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Honoring Kyasha Tyson, and recognizing her for her tireless service to the people of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
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WHEREAS, While Kyasha Tyson was not born in Philadelphia, the City has been lucky enough to count her as a resident over the past twenty years; and
WHEREAS, Kyasha moved to Philadelphia in the fall of 2002 to attend Temple University, where she earned degrees in Communication & Media Studies and African American Studies; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduation from Temple in 2006, Kyasha spent four years working for Prime Movers Philadelphia, a program where media students from Temple University provide instructional support to journalism programs at the City's high schools. Started by Dorothy Gilliam and Acel Moore, a former award-winning columnist at The Philadelphia Inquirer, the program gives students an after-school journalism experience and training in print, broadcast, and online media; and
WHEREAS, During her time at Prime Movers Philadelphia, Kyasha served as the Assistant Director, where she managed the daily operations for up to 20 high school media clubs. This job clearly paved the way for Kyasha’s future in public service - she worked with both schools and students, as well as esteemed journalists; and
WHEREAS, In 2009 and 2010, Kyasha also served as Assistant Producer and Outreach Coordinator at 900AM WURD. She produced numerous weekday evening radio shows, which included doing research, conducting pre-show interviews, and scheduling participating guests; and
WHEREAS, In April 2011, Kyasha began working for then State Representative Cherelle Parker. Kyasha was hired to serve as Representative Parker’s Public & Community Relations Liaison, but if you ask anyone who worked with her, they will tell you that at various times, she performed the responsibilities of every job in the Representative’s office; and
WHEREAS, While working for Representative Parker, Kyasha pursued her post-graduate education at Villanova University, where she graduated in 2015 with a Master’s in Public Administration. A dedicated public servant, Kyasha put these new skills to work immediately on behalf of the neighbors and neighborhoods that she served; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, Kyasha continued her public service work with Cherelle Parker when Parker became the City Councilperson for the 9th Council District. Kyasha’s official title was Director of Community and Economic Development, but again, there was no job that she couldn’t, and didn’t, do; and
WHEREAS, Kyasha has worked for City Council for seven years. During her tenure with the City, Kyasha has dedicated her time and effort to serving the residents of the 9th Council District. For example, she helped grow the Kitchen of Love from a food pantry in the District Office to an offsite location that now serves more than 150 individuals daily. She also played a major role in planning the Annual Holiday Lighting Event on Wadsworth Avenue, a beloved neighborhood event; and
WHEREAS, With her focus on economic development, Kyasha has worked with the Commerce Department on too many initiatives to name. One of the most noteworthy, the Philadelphia Taking Care of Business (PHL TCB) Clean Corridors Program, funds community-based non-profit organizations that sweep sidewalks and remove litter within neighborhood commercial corridors across the entire City; and
WHEREAS, Kyasha also played a key role in branding efforts on several neighborhood commercial corridors in the 9th Council District. Now many neighbors, whenever they see a banner on commercial corridors such as Wadsworth Avenue or Castor Avenue, they will think of Kyasha; and
WHEREAS, Kyasha has helped make the 9th Council District a cleaner, safer, more vibrant place to call home. For example, she personally assisted with Rebuild and other beautification projects at six neighborhood recreation centers, and she helped establish and expand relationships with a variety of neighborhood-based organizations; and
WHEREAS, Kyasha made numerous contributions that will have a lasting impact on the 9th Council District and the City of Philadelphia. In her seven years of service with City Council, Kyasha has had a profoundly positive impact on the look and feel of the 9th District. Her colleagues and the countless neighbors whose lives she impacted are ever grateful for her tireless efforts; and
WHEREAS, Not only will the 9th District team miss her presence, but the 9th District neighbors will as well; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby honors Kyasha Tyson, and recognizes her for her tireless service to the people of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.
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