WHEREAS, Faatimah Gamble's passion for business first began as a student at Bok Vocational School in South Philadelphia. She continued her education at Temple University, and went on to become certified as a protocol and etiquette consultant from the International School of Protocol in Washington D.C. Ms. Gamble personally developed and implemented the Pearls of Wisdom and From Boys to Men character building and social etiquette programs with hundreds of young adults over the last thirty years, and has encouraged self esteem and refinement among inner-city individuals; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gamble co-founded Universal Companies, a group of organizations that provides a wide range of comprehensive services to rebuild urban America. Through services such as real estate development, vocational skills training, adult basic education, job preparation and training, and elementary education and after school programs, Universal has worked with community residents to create several neighborhood master plans to continue development activity; and
WHEREAS, To implement these plans, Universal solicited public and private entities to raise nearly a billion dollars of investment funds. Universal oversees the construction and management of all of its projects, and since 1993 has developed over 1,500 units of commercial, residential, entertainment and public education facilities, as well as affordable housing for families in need; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, health education was a subject about which Ms. Gamble had grown very passionate, and in 1996, she founded The Wellness of You, Inc. This nonprofit organization has advocated for healthy lifestyles in under-served communities, and since its inception, over 25,000 individuals have benefited from its programs. Furthermore, The Wellness of You was the first organization in the country that recognized medical professionals committed to making a positive change in community health; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gamble continues her success and philanthropy as president of The Wellness of You, Inc., co-chairperson of Universal Companies, and as a member of the board of directors of the Universal Institute Charter School. In the future, she plans to focus on youth programming and health advocacy; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors, recognizes and commends Faatimah Gamble for her commitment and dedication to helping impoverished communities and families across the nation, and her advocacy for healthy lifestyles.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Faatimah Gamble as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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