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Recognizing and Honoring Philadelphia Vernoca Michael for her exemplary service to the City of Philadelphia with special acknowledgment of her leadership at the legendary Blue Horizon and her work in West Philadelphia at the Paul Robeson House.
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WHEREAS, Vernoca is the daughter of the late Rev. Dr. E. Raphael Michael, Pastor, Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Michael, Second Vice President, International Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Zion Church. She is a 50 year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Vernoca is a graduate of Girls' High School of Boston, MA, attended Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for special studies, completed her BA Degree at Livingstone College and received two Masters Degrees in Community Organization and City Planning and did additional studies at the University of Pennsylvania in Business and Finance and Law; and
WHEREAS, Vernoca was the co-owner and CEO/President of The Legendary Blue Horizon, the No. 1 Boxing Venue in the World, sited by Ring and Sports Illustrated Magazines. Vernoca also became the First African American Female Licensed Boxing Promoter and established three boxing businesses. She was voted Promoter of the Year for 2009. She was the first African American Female to have her boxing on ESPN. Several years ago, she launched the Philadelphia Boxing Museum designed to highlight Philadelphia’s great history in boxing. “The Blue” now celebrates 52 World Champions who have fought there. While The Legendary Blue Horizon is known for the ROCKY films, Vernoca was instrumental in getting AMC to film the remake of ROCKY and Disney to film Annapolis there; and
WHEREAS, Vernoca was featured in Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, Ring, Everlast and Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Tribune, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Sunday Sun, The Philadelphia New Observer, French, Israeli, Montreal and Hawaiian News, Sweden’s Top Boxing Magazine, the English and Spanish Press, Delaware County Times and the Philadelphia Business Journals just to mention a few. She has appeared on Canadian, Swedish, German and Russian TV as well and in commercials and public service announcements for the City of Philadelphia and for a commercial for President Obama; and
WHEREAS, As an award winning entrepreneur and renowned motivational speaker, Vernoca L. Michael has spoken for all types of audiences-- universities, businesses, organizations, television and radio. Currently, Vernoca is giving leadership to the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance /Paul Robeson House to assist in the growth of its programs. Vernoca was included in the documentary on Paul Robeson and is featured in the book “Stories From The Paul Robeson House”; and
WHEREAS, Vernoca Michael has participated and lead in many ventures, including founding “NIA KUUMBA”, a non-profit organization serving over 18,000 young people from 19 colleges, 13 high schools, 3 training centers and the court appointed persons, stepping in as the Executive Director of Domestic Abuse in Delaware County, PA, setting up base service units, groups homes and shelter workshops in Philadelphia, assisting in establishing the Philadelphia Aids Consortium and chairing the Regional HIV/AIDS, and started her career working as the first African American Manager of Allocations for the United Way of America; and
WHEREAS, Vernoca Michael has received many accolades for her work in the community. In 2010, she was cited by Mayor Michael Nutter and Governor Edward Rendell for her outstanding work in the community with students. Additionally, she has received over 70 awards including Temple University’s Fox Business School Community Partners Award, PA Business Journal’s BEST 50 WOMEN IN BUSINESS in Pennsylvania, Madame C.J. Walker Award, the Movers and Shakers Award; recognized by Philadelphia City Council for her work in Cancer and inducted into the African American Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Vernoca Michael has always been actively engaged in her local community. For years, she was Block Captain in Southwest Philadelphia. She also served on the Council of the PA Horticultural Society testifying on their behalf and volunteering for the Flower Show. While also fulfilling her passion for visiting the sick and aged while often visiting and corresponding with prisoners; and
WHEREAS, Each day after her meditation, Vernoca writes positive articulations on cards and passes them out to anyone who comes in contact with her. For over 25 years, she has been noted for hugging all those coming into her presence including her boxers and her audiences; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes and honors Vernoca Michael for her exemplary service to the City of Philadelphia with special acknowledgment of her leadership at the legendary Blue Horizon and her work in West Philadelphia at the Paul Robeson House.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Vernoca Michael as a sincere expression of the Council of the City of Philadelphia’s gratitude, admiration and recognition.
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