Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson Newsletter September 2020

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COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE Office of Katherine Gilmore Richardson Councilmember At-Large | City Hall Room 581 | (215) 686-0454 Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson

@councilmemberKGR

@CouncilwomanKGR

September 2020 Newsletter

NINE MONTHS IN: WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

The past nine months have been unprecedented, and while I expected being an elected public servant to come with a wide range of both challenges and opportunities, I never anticipated a global health pandemic, civil unrest, and an economic depression all at once. On Inauguration Day, I knew we had serious challenges to address: the highest poverty rate, educational opportunities, gun violence, impacts of climate change, and so much more, but the onset of Covid-19 and the murder of George Floyd brought the disparities in our City into crystal clear focus. Generations of Black and Brown Americans have been disregarded, discriminated against, and disinvested in. And Philly is not immune. We are working to create a new normal in the City of Sisterly Love. One where every life, every neighborhood, every school, every business is valued. If there is one thing I’ve taken away from my first City Council session, it’s that in the face of overwhelming adversity, we can band together, work hard, and make change. We can listen and learn from our constituents and move us closer to the City we all want to be. We journey on!

Katherine Gilmore Richardson

IN THIS ISSUE

• Letter from the Councilwoman • News • Legislative Updates

Scan here to read online!

• Constituent Services • Community Resources • Events


Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Office Manager, Taylor Daukaus

Administrative Assistant, Venita Green

Special Assistant, James Barkley

Communications Director, Eliza Alford

Budget Analyst/Community Affairs, Dornell Burrell

Constituent Services Director, Beth Strain Berry


Taylor Daukaus, Beth Strain Berry & Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Councilmembers Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Isaiah Thomas, Kendra Brooks, Jamie Gauthier, Rep. Roni Green, Pat Eiding

Jeff Guarcino & Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson


SUPPORTING BLACK LIVES IN PHILADELPHIA Since the murder of George Floyd on May 25, our country has risen up to demand an end to the structural racism and systemic oppression that has held back Black Americans for generations.

As the youngest Black woman ever elected to an at-large seat on City Council, I am committed to bringing about change.

L to R: Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas, Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Maria QuiĂąones SĂĄnchez and Cherelle Parker

During our spring session, we addressed the economic and health disparities highlighted by Covid-19 through the New Normal Budget Act, a $25 million investment in eradicating health and educational disparities, poverty, and food access. We also addressed the overwhelming calls for police reform. I joined with my colleagues at the City and State levels in the Police Reform Working Group, which released a platform of solutions to change our system of public safety. As part of that initiative, I introduced a bill which would require a public hearing before the Administration can propose a new contract to the Fraternal Order of Police. If passed, this bill would ensure, for the first time ever, that the voice of the people is heard as part of this process. I also co-sponsored bills to ban chokeholds, to create a Citizen Police Oversight Commission, to ban stop-and-frisk, and to re-establish a residency requirement for PPD officers. These are all just the beginning of the reforms we will be bringing to this City. If you have more ideas, sign up for my Office Hours to share them with me.


Rates of Covid-19 infection in the City's most segregated (predominately Black) zip codes were 23% higher than the least segregated (predominately white) zip codes and 2 times higher than the citywide average.

WORKING MOMS GET THE JOB DONE One of the hardest parts of Covid-19 has been balancing work and parenting. Closing schools and child care centers meant that we all had to change our routines and balance new responsibilities. And for our essential workers, this was an even bigger challenge. I know that it was especially hard for me to manage work and time with my three children over the past few months, and by the end of the day, we are all just exhausted. If you're a working mom, please know that I see you and recognize your challenges, and I am working very hard to make sure your needs are met as we continue to deal with Covid-19.

Me with Dr. Ala Stanford, founder of the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium

STOPPING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19

Covid-19 has infected over 34,000 Philadelphians since March and taken the lives of over 1,700 people. Its impact has been particularly devastating to Black and brown communities. Research by Dr. Sharelle Barber of Drexel University found that rates of Covid-19 infection in the City's most segregated (predominately Black) zip codes were 23% higher than the least segregated (predominately white) zip codes and 2 times higher than the citywide average. When I learned about the work of Dr. Ala Stanford (pictured above) and the Black Doctors Covid-19 Consortium, I led my colleagues to submit a letter to Mayor Kenney to advocate for funding for their work. The Consortium received the first contract for testing and contact tracing in the City in June.

Me with my daughter, Katherine, during our first budget hearing


POP-UP PANTRIES DISTRIBUTE OVER HALF A MILLION POUNDS OF FRESH FOOD AND COUNTING...

From L to R: Rep. Morgan Cephas, Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson, Sarah DeGeorge,Crystal Morris, and Frances Conwell

Starting in mid-May, my office, in partnership with Share Food Program and the Offices of Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. State Senators Vincent Hughes and Sharif Street, and State Representatives Donna Bullock and Morgan Cephas, have held two fresh food pantries every week. The Wednesday pantry is held in Wynnefield at St. Barbara's Church with the Wynnefield Resident's Association. The Thursday pantry is held at Edward Gideon School in North Philly. Both pantries will continue every week through October.

