Title
Renaming the 2000 block of N 59th Street "Will Smith Way" to honor and celebrate the impactful career and legacy of Will Smith, a West Philadelphia native.
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WHEREAS, Will Smith is a renowned actor, producer, and philanthropist whose career has spanned over three decades, making a significant impact on the entertainment industry and global culture, and is widely celebrated for his performances in television, film, and music, as well as his charitable contributions and advocacy for social justice and equality; and
WHEREAS, Will Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 25, 1968. He spent his formative years in the Wynnefield section of West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Smith's early life in Philadelphia played a foundational role in shaping the values and work ethic that would define his career. Growing up in a close-knit, working-class community in West Philadelphia, Smith attended Overbrook High School, where he began to hone his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, qualities that would later define his remarkable career in entertainment; and
WHEREAS, Smith's rise to fame began in Philadelphia during the late 1980s when he entered the music industry as part of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince alongside his childhood friend, Jeff Townes (DJ Jazzy Jeff). Their single "Parents Just Don't Understand" earned them the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989. This groundbreaking achievement was a defining moment in hip-hop history and put Smith on the map as a rising star in the entertainment world; and
WHEREAS, In 1990, he transitioned into acting and achieved his breakout role as the lead character in the hit television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Although the show was set in Los Angeles, its origins were rooted in Will's upbringing in West Philadelphia, and much of the humor, energy, and themes of the show reflected Smith's life experiences in the City. This series not only made him a household nam...
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