Title
Celebrating and commending Nikki Bagby for her steadfast devotion to using her platform to positively impact the lives of youth and vulnerable communities across the City of Philadelphia, on the occasion of Black History Month.
Body
WHEREAS, Nikki Bagby was born and raised in Philadelphia to two young parents, aged 19 and 20. Her father had to go to Vietnam, then dedicated his life helping other Vietnam veterans who had no voice. Her mother dedicated her life to service as well, especially within the disability community. They both suffered from multiple traumas, choosing to become Black Panthers. They both used their pain to help others, stirring up Nikki to do the same. She grew up in a poor neighborhood in Nicetown, living on three different blocks: Rowan Street, Dounton Street and Cleveland Street off Wingohocking Street; and
WHEREAS, Nikki was in fifth grade when she met her future husband, who was also at Steel School. She then attended Creative and Performing Arts, which she loved, but when she became a young mom she moved to Gratz High before ultimately graduating from Charles Carroll, which was an alternative High School. She would volunteer in after school programming and kept busy while helping to raise her little sister who also became a community leader; and
WHEREAS, Growing up in Nicetown, there was camaraderie and respect for older community members. Nikki wanted to protect youth within her community, so her home became a safe haven. When she became a young mom, she began to give back to her childhood school, where she played the flute, composed calligraphy, wrote poetry, became a young speaker, and learned so much about her culture and the history of the Black Power movement of the 1960s, grabbing hold of the Black is Beautiful mentality; and
WHEREAS, Nikki was married at 22, she had 5 kids by the time she was 27 and became a mom again with her 6 child at age of 36. Her children are the pride of her life and helped her to love her commu...
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