Recognizing and honoring Omar Tate for his efforts to address food insecurity, elevate Black food and culture, and to create a safe community space through his work to open the Honeysuckle community center.

WHEREAS, Omar Tate is a renowned Philadelphia rooted artist and chef focused on highlighting and celebrating Black food culture. His food has not only successfully elevated the idea of Black food in America, but has garnered critical acclaim from the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Times, Time Magazine’s 2021 Time100 Next list, and Esquire Magazine, which named Omar as Chef of the Year in 2020 for its annual list of Best New Restaurants in America. Omar has also been featured in the new Netflix Documentary “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America,” which highlights how many favorite American food dishes have origins in African American cuisine; and

WHEREAS, Omar started Honeysuckle in New York City as a multi-course dinner experience on Wall Street, serving up dishes that told the story of Black food and culture in America he learned through his time traveling the Country to work and experience Black American foodways and culture; and

WHEREAS, The pandemic provided Omar with the opportunity to return back home to Philadelphia, bringing with him his kitchen talents and his deep appreciation and understanding for Black food and culture he learned through his years traveling and working. Omar began reviving the Honeysuckle food experience in a space attached to South Philly Barbacoa, immediately generating excitement; and

WHEREAS, The success of his food dishes locally led Omar to announce his new vision for a Honeysuckle community center in Mantua that would provide a space for Omar to continue serving up Black food, but also begin creating economic opportunity for the Black community; and

WHEREAS, Omar explained his decision to choose Mantua came when the only grocery store in the community closed, and to show that “the hood is beautiful, regardless of what goes on there. In addressing what this beauty needs to thrive, I needed to create a grocery store”; and

WHEREAS, The multi-purpose Honeysuckle community center will expand opportunities for other Black artists, musicians and food producers. Omar has stated, “we’re developing a distribution network of Black farmers along the East Coast and hopefully national”; and

WHEREAS, Omar’s commitment to opening a community center carries on the legacy his grandfather, James Jamison, began decades ago when he opened the William L. Meese Community Center to feed neighborhood children and promote Black culture and arts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize and honor Omar Tate for his efforts to address food insecurity, elevate Black food and culture, and to create a safe community space through his work to open the Honeysuckle community center.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Omar Tate, further evidencing the sincere respect of this legislative body.

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