Chairman Stan Straughter (r) with fellow Commissioner and community activist Vofee Jabateh, CEO, ACANA

PHILADELPHIA – Former Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street on June 30, 2005 announced the creation of the Commission on African and Immigrant Affairs in partnership with City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, Council’s Majority Leader.

On the eve of Live 8, an international celebration to raise awareness about poverty on the African continent, and in preparation of the 4th of July Holiday, the Mayor’s creation of this Commission reaffirmed to the world Philadelphia ’s historic commitment to tolerance, freedom and democracy.

Philadelphia is home to over 200,000 African and Caribbean immigrants, many who were resettled here by local humanitarian organizations under the Refugee Act of 1980. The first wave of African immigrants under this Act came seeking refuge from the famine and civil war in Ethiopia and other parts of East Africa under the sponsorship of the Nationalities Service Center, Lutheran Children and Family Services, Church World Services Affiliate, Catholic Social Services and the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society.

The impact of political unrest, civil war, and genocide in the 1990’s fostered many new refugees and political asylees from the nations of Liberia, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Congo, Angola, Rwanda, Nigeria, Somalia and the Sudan. Others have come to take advantaged of our excellent colleges and universities or to reunite with family members.

Then Mayor Street took note of this wave of immigration in announcing the Commission’s creation. “This great mass of African immigration to Philadelphia underscores our city’s historic reputation as a symbol of hope to so many people from around the globe, and a place of tolerance, freedom and personal liberty,” he said. “Creating this Commission to address the needs and issues of our growing African immigrant population is the right thing to do, and I’m proud we’re doing so with the significant assistance of Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell.”

Councilwoman Blackwell agreed, saying, “We appreciate the investment that so many of our African and Caribbean immigrants have made toward the revitalization of Philadelphia, especially in recognition of the hardships that they have endured. We look forward to the establishment of the Commission to formalize our relationships and further enrich the diversity of our City. And we thank the Mayor for his foresight and willingness to work with the African immigrant community on these very important issues.”

The Commission is composed of nine members, Chaired by the Honorable Stanley Straughter (the Honorary Consulate of Guinea). Others are Cody Anderson (WURD 900AM), Mjenzi Traylor (Philadelphia Commerce Department), Giordani Jean-Baptiste (Haitian Community/Culture Development Abroad), John Kidane (African Cultural Alliance of North America), Dr. Jude Ihoema (Coalition of African Communities in Philadelphia), Lois Fernandez (ODUNDE), Cheryl McClenney-Brooker (Philadelphia Museum of Art) and Ethel S. Barnett.

The Commission’s main functions will be to encourage the development and implementation of policies and practices intended to improve conditions affecting the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well-being of the African and Caribbean immigrants, refugees, and asylees residing in Philadelphia.

The Commission will also have an Advisory Board composed of Romona Riscoe Benson (The African American Museum in Philadelphia), Dolores Lami Mohammed (Essence International School), Ronald Brown (Philadelphia Juneteenth Coalition), Dr. Lawrence Robinson (Philadelphia Health Department), Honorable Dr. Teta Banks (Honorary Consulate of Liberia), Honorable Dr. Alston B. Meade (Honorary Consulate of Jamaica), Dr. Charles L. Blockson (Charles L. Blockson Afro-Collection at Temple University), and Dr. Nancy Morgan (Bridges International).

The Commission’s main functions will be to encourage the development and implementation of policies and practices intended to improve conditions affecting the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well-being of the African and Caribbean immigrants, refugees, and asylees residing in Philadelphia.