On this page you'll be able to find links to the latest news and information involving my office. Be sure to check back often to see what's new!

The meaning of mentors
"The long-time goal will be for women of different strengths and different interests to connect. I am eternally grateful for the mentorship I got [from men]. But there's an added dimension coming from women,"states Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
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Council Questions DHS on Kelly Case
At-Large City Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown asked DHS Commissioner Anne Marie Ambrose if a series of recommendations from the child welfare review panel had yet been implemented. “Can you identify visible changes as a result of the Danieal Kelly case? The report clearly indicated there was a breakdown in the system,” said Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. read more>>

Celebrating Women and Their Accomplishments
“If you’re a mother or a mentor of a young lady, than this event is going to be for you. If you are a young woman early and ambitious in your career or if you’re someone who’s established and doing what I call the juggle — you know, walking on a tightrope backwards and with high heels on, blindfolded and trying to get it right — than this conference is going to be for you. We’re throwing the net a lot wider. We’re going to empower the potential of girls, the promise of rising stars and the power of women,” states Councilwoman Reynolds Brown. read more>>

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Verizon hosts VIP reception honoring the “Next Generation of Leadership: Rising Stars.” read more>>

Council Members Call on Government To Take Action Against CVS
"Children and families in the 21st Century should not and can not be exposed to outdated goods when it is preventable. We believe that CVS, and all retailers for that matter, need to be responsible corporate citizens and ensure that what they are selling are not expired and potentially dangerous items," stated Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.

Letters: Why We Need Menu Labeling
I've long been concerned about obesity in America, most especially of children. That's why I was so pleased to read the editorial "How Our Government Is Making Us Fat." read more>>

Tax Abatements for Green Building
Council members Blondell Reynolds Brown and Curtis Jones Jr. co-sponsored and introduced a bill that will “green” the current ten year tax abatement on all new and rehabilitated residential and rehabilitated commercial properties. Applicants under the new system will receive property tax abatements proportional to achieving one of the four LEED Green Building certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. read more>>

Third Time’s A Charm for Spelling Champ
	Spelling Bee Judges Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown and Joyce R. Williams along with assistant Tunisia Meek of the Philadelphia Tribune join winner Sowsan Salaam, center, the champion of the 2009 Philadelphia Tribune Scripps Howard Regional Spelling Bee.  read more>>

Seven Secrets on How to Study
Do you want to know how your child can have a rewarding experience in their school? Research shows that there is a direct connection between the level of involvement by parents in the academic life of their child and their grades. So, get involved in your son/daughters education and teach them the value of good study habits. You would be amazed at how much your child’s grades could improve if the just did homework right after getting home from school. read more>>

2nd Annual Music Conference
	(l-r) Councilwoman Reynolds Brown and Cathy Hughes, Pres. of Radio One		(l-r) Councilwoman Reynolds Brown presents citation to musical R & B, group Boys II Men.
Radio One Philadelphia hosted conference at the Philadelphia Marriott. Celebrities, including Jamie Foxx, Teddy Pendergrass, Brandy, Common, Yolanda Adams, Jazmine Sullivan, Patti LaBelle and others, were on hand to give advice on how to break into the music and entertainment industry.  read more>>

City Council approves Fairmount Park Takeover
Councilman Darrell L. Clarke and Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, who have been pushing a city takeover of Fairmount Park since 2004, finally won approval of a ballot initiative slated for November.If voters approve it, the Fairmount Park Commission, would cease to exist. Fairmount Park would fuse with the city's Recreation Department. read more>

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation to Create New Provisions for Licenses for Day Care providers in Philadelphia
“Now Philadelphia is opening the doors even wider for monitoring the operations of facilities we rely upon to observe our children, in a non-burden some way for day care providers to operate their business,” said Reynolds Brown. read more>

Reinventing The Wheel
With plenty of people already using bikes, the proposed bike-share program would allow those who aren’t owners of two-wheelers a convenient way to rent one for any increment of time at a low cost. A resolution was passed in City Council by At-Large Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown calling for a public hearing on Bike Sharing in Philadelphia. read more>

Philadelphia, First City in Nation to Pass a Law Requiring Informed Consent
After a four-year battle, City Council passed Councilwoman Reynolds Brown's bill mandating that dentists distribute a patient brochure disclosing the dangers
of silver/amalgam fillings, that they are 50% mercury. "All populations should be aware of the potential health hazards of amalgam. The brochure will give all patients pertinent information to make informed choices," stated Reynolds Brown. read more>

City Council Passes Legislation, Sponsored by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown to Create a Professional Certification for Tour Operators. read more>

Wheels start turning on bike-sharing concept
City officials yesterday embraced the concept of bicycle sharing as a way to reduce traffic and pollution, but said many questions must be answered before Philadelphia becomes the first U.S. city to institute public pedaling on a large scale. read more>

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation to Create New Provisions for Business Privilege Licenses in Philadelphia
The measure will change the business privilege license creating an annual license and eliminating the temporary license. This is an effort to acknowledge the bureaucratic and costs placed on small business, in particular artists and entrepreneurs, stated Reynolds Brown. read more>

