Title
Recognizing and honoring Sid Booker, by renaming the 4600 block of North Broad Street "Sid Booker Way," to credit the life of the businessman he is today with the legacy that will forever live on.
Body
WHEREAS, As one of the first black families to live in the Tacony section of Northeast Philadelphia in the 1940s, at the young age of 5 Sid Booker would wake up early in the morning to collect bottles in his wagon for money that he would give to his mother to help the family; and
WHEREAS, In his early teens he would clean the Merben and Mayfair movie theaters, then eventually made it to Broad Street where he would remain; and
WHEREAS, After he took over the Uptown as General Manager in his early 20s, Mr. Booker worked with the late Georgie Woods, who was responsible for bringing legendary entertainers to the city such as The Jackson 5, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pitts, Marven Gaye and countless others; and
WHEREAS, As the General Manager Mr. Booker ensured the show went on without a hitch, was a stickler for details, and always maintained a professional persona which earned him not only respect from most entertainers but also created life-long friendships with them as well; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 23 Mr. Booker had a keen eye for business and purchased a tavern located on North Broad Street and named it, "Highline" where performers and audiences would head to after show nights; and
WHEREAS, From that very corner Mr. Booker has provided a steppingstone to some of Philadelphia's legendary musicians and entertainers, such as Kenny Gamble, McFadden & Whitehead, The Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass, and The Blue Notes to name a few; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Booker changed the name of the tavern to, "Side Booker's Stinger Lapointe" in the 80s where it would be, "Philly's home of the birthday parties", and in the 90s continued to entertain with nights such as, "Thursday's Gary Shepherd Karaoke Open Mic Night" where personalities like Kevin Hart and Gilly Da ...
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