PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Eleven community proposals have made the cut as so-called “legacy projects” for the city’s commemoration of America’s 250th birthday.
Philadelphia250, the nonprofit organizing the local celebration of the 2026 semiquincentennial, announced the semifinalists at a ceremony Tuesday at Smith Playground in Fairmount Park.
“We’re looking at projects that might have more of an impact on the social or civic fabric of a neighborhood,” said Danielle DiLeo Kim, Philadelphia250’s executive director.
Between February and May, Philadelphia250 accepted proposals for community initiatives that would strengthen the bonds among the city’s diverse residents. Narrowing the list to eleven was difficult, said Erike De Veyra, director for Philadelphia250’s Leave a Legacy project.
“It was a tough choice. We had 77 full submissions. And each and every idea was going to make an impact to the city,” De Veyra said. “We have quite the range. Whether it’s impacting youth, whether it’s impacting our culture, and really just thinking about how we can make a difference and leave a legacy past 2026.”
Among the eleven winners is a proposal for a cultural center to teach the history of Native American people in Philadelphia, submitted by Tammy Walking Stick Riley.
“We’ve decided that it’s time for us to be seen, because a lot of people think that we don’t exist," said Riley. "They think we’re invisible. They don’t know that Native Americans come in all shapes and sizes and colors and tribes and cultures. We need the history to be taught. Philadelphia has a huge history of indigenous cultures. So it needs to be taught so that people don’t forget.”
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“Frankly for the 250th, we have to acknowledge the indigenous people and Native Americans in our country and understand that they were here for thousands and thousands of years prior to anyone else, quote-unquote, ‘founding’ this country,” DiLeo Kim said.
Each of the winners is to receive $11,000 in seed money to advance their ideas before approximately four finalists are named in December.
“They’re using that money to invest in developing their project,” said DiLeo Kim. “Then in 2023 when we know what the final projects are, we’ll provide project management services. We will assist in being able to promote and help fundraise for them. Each team is responsible for implementing their project.”
The eleven semifinalists are:
— The Bicycle Coalition of Philadelphia is proposing to bring bicycles to underinvested communities in North and Northeast Philadelphia, and launch a mobile bike hub
— HealthTribe Student Network seeks to connect students to healthcare professionals as mentors
— Our Market plans to deliver a multi-year art project to tell the stories of cultural and commercial corridors, such as the 9th Street Market in South Philadelphia
— Philadelphia Music Alliance proposes a mobile music museum connected by a heritage trail
— Red Feather’s Legacy seeks to reestablish a cultural center to promote the history of Native American/Indigenous People
— Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse wants to teach children about cultural heroes through playful experiences
— Special Olympics Pennsylvania plans to advance its Cities of Inclusion initiative, helping disabled Philadelphians to secure housing, jobs and healthcare.
— The Miyanda Project aims to provide supplemental school counseling to Philadelphia students
— The West Philly Bunny Hop provides free, healthy food to families
— Why Not Prosper, Inc. helps formerly incarcerated women through outreach and education
— Writers Room at Drexel University’s Second Story Collective allows older people who are in financial danger of losing their homes to share their homes with younger people.
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