Dell East Shows Will Go On
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, Chair of the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said that she had had a private conversation with Mayor Nutter who assured her that the series would find a home. read more>

The Philadelphia Youth Commission Presented by the Philadelphia Youth Commission Working Group on the May 15th primary election in Philadelphia, the Youth Commission was created by Philadelphia Voters. The Youth Commission began service on January 1, 2008. read more>

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown Supports Going Green
Oridance of Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design in Construction of Buildings. read more>

Calling on the Committee on the Environment and the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to hold joint hearings on adopting a Green Job Corps. read more>

April 3, 2008, City Council unanimously approved a bill introducted by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown that will institute a professional licensing process for Philadelphia tour guides, mandating that they test at 70 percent or better if they plan on declaiming publicly about the Founding Fathers.
read more>

Philadelphians Have A Right To Know
by Blondell Reynolds Brown
Most of us (two-thirds, in fact) struggle with our weight—and at the same time we are eating at restaurants more frequently. To allow Philadelphians to make informed choices, I have introduced a bill in the Philadelphia City Council which would require fast-food and other chain restaurants to list calories (and other important nutrition information) on menus and menu boards. read more>

Councilwoman Honors Influential Philadelphia Women
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown says that she has reached a milestone. It's been a decade since she made a promise to celebrate and honor women throughout the city for their work in the community and in business. read more>

Get ready for a fight over calorie counts on menus
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a bill — now in committee — that would require any business with more than 10 restaurants nationwide to list calories on its menus or selection boards. read more>

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation to Lower Cost of Business-Privilege License read more>

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation for City Council to Discuss a Bike-Share Program, Philadelphia’s Creative Economy, and Drop-Out Rate read more>

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown Sponsors Resolution to Establish the Special Committee on Gender Parity and Working Women in City Council. Reynolds Brown stated, “Philadelphia needs to become a premiere city for women seeking to engage themselves not only in the field of business, but in all walks of life.” read more>

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown to Protect Minors from Fund-Raising in the Streets
The City Council passed legislation introduced by Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, to prohibit children from fund-raising in the streets. “Too often children are in the middle of street knocking on car windows, I am not opposed to them being opportunistic but they are in harm’s way. I am in the business of providing safety for children. I will feel much more comfortable knowing officers will add this to their detail.” read more>

Resolution Calling For Automated External Defilibrators for Recreation Centers throughout the City of Philadelphia read more>

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation to Create a Professional Certification for Tour Operators, Require Dentists to Install Amalgam Separators, & Make City Buildings Silver-LEED Certified. read more>

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown Introduces Legislation for a Bike-Share Program, Philadelphia’s Creative Economy, and Drop-Out Rate. read more>

Legislation Passed To Disclose Mercury in “Silver” Dental Fillings
Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced bill (#040904) introduced addressing the unforeseen side of “silver dental fillings.” The bill is about the right to know, mercury is toxic, and consumers being aware of their dental options. Dental fillings are in fact 50% mercury, and are a source of mercury pollution in Philadelphia’s water. “Consumers have the right to know that silver fillings aren’t silver-they are mainly mercury, and non-toxic alternatives like resin should be considered,” Reynolds Brown stated. read more>

In The News 2007

Inquiry sought in racial incident involving noose
December 13, 2007, Paul Solomon, who tearfully testified in front of City Council last week that "his standard of living is diminishing" because of the incident, can't fight for himself, so Williams and other black leaders and elected officials in Philadelphia will try to do it for him. "People need to know that that type of crime is equal to the type of crimes the district attorney should investigate. The offender has a job someplace else, and the victim is out of work and can't take care of his family," says Councilwoman Reynolds Brown." read more>

CHOICE to honor Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown
November 12, 2007, Concern for Healthcare Options: Information, Care and Education (CHOICE) has named Philadelphia Councilwoman At-Large Blondell Reynolds Brown as its 2007 recipient of the Louis Gerstley, III, MD, Community Health Advocate of the Year Award.

Now in its third year, the Gerstley award honor is presented to an individual who carries on Dr. Gerstley’s praiseworthy advocacy on behalf of those in need of information, care and education in the realms of reproductive, sexual and/or community health. read more>

Park Change
September 20, 2007, City Councilmembers Darrell Clarke and Blondell Reynolds Brown could authorize a bill that would ultimately dissolve the current commission and create a board of overseers to be appointed by the mayor with guidance from Council. read more>

Grandparents are the rock
by Karen C. Buck, Michael Vogel and Blondell Reynolds Brown
In Philadelphia alone, one in six children, more than 60,000, are being raised by a relative, often a grandparent. Statewide, over 80,000 grandparents, from their 40s to their 80s and 90s, are successfully raising and parenting grandchildren, while more than six million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents across the country. An estimated 2.5 million children are in households without any parent at all. This phenomenon of kinship care cuts across all racial, economic and geographic lines. read more>

It's A Man's World: In Recent Years, Only One Woman Has Joined the Club - June 22, 2007
In last month's primary election, there were only two women in the field of 19 at-large Democratic City Council candidates, and only one had a chance to win.That was incumbent Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. "I call it 'walking on a tightrope backward with heels on,' " said Brown, on the challenge of running for citywide office as a mother.

