ABOVE PHOTO: Charlie Mack and friends at his “Party for Peace” event.
(Photo by Pat Hawkins)
Charlie Mack brings his celebrity friends to the city for his annual Party for Peace Weekend
Last weekend the city welcomed lots of celebrities for the annual Charlie Mack party for peace weekend. This year the weekend’s theme was “I will be great” and kicked off with a reception for some talented teens in South Philly. And what better way to kick of a weekend about greatness than with a visit from one of our city’s greatest celebrities, actor Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith.
Throughout the annual weekend at various events, young people were given the opportunity to meet and be encouraged by the stories and advice of various stars including Terry Crews and his wife Rebecca Crew, Tisha Campbell Martin, Kyla Pratt, Q Parker from the R&B group 112, Tamala Jones, Faison Love, and many more. “This weekend is very important for these young people because we get the opportunity to talk to some young people and really inspire them, and unfortunately, some of them are not getting this at home, said actress Kyla Pratt.
The weekend included luncheons for young people making positive impacts in their communities, a Healthy-Hoops asthma clinic, a fashion show, talent show, and of course the all-white party. At the finale luncheon, panelists were asked to recall the moment that they knew they would be great. “As a child I had been abused”, Rebecca Crews said, “But (after reading a story during Black History Month), I realized that being abused did not have to define my success, that where I came from did not have to define who I would become.”
The proceeds Charlie Mack’s Annual Party for Peace weekend goes to support various organizations that combat gun violence in the city.
Young People Rally at Love Park looking for Peace N’ Philly
(Photo by Kiarra Solomon)
It seemed perfectly timed that the day before Charlie Mack’s Party for Peace weekend kicked off, young people from around the city met in Love Park for a Peace N’ Philly Town Hall Meeting. The meeting was led by young community activist Nehemiah Davis of the Neo Daviso foundation.
Hundreds of young people came out to voice their concern about the city’s gun violence, many wearing Peace N Philly shirts designed by Davis. Proceeds from the Peace N Philly tee shirts went to support the son of Maurice Kimble who was murdered outside of the popular PYT restaurant in Northern Liberties. During the event, Nehemiah, along with other members of the Neo Daviso foundation presented the Kimble family with a check towards Maurice’s one year son Mhki’s education.
“We decided to hold this town hall meeting because we wanted to show everyone that the violence in the city is not just a concern of older adults, young people are concerned too”, said Davis. Attendees heard from various city politicians including Tony Payton Jr, Janie Blackwell and Philadelphia Assistant DA Kevin Harden Jr. who shared his experiences with the crowd as a young black prosecutor.
“As a black man, I have to look other young black teenagers, some 14, 15, 16 years old, and tell them that they’re going to spend the next 20 or 40 years of their lives in jail”, Harden said. The event was hosted by Radio One on-air personality and community leader Izzo (Jamar Izzard) and Hot 107.9 host Darcel Grant. Leaders also announced follow up events that will be held in the city later this summer.
Arts and Culture meets Penn’s Landing for annual Global Fusion Festival
(Photo by Bill Z. Foster)
On Saturday, Penn’s Landing hosted the Global Fusion Festival with performances by various artists including Kendrick Lamar, Elle Varner and Brandy, Kenny Lattimore and Philadelphia native Cody Kahmar. In addition to the cultural food and clothing vendors, there were also various family oriented activities at the “Rhap-City” kids’ corner including science experiments, KYW mobile Kid Cast and free pedal-boat rides.
There were also appearances at Global Fusion by the various celebrities who were visiting the city for Charlie Mack’s Party for Peace Weekend. The annual event brings thousands of people to Penn’s Landing each year to celebrate and educate attendees on various cultures from around the world, as the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau works to increase multicultural activities and tourism in the city.
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