its public schools, and earned a degree from Temple University. Born and raised in North Philadelphia, she has now lived in East Mount Airy for over three decades and is the proud mother of a teenage daughter.
Councilwoman Bass serves on several key committees, including Rules, Finance, Appropriations, Streets and Services, Public Health and Human Services, Housing and Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, the Environment, People with Disabilities and Special Needs, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs, and the Committee on Law and Government. Through these roles, she tirelessly champions initiatives to enhance the lives of her constituents by addressing food insecurity, improving parks and recreation facilities, supporting school development, providing job training opportunities, and resolving housing and neighborhood development issues.
Bass passionately advocates for quality-of-life improvements, including combating blight, illegal dumping, and trash in neighborhoods. She has fought for expanded library hours, safer and better-equipped recreation centers, and inclusive playground designs that serve children with developmental delays and older adults with fitness equipment. Her leadership led to the installation of security cameras and anti-loitering devices in recreation centers across Philadelphia, ensuring safe, welcoming spaces for all.
Her legislative efforts have tackled pressing concerns such as nuisance businesses and catalytic converter thefts. Bass introduced and passed the Nuisance Business Bill, which holds businesses accountable for activities that negatively impact communities, and spearheaded stricter penalties for the illegal buying and selling of catalytic converters and other vehicle parts.
Recognizing the need for workforce development and youth empowerment, Bass created a paid program to train inner-city youth as certified Restorative Justice Circle Keepers. This initiative equips young people with valuable skills and opportunities to positively impact their communities.
Bass’s commitment to community engagement is evident in her outreach efforts. She collaborates with organizations to provide free programs and services, including Defender Days, a free expungement clinic, and a robust food distribution program feeding between 3,000 and 6,000 people monthly. Her Oldies in the Park and Jazz, Funk & Soul concert series offer safe and vibrant entertainment for families, fostering community connections and creating memorable summer experiences.
She brings city services directly to constituents through town halls addressing housing, trash, and other critical issues. Her Walking, Talking, and Doing initiative involves walking neighborhoods with residents to identify problems and develop actionable solutions. Programs like Meet Us on Broad and her 8th District Action Team further demonstrate her dedication to meeting constituents where they are and ensuring their voices are heard.
In addition to her council work, Bass draws on her extensive experience in economic development, banking, housing, and civic engagement. She has served in the U.S. Congress, Pennsylvania State Senate, and on numerous campaigns supporting progressive candidates. A delegate to four Democratic National Conventions, Bass has also been a member of the Democratic State Committee for over 12 years and serves as Leader of the 22nd Ward.
Councilwoman Cindy Bass remains steadfast in her mission to uplift and empower the residents of the 8th District, ensuring a brighter future for all.