After returning to school later in life, Aminata Sy, went all in. She began by pursuing a career in journalism. That led to her writing for publications such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune and The Daily Pennsylvanian. Her stories focused on the African-American and African immigrant experience. In 2016, Sy interned at Philadelphia City Hall and wrote talking points for the mayor.
Dr. Akosua Ali-Sabree is a multifaceted leader who has built a successful wholistic health and wellness business. Dr. Ali-Sabree is president and chief executive officer of the Kuumba Family Institute, Inc., an organization that seeks to uplift the community by providing resources, vocational training, cultural, education and holistic health and wellness programs.
Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell is a seven-term representative of the 3rd District in the City Council of Philadelphia. She was elected to City Council in an historic election that saw her husband elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, the late Congressman Lucien E. Blackwell, on the same day that she was elected to City Council
Celebrating Philadelphia Region’s Women Of Influence
Sheikh Siddique is the first immigrant and Asian American councilman in the history of Upper Darby. He was honored to be a part of a township that thrives on diversity and unity. He prides himself on representing a multicultural, multilanguage, multinational city.
Since 2013, Dr. Sekela Coles has served as Councilwoman for the 7th District of Upper Darby. As the only African American elected to the council, Coles is a testament to the possibilities of greatness and growth in the growing Upper Darby community
Dr. Carolina Baltazar Harris is president of the African Caribbean and Afro-Caribbean Latin American Descent- PAC. The ACACLAD-PAC is a network of change-makers of African and Caribbean descent who use their coalition to voice and resolve concerns that affect their communities. As a pioneer of social change, she leads the group in helping Afro-Caribbean communities have a stronger voice and better resources in Upper Darby and Yeadon communities
From 2011, the Honorable Margo L. Davidson has proudly served as a Democratic Member of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Davidson was elected Chair of the powerful SE Delegation that spans 8 counties & 35 members outside of Philadelphia which played a major role to bringing PA House Democratic leadership back to the region resulting in the election of Hon. Jordan Harris as Whip & Hon. JoAnna McClinton as Caucus Chair.
Under the leadership of Portia Kamara and the MCFS board of directors, MCFS began the provision of culturally targeted and interconnected advocacy, educational, social, prevention, health and recreation support services aimed at bridging the cultural, linguistic and communication gaps faced by Liberians and other African/Caribbean immigrants and empowering them to succeed in their resettled community.
Upper Darby was a community built in the 1600s through the influx of immigrants settling in the area. Tom Judge and former Mayor Raymond Shay took note of their community’s history of immigrants and brainstormed ways to engage their new community members into feeling welcome.
