Also naming North 41st Street between Parkside Avenue and South Concourse Drive as "Barbara Daniel Cox Way," in honor of the late Barbara Daniel Cox, organizer of the Black Family Reunion.

WHEREAS, Barbara Daniel Cox was a proud graduate of West Philadelphia High School, who also earned a bachelor’s degree from Cheyney University and a master’s degree from Antioch University; and

WHEREAS, Barbara enjoyed a long and successful professional career that included work as an educator and Human Relations Specialist for the School District of Philadelphia; Director of Consultation and Education for Hall-Mercer Community Mental Health Center; Director of Education for the Philadelphia Urban League; Director of Community Relations for Philadelphia International Records; Executive Director of the Mayor’s Commission for Women; and, notably, National Director of the Black Family Reunion Celebration for the National Council of Negro Women; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Barbara Daniel Cox was an outstanding management, communications, and strategic planning consultant to several organizations and companies, including the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Historic Johnson House, ODUNDE Inc., Point Breeze Performing Arts, and the African American Music Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Barbara also served as a consultant to PECO, the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the Philadelphia Tribune, and the Philadelphia Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; and

WHEREAS, While she was at the National Council of Negro Women, Barbara worked closely with Dorothy Height, a legendary African American civil and women’s rights activist; and

WHEREAS, In her work as a community facilitator, Barbara produced events with attendances ranging from 50 people to a massive 500,000, including large-scale Black Family Reunions in Los Angeles, Memphis, and Atlanta, among other cities; and

WHEREAS, Barbara also organized the Philadelphia Family Reunions, which took place on the fields around the intersection of 41st Street and South Concourse Drive, where families could picnic, share information, buy from vendors, and attend concerts; and

WHEREAS, Black Family Reunions, dating back to the post-emancipation period of the history of the United States, were born out of the deep desire of formerly enslaved people to seek out family members they had been separated from during the country’s shameful period of human enslavement; and

WHEREAS, Although the Black Family Reunion evolved over generations, it has always been a powerful and joyous celebration of Black kinship, resilience, strength, and interdependence; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Daniel Cox’s many years of service, and the importance of the traditions she honored, made possible and kept alive, should be commemorated by adding her name to the street signs where the Black Family Reunion took place; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby also names South 41st Street between Parkside Avenue and South Concourse Drive “Barbara Daniel Cox Way,” in honor of the late Barbara Daniel Cox, organizer of the Black Family Reunion.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy be presented to the family of Barbara Daniel Cox, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End