WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson was born and raised in South Philadelphia, near the intersection of 23rd and Ellsworth Streets. Her talent for broadcasting emerged while she was a student at Southwark Motivation High School in South Philadelphia, where she was the announcer on her school PA every morning. After graduating high school, she attended the American Academy for Broadcasting. She began her career in radio shortly thereafter; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson has enjoyed a successful 35-year career, which includes working for Power 99 FM and Q102, but she is best known for her show, Café 105 on 105.3 WDAS-FM. She has not only interviewed some of the biggest names in entertainment, but more importantly, connected with her listeners through her warm conversational style; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson’s talents are not just limited to radio; she has hosted telethons, been on NBC10’s 10! Show, and is currently the entertainment correspondent on CN8’s Your Morning the first Friday of the month. Ms. Jackson also writes an entertainment column for the Philadelphia Tribune. Ms. Jackson became the official voice of Philadelphia when the Philadelphia International Airport chose to use Patty’s voice to welcome travelers from all over the world to our City; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Jackson has expressed her love and dedication to the City of Philadelphia through her commitment to community service. Among the countless causes she supports are: AIDS Fund’s Annual AIDS Walk, American Diabetes Association’s Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes, Breast Cancer Race for The Cure, the National Woman’s Heart Day Campaign, and Coalition Against Hunger. She made it her personal mission to help the American Heart Association raise awareness about heart disease after she suffered a stroke in 2015. Through volunteering and public speaking, Ms. Jackson urges Philadelphia women to pay attention to the warning signs of heart disease and not neglect their health; and
WHEREAS, Patty’s accomplishments have not gone unrecognized. She received the Communicator of the Year Award in 1995 from the National Black MBA Association. In 2005, she was recognized by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists for Outstanding Community Service. The American Heart Association honored her last year with its Most Powerful Volunteer Award. The March of Dimes awarded Patty twice, once with the Achievement in Radio Award and again for Best Weekday Midday Host. Ms. Jackson has also been voted Favorite Radio Personality multiple times by the readers of the Philadelphia Tribune; and
WHEREAS, In 2010, Councilman Kenyatta Johnson honored Ms. Jackson with the South Philadelphia Living Legends Award. This block renaming stands as further recognition of this broadcasting pioneer, diehard Philadelphia sports fan, and outstanding citizen; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 2300 block of Ellsworth Street shall also be named “Patty Jackson Way,” to honor legendary broadcaster Patty Jackson.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Ms. Patty Jackson as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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