WHEREAS, Philadelphia has produced some of the greatest and fiercest boxers in U.S. history, due in no small part to the incredible homegrown boxing gyms scattered throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, In 1974, Marvin “Toochie” Gordon and Frank Taylor opened a boxing gym on 60th and Vine Street in West Philadelphia, which would later be known as “The Executioners” gym; and
WHEREAS, The Executioners not only provided young Black men an opportunity to learn the sport of boxing, but gave them something that many of them didn’t have at home: love, hope, father figures, and respect; and
WHEREAS, From 1976 to 1986, the Executioners would produce some of the greatest homegrown, amateur boxers the U.S. had seen, securing 639 wins with only 84 loses; and
WHEREAS, Dannon Green moved to Philadelphia at the age of seven after being adopted out of the New York foster care system; and
WHEREAS, Green joined the Executioners to escape the tumultuous neighborhood conflicts growing in Philadelphia, and, after years of training, went on to be the back-to-back Golden Gloves champion from 1989 to 1990; and
WHEREAS, Boxing saved Green’s life after the passing of his mother and he attributes the successes in his life to the discipline and hard work he learned in the ring; and
WHEREAS, Green left for college and pursued a career in entertainment, standup comedy, plays, commercials, and film in Los Angeles, California. He would eventually start writing screenplays, which led him to write the documentary, “The Executioners: We All Had a Chance”; and
WHEREAS, Green wrote, directed, narrated, and produced “The Executioners” as a tribute to Gordon’s and Taylor’s efforts to create a safe space for young Black men, but also as a cautionary tale of those that chose not to listen to the wisdom passed down by their coaches; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors Dannon Green for his documentary film "The Executioners: We All Had a Chance," which tells the story of Marvin “Toochie” Gordon’s and Frank Taylor’s gym, The Executioners, and the impact that it had on the lives of young Black men growing up in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Dannon Green, as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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