Is City Failing Its Youth? - June 19, 2007
The mayor last year cracked down on truancy and curfew violations in response to youth violence. The effect of those and many other efforts will be reviewed in future report cards, which Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown said will continue to be funded after Street leaves office next January.

Mayor Releases Annual Report Card Findings - June 19., 2007
Mayor Street states, "Perhaps the most encouraging new development this year was City Council’s unanimous vote to institutionalize the annual publication of the report card, meaning that it will live on beyond this and future mayoral administrations. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for sponsoring the resolution that will preserve this important accountability tool for generations to come.”

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown Judges the 2nd Annual Urban Idol Competition
On Thursday, August 9th, Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, Chair of The City Council Committee on Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs helped to select the 2nd Annual Urban Idol Winner, Starr Bonilla, of Water Tower Recreation Center at the Urban Idol Final Competition, held at the Dell East.

It's A Man's World: In Recent Years, Only One Woman Has Joined the Club
June 22, 2007
In last month's primary election, there were only two women in the field of 19 at-large Democratic City Council candidates, and only one had a chance to win.That was incumbent Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown. "I call it 'walking on a tightrope backward with heels on,' " said Brown, on the challenge of running for citywide office as a mother.

Is City Failing Its Youth? - June 19, 2007
The mayor last year cracked down on truancy and curfew violations in response to youth violence. The effect of those and many other efforts will be reviewed in future report cards, which Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown said will continue to be funded after Street leaves office next January.

Mayor Releases Annual Report Card Findings
Philadelphia Safe and Sound - June 19., 2007
Mayor Street states, "Perhaps the most encouraging new development this year was City Council’s unanimous vote to institutionalize the annual publication of the report card, meaning that it will live on beyond this and future mayoral administrations. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for sponsoring the resolution that will preserve this important accountability tool for generations to come.”

Council recess provides time to work out Fairmount structure. METRO - June 15, 2007
Reynolds Brown states that "she’s encouraged that the parks activists are ready to work with her and Clarke to get the charter change question on the ballot."

City Council Amends Park Reform Bill Today - June 14, 2007

Mayor Street Urges School $ and Council Complies
Philadelphia Daily News - June 8, 2007
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown, sponsor of the funding amendment, said she hoped the city's action would be repeated by the state.

With more than a 100 attendees the business roundtable, Navigating The Procurement Web Of The Philadelphia Creative Economy was a success - June 8, 2007

Philadelphia City Council Unanimously apporves resolution instituionalizing the City's Annual Children's Report Card - May 10, 2007

Working to Abolish Mercury Dental Fillings: Councilwoman Adresses "Unforeseen Side of Mercury" - April 25, 2007

Philadelphia City Council to Support Paid Sick Days via Healthy Family, Healthy Workplace Resolution, Championed by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown is proposing an ordinance that would require tour guides to pass a test and be licensed - Spring 2007

Minors to Adhere to Summer Curfew Hours
In May 2006, the Honorable Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced legislation in City Council to strengthen the curfew law for minors ages 13 and under. Reynolds Brown and co-sponsors of the bill (Councilmember’s Clarke, DiCicco, Kenney, & Reed-Miller) acknowledge the rise of violence among youth, which has had a traumatic effect on our communities. The Mayor is proposing the establishment of Youth Curfew Centers in several troubled areas aroundthe City under the alarming use of crime.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown hosts Youth Rally Commission Ballot Question - May 9, 2007

Citizens in Southwest Philadelphia Help 'Groceries for Guns' Reach 1,066 Firearms. Fattah, Reynolds Brown Initiative Gets Firearms Off the Streets
Marketwatch - April 28, 2007

Vote "YES" Youth Commission
Philadelphia Daily News - April 27, 2007

Unforeseen Side of Mercury
Op/Ed by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown
April 25, 2007

Chinese New Year Spectacular - View Video

Special Committee on Gender Parity Created
Councilwoman Reynolds Brown creates City Council’s Committee on Gender Parity which will investigate and explore expanding opportunities for working women.

Bill Asks for Food Data
Topix - March 1, 2007

Councilwoman At-Large Reynolds Brown to Defend Seat
The Evening Bulletin - February 2007

Groceries for Guns
The Public Record - January 15, 2007

Resolved: That each of us help a youngster find the way
The Philadelphia Inquirer - January 2007

Is The Philadelphia Wi-Fi Project Necessary? The Answer Is An Unequivocal Yes
The Evening Bullentin - April 6, 2006

The Wireless Philadelphia initiative will make training, computers, the Internet's vast resources accessible to all.
Philadelphia Daily News - March 16, 2006

Time out for teacher training: It gets an 'A' for excellence
Philadelphia Daily News - October 23, 2003

After School Programs Have Benefits that Last Throughout a Lifetime

In the news archive:
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002