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Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the FunTimes Magazine, a community-driven magazine focused on the African Diaspora.
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WHEREAS, An estimated 50,000 African immigrants, 30,000 individuals of Caribbean descent, and over 600,000 African Americans live in the Greater Philadelphia area, representing a variety of nations, cultures, languages, religions and organizations; and
WHEREAS, We are honored and privileged that these men and women chose to come here to Philadelphia to live as they deeply enrich our City through cultural, social, political, economic, and educational initiatives; and
WHEREAS, This year, FunTimes Magazine celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the theme of “Celebrating Unity in the Community”; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1992 as “The Trusted Information Source for the African Diaspora!,” FunTimes began operating in Philadelphia over ten years ago; and
WHEREAS, The magazine provides information regarding African, Caribbean and African American communities in the Delaware Valley; and
WHEREAS, FunTimes successfully shifted to a fully online presence after the Covid-19 pandemic with over 70,000 likes and followers reaching over a million people on Facebook; and
WHEREAS, As a community trusted information source, FunTimes is a nationally certified Minority Business Enterprise with an “A” rating accreditation by the Better Business Bureau; and
WHEREAS, FunTimes is also a member of the Pen and Pencil Club of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Associations of Black Journalists (PABJ) and LION Publishers; and
WHEREAS, The organization’s leadership team reflects the racial makeup of its audience as eighty-five percent of the editorial team has diverse immigrant heritage; and
WHEREAS, Having first-hand knowledge of the issues impacting their audience, the FunTimes team is able to provide a culturally nuanced dialogue; and
WHEREAS, FunTimes partners with dozens of public and private community-based organizations and sponsors events which aim to connect marginalized groups within the Diaspora; and
WHEREAS, The magazine also provides invaluable resources to vulnerable minority groups overlooked by mainstream media. These efforts include FunTimes producing its first-ever comprehensive Philadelphia Black Business Directory in 2019 funded by Beech Companies and the City of Philadelphia Commerce Department, working with the U.S. Census Bureau on their 2020 campaign, and compiling businesses, government services and landmarks in Delaware Country in the Upper Darby Township showcase; and
WHEREAS, As an active community member, FunTimes is also involved in COVID-19 public health awareness initiatives in collaboration with WHYY/NPR and Enon Baptist Tabernacle, African/Caribbean Storytelling funded by Independence Public Media Foundation as well as providing internship opportunities for Temple, West Chester, and Drexel University students, partnering with the Gift of Life Donor program and Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and serving as a community engagement partner with Brown ShopRite Superstores for over 10 years; and
WHEREAS, The FunTimes Food Festival will be held on October 29, 2022, at Fresh Grocer on Monument Road in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of FunTimes Magazine. The event will feature community award presentations, live entertainment reflecting African and Caribbean music and presentations by elected officials and special guests; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and celebrates the 30th Anniversary of FunTimes Magazine, a community-driven magazine focused on the African Diaspora.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Eric Nzeribe, Publisher of FunTimes Magazine, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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