WHEREAS, In response to a perceived dearth in local news coverage relevant to Black West Philadelphians, Tyree Johnson and his late wife, Barbara Ann Johnson, created the Westside Weekly Newspaper in 1989; and
WHEREAS, Johnson, a founding President of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ), who spent 18 years as an investigative journalist with the Philadelphia Daily News and as a member of KYW-TV3’s I-Team under chief investigator Tony Lame, felt compelled to generate news coverage that impacted his beloved West Philadelphia community; and
WHEREAS, The Westside Weekly features local community stories about West Philadelphians, stories about mothers and fathers, sports (from high school to professional area teams including professional boxing), student success stories, political stories, relevant local ads, and crime reports; and
WHEREAS, The Weekly, with its tagline “News for and about the people of West Philadelphia,” has stayed true to its mission and still has dedicated readers over 30 years after its inception; and
WHEREAS, Circulation is estimated to have increased from to 15,000 to 20,000 weekly readers; and
WHEREAS, Johnson’s contribution to journalism and the West Philadelphia community cannot be denied
; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the 6200 block of West Pine Street also be named “Westside Weekly Way” to honor the Westside Weekly Newspaper and its impact on West Philadelphia
.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Tyree Johnson, in recognition of this occasion, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
End