PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Welcome America and several nonpartisan organizations came together to kick off their “Celebrate Philadelphia” block party series in West Philly on Saturday. Community members got to indulge in free food, games and voter registration all at once.
Visitors walked up to the blocked-off stretch at 40th and Market streets, and their curiosity led them to play games with neighbors, ride a mechanical bull, do a little line dancing and support local makers and vendors — all in the name of civic engagement.
When We All Vote helped bring the block party series to life, and as Executive Director Beth Lynk says, they hope to bring positivity to the polls.
“We're encouraging people to celebrate the process and bring joy and energy,” said Lynk. “And what we know is, when we as a community come together, action happens — and ultimately, we can build a better future, a brighter future for ourselves, for our families, for our friends.”
The block party also featured on-site voter registration and early voting at the new satellite election office on 40th and Preston streets.
Pennsylvania State Rep. Amen Brown, a Democrat who represents the 10th District, says he hopes the block party series can increase early voter turnout.
“We're like: Hey, you're here for this, but guess what you could do right across the street,” he said. “I know that we're driving up the numbers here on Market Street. And I'm hoping that we can partner with other communities to make sure that those voting early voting center sites do their thing.”
Mabel, while waiting in line for an airbrushed cowboy hat, said she enjoys seeing her community engaged in a good thing.
“Any type of nice event to help the people come out and vote will help, and more people will start voting and voting and voting, and it will be a good thing for the country and for our environment and everything.”
State Rep.Morgan Cephas, Democrat of the 192th District in Overbrook, called the event is a creative way to get people involved.
“Who doesn't love a good block party here in the city of Philadelphia?” Cephas said.
“You know, I really hope that people just look at this again as an opportunity to just get engaged. … The main goal is just to get people out and get to their voting location.”
Chelsea Cox, executive director of A Seat At The Table Foundation, says her organization is partnering with the block party series to organize public forums, like a panel discussion at Saturday’s event featuring young social media influencers.
“I think they need to walk away with an understanding that it's coming,” Cox said. “Getting their voice heard is the most important thing that they should be doing and focusing on right now, and one vote essentially can drive an election.”
Connor King, a popular comedian from West Philly, spoke on the panel, saying he hopes people can release their fears about their political opinions.
“I think it is important to make people feel accepted, no matter what their beliefs are,” King said. “Because, like I've said before, people are afraid to share their beliefs, and we can't get an honest reflection of this country unless we get an honest reflection of what everyone thinks and how everybody votes.”
Other panelists included Kamryn Davis, the Philly regional director of PA Youth Vote; Senzwa Ntshepe; and Saudiah B, a popular local influencer who boasts 150K followers on Instagram.
Saudiah joined the panel because she believes in using her platform in important ways.
“I said yes immediately. … A lot of people just wanna have followers and they just want to have influence. But it's like, what are you doing with it?”