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File #: 210938    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 11/18/2021 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 12/2/2021
Title: Also naming the 1400 block of N. Frazier Street as "Queen Mother Falaka Fattah Way," in honor of Falaka Fattah, to commemorate her legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja and her leadership in mentoring over 3,000 African American youth in her lifetime.
Sponsors: Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Gilmore Richardson, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Gauthier, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Sanchez, Councilmember Brooks, Councilmember Gym
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 21093800, 2. Signature21093800

Title

Also naming the 1400 block of N. Frazier Street as “Queen Mother Falaka Fattah Way,” in honor of Falaka Fattah, to commemorate her legacy as the co-founder of the House of Umoja and her leadership in mentoring over 3,000 African American youth in her lifetime.

 

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WHEREAS, Queen Mother Falaka Fattah was born as Frances Ellen Brown in Philadelphia in 1931. She was the founder of the House of Umoja, which was established in 1968 with the goal of providing youth mentorship and ending gang violence in Philadelphia; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah had deep educational ties to Philadelphia. She graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls and studied writing at Temple University; and  

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah had a devotion to journalism work. She participated in both writing and editing for publications like The Philadelphia Tribune, The Philadelphia Independent, The Philadelphia Afro-American, The Bulletin, and Open-Mic; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah founded the House of Umoja to serve as a sanctuary for Philadelphia youth involved in gang activity to give them a support system based on family. After founding the organization by bringing gang affiliated youth into her home, she continued to serve as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah’s work with the House of Umoja earned her over 100 awards and the respect and admiration of two U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah’s expertise in working with youth led her to serve as an Urban Youth Consultant for Arthur D. Little, with the Office of Juvenile Justice, and as an Associate Professor at the Community College of Philadelphia; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah was a prolific servant in her community as the founder of The Black United Front, serving on the Mayor’s Commission on Women, the Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission, and the Philadelphia Council for Neighborhood Organizations; and

 

WHEREAS, Queen Mother Fattah’s dedication to teaching, mentoring, and nurturing over 3,000 young African Americans, and her service to the No Gang War in 74 Campaign, which influenced the lives of thousands, should be memorialized; now, therefore, be it

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the legacy and dedicated service of Queen Mother Falaka Fattah to Philadelphia youth be memorialized and the 1400 block of N. Frazier Street shall henceforth be known as “Queen Mother Falaka Fattah Way.”

 

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Queen Mother Falaka Fattah as evidence of the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

 

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