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Honoring and recognizing Distinguished Young Gentlemen for its mentorship and youth development work empowering Philadelphia’s elementary school-aged boys through etiquette, character-building, and leadership development, as part of the Children & Youth Spotlight, which celebrates community-centered organizations uplifting young people across the City.
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WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes that the long-term success of our City depends on ensuring that young people, especially those facing systemic barriers have access to positive mentorship, positive role models, and the life skills needed to thrive in school and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Distinguished Young Gentlemen is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit initiative that empowers African American boys in elementary school by cultivating confidence, character, and leadership through etiquette, social skills training and structured mentorship that supports their academic, professional, and personal growth; and
WHEREAS, The organization was founded by Dwayne E. Frazier an educator, a mentor, and retired Philadelphia Fire Department veteran who created the program to help boys embody integrity, respect, and excellence while equipping them with the interpersonal tools needed to navigate diverse environments and break cycles of poverty and inequity; and
WHEREAS, Distinguished Young Gentlemen facilitates a weekly after-school program at Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School in Overbrook, offering consistent guidance, exposure opportunities, and enriching conversations that foster student wellbeing and future readiness; and
WHEREAS, The program’s core structure is rooted in its “Five Rs” Respect, Responsibility, Reading and Reflection, Resilience, and Refinement all of which reinforce accountability, literacy, positive identity development, and everyday etiquette, helping students communicate confidently, carry themselves with pride, and build lifelong habits of discipline and professionalism; and
WHEREAS, It is essential to uplift organizations like Distinguished Young Gentlemen whose work strengthens Philadelphia’s social fabric by helping young boys grow into responsible, confident, community-minded young men; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and recognizes Distinguished Young Gentlemen for its extraordinary service to Philadelphia’s youth through mentorship, etiquette and leadership development, and character-building programming that helps young boys grow into responsible, confident, and community-minded young men.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Dwayne E. Frazier, Founder & President, and the Distinguished Young Gentlemen team in recognition of their outstanding service, unwavering commitment to youth development, and contributions to building a stronger and more hopeful Philadelphia.
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