LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

Hey, Philly!

This is Danielle Smith, Resolve Philly’s Editorial Director of Community News, and Rasheed Ajamu, Editor of Germantown Info Hub. Together with our colleagues and Resolve’s Info Hub Captains, we’re delighted to bring you the 6th edition of the Equally Informed Community Newsletter. Part of our goal for the newsletter is to elevate underrepresented voices and share stories of people working together to effect positive change. As a community-centered newsroom, we’re fortunate to meet folks who are doing this work all the time, providing ample inspiration toward that goal. But for this edition, we decided to focus specifically on block captains and the unique role that they play in keeping us informed, connected, and engaged.

Block captains’ work takes many forms, and yet, at times, that work feels as undefinable as it is essential. There’s no formal playbook for how to be a block captain, no public list for them to reach out to each other with questions and support, and no term limits or succession plans to determine when and how they should pass the torch. Despite some of these challenges, they still find ways to keep their neighborhoods safer, bridge intergenerational divides, and foster a sense of unity.

Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration has recently brought renewed attention to the program. Her campaign pledge to make Philadelphia the “safest, cleanest, greenest big city” in America has been followed up by the announcement of a 38-member Clean and Green cabinet and a 13-week block cleaning initiative to be completed during the summer of 2024. At the annual block captain rally held by the Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee, she reiterated her pledge and asked block captains to help her get it done.

While those we spoke to are eager to help, they’re also honest about some of the barriers faced in trying to do so. We hope their stories motivate more Philadelphians to join their efforts, which can be as simple as moving a package from a neighbor’s stoop inside the screen door or asking if anyone needs something from the store. These simple actions build community and community fuels connection.

In Community,

Danielle and Rasheed