Resolution 250030

..Title Also naming Market Street from 7th to 8th as Emma Chappell Way, in honor of the trailblazing work she did to establish the City's first bank operated by a Black woman. ..Body WHEREAS, Emma Chappell was a hero of her neighborhood. She established a women-run bank at 714 Market St., the first bank established and run by a Black woman in the City - the United Bank of Philadelphia. She then spent her career between 7th and 8th Streets on Market St., ensuring her bank and her neighbors alike prospered. Her pioneering work revolutionized the financial sector in our City; and WHEREAS, Local civic organizations have articulated vocal support for renaming the space after Emma. Her daughter, Tracey Carter, has helped facilitate the effort to mark her mother's remarkable efforts alongside Washington Square West Civic Association; and WHEREAS, Growing up in West Philadelphia, Emma went to West Philadelphia High School and attended the Rev. Leon H. Sullivan's Zion Baptist Church. Rev. Sullivan helped her become a clerk-photographer at Continental Bank in 1959, starting her off on her career path; and WHEREAS, By 1977 while at Continental Bank, Emma had become the first female Vice President and first Black Vice President of a commercial bank in the history of Pennsylvania. She led the bank's community loans program, granting more than $30 million to Black-led business enterprises, and founded what became the Philadelphia Commercial Development Project. In 1984, she served as national treasurer for Jesse Jackson's Presidential campaign, and established the United Bank in 1992; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby also name Market Street from 7th to 8th Streets as Emma Chappell Way, in honor of the trailblazing work she did to establish the City's first bank operated by a Black woman. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Emma's daughter, Tracey Carter, as an expression of the gratitude and admiration of the Council of the City of Philadelphia. ..End