Contacts:      

For PHA: Linda Wallace

[email protected]

Cell: 713-302-9967

WHAT: Philly’s weeklong Juneteenth Celebration, PHA residents and Housing Choice Voucher tenants who own their own businesses will have a chance to sell their wares and grow their own businesses at an outdoor market. In addition to these diverse vendors, festivities include a Double-Dutch competition, a free intro to Mosaic workshop, a free CPR class, music and fun! Of all the racial groups surveyed in a recent report by Babson College, Black Americans had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity (35%), followed by Hispanic people (27%). Despite this strong interest, both groups remain less likely to run established businesses than white entrepreneurs. To address this issue, PHA began offering regular entrepreneurship workshops and a six-month fellowship as a way to support these home-based micro-businesses. Since then, more than 50 business owners have completed the comprehensive Fellowship program covering the full range of business fundamentals. PHA Fellows receive: up to a $3,000 small business grant; up to $2,000 worth of books, licenses and certification for their business, and an opportunity to receive free office space and services in Resident Advisory Board’s resident Incubator.

WHEN: The best media opportunities will be available from noon to 11:30 to 1:30 PM Monday, June 17, 2024.

WHERE: Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center (761 N 47th St, Philadelphia, PA 19139).

DETAILS: More than 300 people are expected to attend. There will music, food, prizes and giveaways including laptops and gift cards. PHA entrepreneurs will be selling a variety of items including food, desserts, clothing, crafts, and candles.  Come interview these remarkable entrepreneurs who are getting increased recognition on social media, and in the news media.

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Media Contact:

Nichole Tillman: 215-888-2869; [email protected]

What: The Philadelphia Housing Authority will host a dynamic celebration honoring fathers and their invaluable role in our communities. Father’s Hoop Day promises an exhilarating day filled with basketball festivities, delicious food, and memorable moments. This event, hosted by Buck Wild, is a tribute to the strength, dedication, and love of fathers everywhere.

Visuals: Capture heartwarming moments between fathers and sons participating in various activities.

Where: Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center

761 North 47th Street

Philadelphia, PA. 19139

When Friday, June 14, 2024

5pm to 6:30pm  Media Opportunities Are Available

Reshay Johnson Kennedy, founder of Nuri’s Sweet Treats, is currently in PHA’s Advanced Entrepreneurial Fellowship program. At the pop up event, she and her team sold desserts.

Contacts:     

For PHA: Linda Wallace

[email protected]

Cell: 713-302-9967

Getting Down to Business

PHA Hosts a Spring Pop Up Shop for PHA Residents Who Are Growing Their Own Businesses, Following Post-Pandemic Trends

Aisha and Amir Burnett sold soulful dinners at the event; Amir provided the balloon decorations

WHAT: Pop Up Shop featuring PHA’s resident-owned businesses: Entrepreneurship recently reached record levels, according to Babson College’s U.S. GEM Report in 2022-2023. Of all the racial groups surveyed, Black people had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity (35%), followed by Hispanic people (27%). Despite these high rates, both groups remain less likely to run established businesses than white entrepreneurs. In 2021, PHA began offering entrepreneurship workshops and a six-month prestigious fellowship as a way to support these micro-businesses, which often are home-based. Since then, about 40 small business owners have graduated, all of whom go through the process of becoming approved vendors with PHA. They also get the appropriate licenses and learn business fundamentals.

WHEN: 11:30 to 1 PM Wednesday, May 15, 2024

WHERE: PHA Headquarters at 2013 Ridge Avenue. The event will begin  outdoors in the Pavilion but may move indoors due to rain.

Nija Wiggins, founder of Corneey’s, sold some of her favorite gourmet dishes made from corn-on-the-cob.

DETAILS: PHA resident Aisha Burnett, owner of Ruthann’s kitchen, was hired by PHA in January to cater a luncheon for high-ranking HUD officials who had come from Washington for a listening session. Her 16-year-old son, Amir, provided the gorgeous balloons for the events. Other popular resident-owned businesses scheduled to attend include Corneey’s, owned by Nija Wiggins, which is a favorite in the Philly food truck industry, and Nuri Sweet Treats, a company started by Reshay Johnson that makes spectacular desserts. Resident businesses will sell clothing, candles, jewelry, household goods and scents, and delicious food and desserts.

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HUD Acting Secretary Acting Secretary Todman (far right) planted a tree alongside Kelvin A. Jeremiah, President & CEO of PHA; PHA Board Chair Lynette Brown-Sow; US. Congressman Dwight Evans and other dignitaries at a ceremony on April 25 designed to highlight HUD’S and PHA’s investments in energy-saving operating systems and green spaces for affordable housing. The tree was planted at the Blumberg 83 Community Center in Sharswood, which is powered by solar panels on the roof. Residents have access to landscaped green spaces, bike racks, and pedestrian walkways. The leased housing development has been recognized by two green rating programs: Enterprise Green Communities and ENERGY STAR® Certified Homes.

HUD Acting Secretary Travels to Philadelphia, PA to Mark Investments in Sustainability

Acting Secretary Todman joined local Philadelphia leaders to highlight green investments in affordable housing

HUD Public Affairs
202-708-0685
HUD.gov/Press

PHILADELPHIA – Today, Adrianne Todman, the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to celebrate the Philadelphia Housing Authority and Biden-Harris Administration’s work to support housing that is both affordable and sustainable. This Earth Week, HUD and the entire Biden-Harris Administration are marking achievements in supporting energy efficiency, climate resilience, and sustainability across the country.

“We know that as our country invests in sustainable housing, low-income and disadvantaged communities are often left behind. Under this Administration, we have invested billions to ensure that affordable housing is similarly efficient, resilient, and sustainable,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “It’s my honor to be here with our partners in Philadelphia, during Earth Week, to celebrate their achievements as we look to build America’s green future.”

Acting Secretary Todman joined U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03), State Sen. Sharif Street, State Rep. Donna Bullock, Philadelphia City Councilman Jeffery Young, Aren Platt, Chief Deputy Mayor of Planning and Strategic Initiatives, and Kelvin A. Jeremiah, the President & CEO of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, for a press conference at the 83-Development, an Energy Star and Green Community-certified new development, which serves 83 new units and a new street. HUD funds helped build this property through a $30 million Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant. This site features a variety of energy-efficient and climate resilient improvements, including solar panels and storm water retention basins. Following the press conference, Acting Secretary Todman planted a tree alongside local officials, symbolizing the importance of investing in green spaces for affordable housing.

Today, in honor of Earth Week, HUD released a fact sheet summarizing these crucial actions taken over the past year, which include increasing access to climate funding opportunities, strengthening programs alongside interagency partners, collaborating on gathering climate data, and ensuring that climate investments enhance housing affordability.

To learn more about Acting Secretary Todman’s visit or HUD’s work to invest in sustainability, climate resilience, and energy efficiency, reach out to HUD’s Office of Public Affairs at [email protected].

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov

You can also connect with HUD on social media or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.