Title
Celebrating the selection of The Upcycled Self: A Memoire on the Art of Becoming Who We Are by Tariq Trotter for the 2025 One Book, One Philadelphia program.
Body
WHEREAS, Since its founding in 1891, the Free Library of Philadelphia has worked to build an enlightened community devoted to lifelong learning. Now, on its 23rd annual season, the Free Library of Philadelphia’s One Book, One Philadelphia is a signature project of the Free Library of Philadelphia. It promotes literacy, library usage, and civic dialogue by encouraging the entire greater Philadelphia area to come together through the sharing of ideas and the joy of reading; and
WHEREAS, The Upcycled Self is a powerful memoir by Tariq Trotter, chronicling his journey from a turbulent childhood in Philadelphia to becoming a legendary artist. Through vivid storytelling, the author explores themes of resilience, creativity, and personal reinvention, showing how struggles can be transformed into strength. This deeply introspective book is both a testament to survival and an inspiring guide to embracing one’s own evolution.; and
WHEREAS, Tariq Trotter, also known as Black Thought, is the platinum-selling, four-time Grammy Award-winning co-founder of The Roots and one of the most exhilaratingly skillful and profound rappers our culture has ever produced. A talented solo artist, actor, writer, producer, and creator, Trotter has won three NAACP Image Awards. He co-produced the Grammy Award-winning original Broadway cast recording of “Hamilton” and made his theatrical debut in “Black No More.”; and
WHEREAS, The official One Book, One Philadelphia public reading period lasts from April to June 2025. Programming begins on Friday, April 11 with a Kickoff Conversation with Tariq Trotter. The event will be held at the Parkway Central Library; and
WHEREAS, The seven-week programming season features dozens of free-to-the-public events, discussions, and creative workshops centering on themes from Tariq Trotter’s novel, The Upcycled Self, and the youth companion titles Let Me Hear a Rhyme, written by Tiffany Jackson, and The Artivist, written by Nikkolas Smith; and
WHEREAS, Along with presenting two youth companion titles to enrich discussions with younger readers across the city, One Book, One Philadelphia offers curricula, discussion guides, and a list of recommended reading for all ages that celebrates literature and connects with the themes in the featured book; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby celebrate the selection of Tariq Trotter’s The Upcycled Self for the 2025 One Book, One Philadelphia program.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed Copy of this Resolution be presented to Tariq Trotter evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.
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