Beyond Brooklyn 

Philadelphia, City of Firsts

The City of Brotherly Love ended and started the year with some historic Sisterly firsts.  Cherelle Parker is now Philly’s 100th Mayor.  Sworn in on January 2, Mayor Parker is the first woman in the history of the city to serve in this capacity.

And, as if to herald Mayor Parker’s coming, Maisha Sullivan Ongoza is seen standing proud with the nearly 11-foot tall Kinara, in the southwest corner of Philadelphia’s City Hall.  She was one of the activists who inspired the idea for the Kwanzaa Kinara to be on display in celebration of Kwanzaa, December 26 to January 1.  Councilmember Kendra Brooks (at-large) introduced this first official display by the City of Philadelphia.  The sculpture is an original piece of artwork created by Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza of the Kwanzaa Cooperative.