Tag: Frankford Friends School

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Frankford’s Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! The Promise of Hope!

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday morning over 200 people from the Frankford area gathered to remember and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to continue working towards his dream of all of us joining our hands as “brothers and sisters”. Honoring Dr. King reminds us of our own call to serve, to show “true compassion … and a revolution of values” as we need more than ever, compassion, understanding and justice for each American. This was the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast Celebration and this event had taken place at St. Joachim RC Church in previous years. This year, Dr. Ayesha Imani, CEO,Principal, and Founder of Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, invited the community to use the school’s facility at 4256 Paul St. for the celebration. Besides George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Dr. King is the only one to be honored by having a federal holiday named after him.  At 8:30 AM, the school’s cafeteria was filled with people from the many different

Dr. Ayesha Imani, Sankofa Freedom Academy

organizations, churches and neighborhood who came for a free, cooked breakfast (by Ken’s Catering) and to participate in a program honoring Dr. King’s life that showcased the many talents of our area youth. There was a feeling of anticipation and excitement as we waited for the program to begin. Sponsored by the Frankford Coalition of Neighbors (FCN) with support from area organizations, this celebration, according to Jennifer Powell-Folks Executive Director of FCN, brings “Frankfordians together to sit with each other and talk with each other”. Jennifer reminded us that “grassroots people can make a difference” and that it is important that elected officials hear our views on what matters most to us. The mission of FCN is “… to improve relations among the diverse religious, economic, racial and ethnic groups in Frankford, while promoting volunteerism and community coalition”. At the end of this article we will provide contact information for two of community groups if you would like to get more involved. Also, be sure to check out the links of the various performances.

The program began with a song entitled “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. The Frankford Friends School Choir sang and played bells to accompany this song. We have links to all the performances at the end of this article. This song is commonly known as “The Negro National Anthem”. We were welcomed by Janet Bernstein, a member of FCN and the Frankford Garden Club, who asked us to reflect what each of us can do to continue Dr. King’s work. The beautiful table centerpieces were provided by the Frankford Garden Club with assistance by the Frankford High School ROTC (FHS ROTC) members. FHS

Jennifer Powell-Folks, Frankford Coalition of Neighbors

ROTC “presented arms” and we listened to the National Anthem. They also treated us to a drill team performance. Reverend Laurie Ann Rookard of the United Methodist Church gave the invocation and blessing. Breakfast was then served – buffet style. Following breakfast, there was an acknowledgement of the local dignitaries in attendance. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sanchez and state Representative Tony Payton, Jr. were among the notables. Both were thanked for their active support and advocacy for our community.

The poetry performances by Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School students were very, very moving to all. These poets are wise beyond their years and offered us a chance to see the dreams of a life they envisioned for all. Listening to these young people, Dr. King would know his message has not been forgotten. Kimberly Washington, the Northeast EPIC coordinator, explained that her organization needed more involvement from area residents. Many of the civic groups in Frankford participate in this organization but the voices of those of us who live here, the residents, needs to be more vocal and active. The next meeting of the EPIC Stakeholders is Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health – Frankford. Please make sure your presence and voice are there!

A liturgical dance was performed by the Treasures from Heaven of the Campbell AME Church. This Church on Kinsey Street is over 200 years old and the second oldest church in the Philadelphia conference. There was a free will offering to help defray costs of the breakfast. Northeast Boys and Girls Club marched and stepped lively to drums which accompanied the drill team’s performance.

Dr. Imani explained the development of freedom schools (Wikipedia reference which references the Philadelphia Freedom Schools based on the Children’s Defense Fund model). More information is also found here on the Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School web site. Reverend Rookard closed the program with a benediction.

How Can You Get Involved? Bring a Friend! Explore and Use Your Talents for Frankford!

Frankford Coalition of Neighbors
Jennifer Powell-Folks, Executive Director
c/o Campbell AME Church
1661 Kinsey Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215.744.9170
email: FrankfordCoalition@Prodigy.net

CORA Services Northeast EPIC Stakeholders
Kimberly Washington, Esq.
email: KWashington@coraservices.org
Next meeting: Thursday, 1/27/11 at 5:30 PM at Aria Health, Frankford

Contributing Organizations besides those already mentioned: Aria Health, Frankford Campus; Fruit of the Vine United Methodist Church; Mater Dolorosa RC Church; Friends of Wissonoming Park

You are able to share in and relive this celebration by clicking on the following links:
MLK Day at Sankofa
Frankford Friends School Choir
Frankford High School ROTC Drill Team
Sankofa Essay and Poetry Readings
Campbell AME Church Liturgical Dance Performance
Northeast Boys and Girls Club Drill Team
Sankofa Freedom Academy “Something Inside So Strong”

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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Rummage Sale
    When – Sat, October 30, 9am – 2pm
    Where – Frankford Friends School – 1500 Orthodox Street (at Penn) (map)
    Description – Frankford Friends is having its annual Rummage Sale this Saturday. Great bargains, nice friends, bake sale items. Hopefully the weather holds!
  • Overington Park Fall Festival
    When – Sat, October 30, 10am – 1pm
    Where – Overington Park – Orthodox and Leiper Sts, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Costume parade, pumpkin patch, games, scavenger hunt and refreshments
  • Friends of Overington Park
    When – Tue, November 2, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – CORA Neuman Center at 1000 Orthodox Street (map)
    Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
  • 15th District PSA1 Meeting
    When – Wed, November 3, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – Aria Health – 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA (map)
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, November 4, 7pm – 8pm
    Where2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, November 7, 12pm – 5pm
    Where4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM:‘Meet Captain Percival Drayton, U.S. Navy’ – [Jack Lieberman, Captain USN (ret.) ] Drayton was South Carolina born from a wealthy Plantation family and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He exemplifies the dilemma that Southern Unionists faced when he opposed his own brother Thomas, a Confederate General in battle at Port Royal Sound on November 7, 1861.
  • Frankford Special Services District Board Meeting
    When – Mon, November 8, 8:30am – 9:30am
    Where – St. Mark’s Church, 4442 Frankford Ave, Griscom Street entrance. (map)
    Description – Open to the public
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, November 9, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
    When – Thu, November 11, 6pm – 8pm
    Where – Corner of Oxford Ave. and Foulkrod St. (map)
    Description – Gather together with your friends and neighbors to maintain and improve this garden spot in Frankford.
  • Turkey Bingo
    When – Sat, November 13, 5pm – 9pm
    Where – St. Joachim Church, 1527 Church St. Philadelphia (map)
    Description – Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Francis De Sales #2617 is hosting a Turkey Bingo at St. Joachim Church, 1527 Church St. Philadelphia on Saturday November 13, 2010 from 5PM to 9PM. Cost of admission is $20.00 and includes bingo cards, hot dog, chip, drink, and cake, and door prize ticket. We will also have baskets to raffle, 50-50, and additional food for purchase. If you bring a non-perishable food item for our food cupboard, you get a free raffle ticket. For information call St. Joachim 215-535-0580
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, November 16, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Frankford Parks Group
    When – Mon, November 22, 6pm – 7pm
    Where – Second Baptist Church – 1801 Meadow St. Phila. PA 19124 (map)