PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Local political leaders helped announce plans Wednesday for a new community development project in Southwest Philadelphia called Africatown. Pennsylvania senators Vincent Hughes and Anthony Hardy Williams presented the African Culture Alliance of North America, or ACANA, a $1.8 million check on behalf of the commonwealth to help fund it.
Voffee Jabadah, with ACANA says this is a historic moment for “what we call a piece of America that is totally owned by the African diaspora people.”
The vision of Africatown is a healthy and safe community rising out of one of the most economically depressed communities in the city. The goal is to eliminate poverty by developing affordable housing, building grocery stores, supporting small businesses and creating job opportunities for residents.
It is an “integrated economy,” said Hughes — “housing, shopping — but with an African sensibility.”
Williams describes Africatown as a cultural destination that will celebrate and reflect the identities of the African diaspora. He said he hopes the financial support, from American Rescue Plan funds, will translate into real growth for the southwest Philadelphia community and the entire city.
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“This is one of the largest areas, concentrations, of Africans in the entire state — certainly on the East Coast,” he said.
“Also it’s a statement about how we make sure to support those who are here.”
The foundation of the Africatown initiative is the African and Caribbean immigrant communities and others who have been contributing to the development of commercial corridors in the neighborhood for decades. In a sense, it is meant to enshrine a vibrant community that is already there.
The ultimate goal for Africatown is to become a tourist destination, centering around Chester Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, that celebrates and reflects the identities of the African diaspora.
“For everybody else, they’ve had an area of America they call their own,” Jabatah said, stressing the historic and emotional impact of the project.
And now, he said, “This is our own.”