Since the pandemic started, they have distributed 4 million pounds of food each month to ensure no one goes hungry.

THANK YOU SHARE FOOD PROGRAM The Share Food Program has always worked hard to ensure that those in need of fresh, healthy food in Philadelphia do not go hungry, but since the onset of Covid-19, they kicked their response into overdrive. Under the leadership of Executive Director George Matysik and Director of Emergency Response Steve Preston, Share Food Program staff and volunteers have been working 7 days a week to accept deliveries, pack boxes, load trucks, and distribute food. It is truly a non-stop operation. Since the pandemic started, they have distributed 4 million pounds of food each month to ensure no one goes hungry. Thank you so much to the Share Food Program and all its staff and volunteers!


As of June 25, 2020


As of June 25, 2020



- 350 PHILLY

- NEIGHBORS AGAISNT GAS PLANT

- 500 WOMEN SCIENTISTS

- NW PHILLY CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK

- 5TH SQUARE

- OVERBROOK ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

- A SMART COLLABORATION, LLC

- PENN ENVIRONMENT

- AARP PENNSYLVANIA

- PENN FUTURE

- ALL TOGETHER NOW PA

- PENN URBAN HEALTH

- ASOCIACION PUERTORRIQUEÑOS EN MARCHA

- PHILADELPHIA HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

- BENNETT COMPOST

- PHILADELPHIA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORP.

- BICYCLE COALITION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA

- PHILADELPHIA ORCHARD PROJECT

- CARRIAGE HORSE FREEDOM

- PHILLY CLIMATE WORKS

- CLEAN AIR COUNCIL

- PHILLY THRIVE

- CLEAN WATER ACTION

- PHILLY TRANSIT RIDERS UNION

- CLIMATE DADS

- PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

- CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT

- POWER INTERFAITH

- COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES

- RECLAIM PHILADELPHIA

- CONSERVATION VOTERS OF PA

- RIDE TO WORK

- DREXEL ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

- SEPTA YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

- DREXEL’S CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

- SIERRA CLUB OUTDOORS

- EASTWICK FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS COALITION

- PHILADELPHIA SUNRISE MOVEMENT

- EBONY SUNS ENTERPRISES, LLC

- PHILADELPHIA SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK

- ENERGY JUSTICE NETWORK

- THE NATURE CONSERVANCY

- FAIRMOUNT PARK CONSERVANCY

- THE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW CENTER

- GREEN BEAMS LLC

- TOXIC FREE PHILLY

- GREEN BUILDING UNITED

- TRANSIT FORWARD PHILADELPHIA

- KEYSTONE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ALLIANCE

- TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

- LANDHEALTH INSTITUTE

- TTF WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP

- LINDY INSTITUTE FOR URBAN INNOVATION

- WYNCOTE AUDUBON SOCIETY

- LION ADVISORS






COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

The Disadvantaged Communities Task Force hosted by Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas & Katherine Gilmore Richardson

The Disadvantaged Communities Task Force hosted by Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas & Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Art & Culture Organization

Small Business

Moderated by Council Member Isaiah Thomas & Council Member Kendra Brooks

Moderated by Council Member Derek Green

Tuesday, September 15 at 6PM

Thursday, September 17 at 6PM

Please join The City Council of Philadelphia for an open dialogue around the City's COVID-19 Response. We want to hear from you about how we can support our communities during these uncertain times

Please join The City Council of Philadelphia for an open dialogue around the City's COVID-19 Response. We want to hear from you about how we can support our communities during these uncertain times

Meeting via Zoom For details, RSVP to DCT@phila.gov

Meeting via Zoom For details, RSVP to DCT@phila.gov

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

The Disadvantaged Communities Task Force hosted by Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas & Katherine Gilmore Richardson

The Disadvantaged Communities Task Force hosted by Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas & Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Black Health Experts & Social Workers

6th District Town Hall

Moderated by Council Member Katherine Gilmore Richardson

Moderated by Council Member Bobby Henon

Wednesday, September 23 at 6PM

Monday, September 28 at 6PM

Please join The City Council of Philadelphia for an open dialogue around the City's COVID-19 Response. We want to hear from you about how we can support our communities during these uncertain times

Please join The City Council of Philadelphia for an open dialogue around the City's COVID-19 Response. We want to hear from you about how we can support our communities during these uncertain times

Meeting via Zoom For details, RSVP to DCT@phila.gov

Meeting via Zoom For details, RSVP to DCT@phila.gov


Office of Katherine Gilmore Richardson Councilmember At-Large | City Hall Room 581 | (215) 686-0454

Scan here to read online!

Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson @CouncilmemberKGR @CouncilwomanKGR


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