PHILADELPHIA, PA. — Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At Large) will host his #BlackBusinessCrawl across the City of Philadelphia beginning February 3, 2020. Councilmember Thomas wants to show Philadelphians that no matter what business or neighborhood, there is a way to support a black-owned business. Through his social media platforms and site visits, Councilmember Thomas will promote black-owned restaurants, spas, art galleries, contracting firms and more.
Councilmember Thomas believes that, while it is important to celebrate icons of the past such as Malcolm X and Frederick Douglas, it is equally important to recognize the leaders of today and tomorrow. According to an article from WGBH News, “City-wide, minority-owned businesses landed 23-percent of Philadelphia city contracts last year, totaling $166 million.”
“I have always advocated for the growth of Black and brown entrepreneurship ,” said Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. “As a member of City Council, I will use policy to bring more people of color into every conversation from the police contract to Rebuild. I believe it is equally important to lift up communities of color without legislation; by shining a light on admirable black-owned businesses, we are reminded of the economic and social contributions from the black community. I look forward to visiting every neighborhood in support of black-owned businesses and encourage all Philadelphians to learn more about their local black economy.”
Councilmember Thomas encourages members of the public to follow this journey on his Council social media accounts (@CMThomasPHL) or his hashtag #BlackBusinessCrawl. He will make at least one of his business visits open to the media. At the end of the month, Councilmember Thomas will host a luncheon with all participating businesses in City Hall to showcase the culmination of the Black-Owned Business Crawl.
Councilmember Thomas is an At-Large City Council member and represents every zip code of the City of Philadelphia. He serves in leadership positions on the Council Committees on Streets and Services as well as the Committee on Children and Youth. Councilmember Thomas is the youngest member of City Council and is proud to represent the growing millennial population. As a political outsider, Councilmember Thomas pledges to always keep young people and underrepresented communities in the forefront while serving on City Council.
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