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Sankofa Students at Frankford Civic

About 20 people turned out at the Frankford Civic Association meeting on March 3rd.

Discussion centered on the town watch proposal and Stephen Bowne distributed a flyer that he proposes using in his area of Frankford to solicit volunteers.  In Frankford it would take the form of an Eyes and Ears activity rather than an active patrol.  Bowne is also interested in the Safe Corridors program when enough people become active.

Students from Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School made a presentation of their research project titled the “Triple H Effect” which connected Homelessness, Healthy Eating and Human Trafficking.  Egypt Henry, Nairha Pugh-Bell and Abdul Foster did a great job and answered questions from the group about their research.

Sankofa Students

Pete Specos updated the group on the recent PSA1 meeting held in Bridesburg.  The next PSA1 meeting will return to Bridesburg to address the issues raised for those residents.  It will be held on March 24th at 7 PM at the Bridesburg Boys and Girls Club at 2901 Bridge Street.

The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be held on April 7th at 7 PM at St. Marks Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue.

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30th Annual Frankford Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration

This year, January 18, 2016,  marked the 30th annual Frankford Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration. The gathering, usually held in Frankford was moved to Mariana Bracetti Academy when the original location fell through.

The morning started slowly with hot coffee and the occasional gust of cold air as people trickled in. Jennifer Powell-Folks, the morning’s emcee, welcomed everyone, offering gratitude to the support of the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors, the Frankford Garden Club, and Mariana Bracetti Academy.

The Frankford High School ROTC braved the cold and came out to the breakfast in full regalia to do the Presentation of Arms and National Anthem.

A hot breakfast of buttered grits, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit, with more than enough hot coffee and tea to go around was served by Sloane Folks and volunteers from the Frankford Community Development Corporation.

As everyone finished their food and warmed their hands on Styrofoam cups, two students from the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School poured libations – a traditional African ceremony to bless and honor ancestors and those who paved the ways before us. “And today we recognize Martin Luther King, ashe. Fannie Lou Hamer, ashe. Ella Baker, ashe.” One young woman recited as the other poured water into a bouquet of flowers. “We pour libations to the Frankford Community, ashe.

We pour libations to change, ashe.” The God’s Creation Choir of children from the Campbell AME Church sang an uplifting rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing followed by Reverend Sandra Brown offering her reflections from the Frankford-Oxford Ministeriam. Both Imam Yousef Jamaladdin of Masjid Taha and Reverend Robyn Hynicka also offered their reflections from the community and their congregations. Reverend Hynicka expressed his deep gratitude for the welcomeness of the community. “Frankford’s good for that. We’re good at opening our doors to everyone.”

Steve Blackburn of Carson Valley Children’s Aid came to the mic and recognized the service of numerous community leaders like Bill Gambrel the “unofficial mayor of Frankford” as Blackburn put it. Both Blackburn and Powell-Folks took this time to extend posthumous honor to Madge Trickey, a Frankford native and long-time activist in the Frankford faith communities and Frankford Coalition of Neighbors.

From L-R it’s Jennifer Powell-Folks, Johnnie Mae Parker, Janet Bernstein, Connie Whitmore, and Helen Waller

From L-R it’s Jennifer Powell-Folks, Johnnie Mae Parker, Janet Bernstein, Connie Whitmore, and Helen Waller

Captain McCloskey, the police captain for the Frankford area, gave a message of support and love to the neighbors present. He acknowledged the hardships of Frankford and of communications between minority neighborhoods and police. “We’re not gonna solve the problem as just the police. We’re not gonna solve the problem as just the community. We have to come together and work together. And that’s what we do.”

Dr. Ayeshi Imani was also called to offer her reflections on the founding of Sankofa Freedom Academy. Students from the school presented a spoken word poem and a beautiful version of Stand By Me that had everyone clapping and singing along by the end. “I’m so proud to be in a community that is doing the work,” Dr. Imani said.

The afternoon rounded to a close with words of gratitude and remembrance from Johnnie Mae Parker, Janet Burnstein, Helen Waller, and Connie Whitmore of the Frankford Garden Club.

Finally, Reverend Robyn Hynicka came to the mic again to offer a closing prayer. “If you don’t have a good village, it’s hard to be a good person,” he said. “And I feel blessed to be a part of a good village.”

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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST CELEBRATION IN FRANKFORD

COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE

27th ANNUAL

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. BREAKFAST CELEBRATION IN FRANKFORD

ALL YOUTH PERFORMANCES

Come out and meet the District Attorney and Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez

Monday, January 21, 2013

THIS YEAR LOCATED AT

SANKOFA FREEDOM ACADEMY

AT 4256 PAUL STREET AT RUAN STREET

The doors open at 8:30 a.m., Program begins at 9:00 a.m.

Free event and meal to all

PLEASE BRING A CAN FOR LOCAL FOOD BANKS

The Frankford  is a non-profit organization working to improve relations among the diverse economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition building.

FOR INFORMATION or to volunteer CONTACT: Jennifer Powell-Folks at (267) 716-0869

**Breakfast sponsored by Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sanchez, 7th District City Council