Black History Month is upon us. And there’s no shortage of it in a historically Black neighborhood that keeps adding to its legacy daily.

This year, the Germantown Info Hub honors the month of observance by uplifting 24 Black neighbors who heighten our imaginations and help create change across four themes: mentorship, arts & culture, organizers, and entrepreneurs. 

Every Monday throughout February, we’ll drop six names per theme. 

“Neighbors,” to us, are defined as folks with a direct connection to the neighborhood. Think natives who may no longer reside here, business owners, workers and laborers, longtime transplants, former residents who were transplants, and more.

First up are our mentors throughout Germantown, who lend their experience and expertise to build community and spark change within and beyond our community.

Dr. Victoria Best

• Title: CEO Victoria Urban Outreach Tutoring Services (VUOTS) and Owner of Victoria Tutoring’s Services

• Other affiliation: Society to Preserve Philadelphia African American Assets

• Why we chose her: Victoria Best is a neighborhood success story, as chronicled in our prior reporting, transforming her experiences in foster care into empowerment by providing youth educational support. Best has also worked to raise historical awareness through her work with SPPAAA, where she is now the acting President, in the wake of the passing of our Germantown neighbor, Deborah Gary. Best continues to blend literacy and history to uplift and empower communities for the better.

• On the horizon: Mentoring through civic engagement in Philly schools, producing a VUOTS Black History Activity Book for youth, and continued adult education classes at Historic Germantown.

Bryana Crump

• Title: Literacy Director

• Affiliation: Mighty Writers Germantown

• Why we chose her: Mighty Writers Germantown came to the neighborhood two years ago. Between then and now, Crump and the Mighty Writers team have helped establish the literacy hub as a beacon of creativity and empowerment for youth of all ages in Germantown and beyond. Whether it’s their Girl Power writing, Radical Playdates, or Mighty Brotherhood workshops, MW’s doors are always open for young people to think clearly and write with clarity.

• On the horizon: Robotics program, Girl Power Program, Mighty Comics (students create their own comic), Teen-ish (an open forum for teens to talk about their issues), Teen Fellowship (to help build resume and creative skills), Mighty Tots (playdates for young folks), Mighty Buddies program (reading mentorship program), and more.

Evin Jarrett

• Title: Teacher and Instructor

• Affiliation: @mrjarrett_constructiontech & The Dope Student Podcast

• Why we chose him: Some people leave Germantown, but Germantown never leaves them. And that’s the case for Evin Jarrett, also coined the “Dope Teacher.” Jarrett teaches the trades (construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, etc) to students at Mayfair Elementary School in Northeast Philly and also does mobile courses with his Dope Teacher Mobile RV. As a supplement to his students, he supports them in creating the Dope Student Podcast, which interviews different adults about their careers. You can always see what the students are up to on the Instagram account.

• On the horizon: Plans to raise the roof on the Dope Teacher Mobile during the summer as a project with the youth.

Gene Pogh

• Title: Executive Director

• Affiliation: Philadelphia Youth Football Academy

• Why we chose him: Pogh has devoted himself to his organization, where he has established a football program for kids ages 6-14 who want to learn the game and get a chance to compete all across the city. For him, it’s also bigger than football, as character growth and setting up future success are central points of emphasis for his players. By also providing mentorship sessions and potential field trips in 2025, he wants to educate kids on all their college options and careers and how they can navigate them further.

• On the horizon: PYFA currently holds strength and conditioning training and practice at Roosevelt Elementary School. They will transition back to Waterview Recreation or a nearby recreation center for Spring and Summer programming.

Carrinnia Woodson & Vinina Williams

• Title: Co-Founders & Directors

• Affiliation: TeenTrek

• Why we chose them: Through TeenTrek, Woodson and Williams aim to teach youth essential life skills. Whether it’s courses in culinary arts, finance, health and wellness, or through interactive field trips, the organization has steadily grown to teach skills and instill values into the youth while partnering with organizations such as Chase Bank, the American Red Cross, and more, to provide hands-on learning. 

• On the horizon: Expanding programming at TeenTrek (focusing on leadership, social-emotional learning, and practice life skills), workshops on financial literacy, effective communication and decision-making, and strengthening and growing community partnerships.

Men Who Care

• Affiliated members: Joe H. Budd Jr., Clayton M. Justice, Awy T. Reid, Benjamin Reid, Keith Pate, Keith Brown, George Waters, and Gregory Richardson

• Why we chose them: This group was too good to pick just one. As outlined in one of our latest, these community pillars extend themselves as a “labor of love.” This group does many things around the neighborhood to show they care, including food distributions and frequent community events. However, their dedication to youth stands out the most. Through weekly “Real Talk” chats with Germantown & East Mt. Airy high school students, these mentors instill grit, integrity, and wisdom in youth. Alongside these chats, they also host formalwear giveaways for the students.

• On the horizon: Continued “Real Talks” and community events, including food distributions on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 180 E. Tulpehocken Street.