PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — If you find yourself walking in Philadelphia’s Gayborhood, you may notice a new street sign.
Michael S. Hinson, Jr. Way now sits at the intersection of 12th and Chestnut streets. More than 100 people, including family, friends, and city and state officials, gathered on Juneteenth at an unveiling ceremony honoring Hinson — one of the first people in the city to lead strategies within Black and brown communities in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
Chris Bartlett, executive director of the William Way LGBT Community Center, was a close friend and colleague of Hinson and says the honor is well deserved.
“He was a courageous man. He made a difference in the Black community, the LGBTQ community, and the city as a whole,” Bartlett said. “...He believed we should all be free and live as vibrant lives as possible.”
Dana Robinson, another long-time friend of Hinson, relished in what he called Hinson’s moment to shine.
“Michael was one of the realest people I know. Just an all-around good friend. I’m tearing up just thinking about it, so I really appreciate this is happening,” Robinson said.
In 1991, Hinson founded COLOURS, a nonprofit service organization, to support and empower LGBTQ people of color in Greater Philadelphia. From that work, Philly Black Pride emerged in 1999. Former Mayor John Street hired Hinson as his liaison to LGBTQ communities in 2000, and the position evolved into a highly respected post within city government.
Before he died in 2022, Hinson advocated for people experiencing homelessness as CEO of nonprofit SELF, Inc., Philadelphia’s largest provider of emergency and transitional housing.