Councilwoman
Blondell Reynolds Brown is dedicated to enriching the lives
of Philadelphia residents by “Putting People First.”
As an educator, community activist, political leader and
concerned parent, her clear focus and commitment to help
others not only defines her past endeavors prior to her
election to Philadelphia City
Council, but also continues to inform her current goals.
This is reflected in her ability to sponsor and gain passage
of legislation that promotes greater access to and the availability
of meaningful opportunities in education, arts and culture,
and small business development.
A sought-after speaker, Councilwoman
Reynolds Brown devotes her programmatic and legislative
efforts toward improving the quality of life for residents
through arts, small business and youth oriented initiatives.
Also, “Women Making A Difference Celebration,”
her adopted signature program held annually in March, showcases
women’s accomplishments and has grown to provide a
platform for supporting issues and organizations that impact
women, children and families.
Accomplishments:
Since assuming office in January 2000, Blondell Reynolds
Brown has worked tirelessly to ensure the passage of legislation
focused on her platform issues:
- Convinced the Phillies
and Eagles, along with Mayor John F. Street, during negotiations
for the new sports stadium, to establish a “Fund
for Children” that specifies that each team contribute
$1 million annually for 30 years.
- Advocated and secured
funding for arts and culture programming in the City budget.
- Fought to ensure the integrity
of the City's "Percent for Art" programs.
- Earned passage of “smart”
bills that have simplified the approval process for childcare
providers, eased the tax burden on new businesses, and
allowed the City to save money by taking advantage of
lower cost procurement contracts.
- Enacted resolutions in
City Council that supported organized labor unions (SEIU
– Janitors and 1199C – Childcare Teachers)
in their efforts to gain fair contracts.
Public Service Positions:
- Legislative Director for
former State Senator Chaka Fattah
- Community Affairs Director
for State Senator Vincent Hughes
- Delegate for the Democratic
National Convention in 1984, 1988, 1996, and 2000
- Committeeperson for the
24th Ward
- Director of Community
Affairs and Fund Development for the Phila. Opportunities
Industrialization Center
- Youth Project Director
for the Philadelphia Urban League
- Director of Pennsylvania
State University’s Philadelphia Recruitment Center
- Elementary School Teacher
Professional/Leadership
Training:
- Completed fellowship in
the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Urban Health
Initiative Program that provided an intensive learning
experience in planning and implementing strategic and
innovative policy system changes for children, youth and
families.
- Graduate of the University
of Pennsylvania’s Community Leadership Program.
- Member of the Charter
Class of the Philadelphia Urban League Leadership Institute.
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education & Master of Science in Education
from Pennsylvania State University
Organizational Affiliations
(current):
- Board Member of The Philadelphia
Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The Pennsylvania
Ballet, The Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust,
The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, The Marian Anderson Award,
The African American Museum of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
Young Playwrights, and The Greater Philadelphia Cultural
Alliance.
- Member of the Philadelphia
Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a
public service organization, and Pinn Memorial Baptist
Church in West Philadelphia.
- 2nd Vice Chair of the
Black Elected Officials of Philadelphia
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown
resides in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield section with
her husband, Howard A. Brown, and their children, Andrew
and Brielle.
“The secret of leadership
is to think of your position as an opportunity to serve,
not as a trumpet call to self-importance.”
J. Donald Walters
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