City of Philly creates an office of HBCU/BGLO Engagement

[get these nets]

Philly gets new officers including one for historically Black colleges and 'greek' life​

03/21/25

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker told an audience in her reception room Friday that a recent event at the nearby Philadelphia Marriott Downtown hotel reminded her of how integral the Divine Nine organizations and historically Black colleges and universities are to the nation's history.
She said this before announcing Robin Torrence as the city's first director of Pan Hellenic and HBCU Engagement.
Torrence was one of seven new hires for the Parker administration introduced. Some will fill previous roles, like Joseph Brasky as the commissioner of the Department of Public Property. New positions have also been added, like Torrence's, to find new solutions and fulfill Parker's promises to the city.

Parker said the position was an idea from her time in City Council and wondering how the city could better harness the potential of the residents who attended HBCUs and were in the Pan Hellenic organizations.

Torrence, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., like Parker, worked previously in the Mayor's Office of Education. She has also been a teacher, social worker, and involved with an Out-of-School Time program.
“I am so excited about this position,” Torrence said. “It's as if it was created for me. I'm very passionate about my roots, I'm passionate about being a Divine Nine. I'm very passionate about being an HBCU alum. The Divine Nines and HBCUs will be doing a lot moving forward. You will see us and you will see the shields of all organizations.”


While the federal government continues to remove protections for historically disadvantaged communities, Parker seeks to add them locally. She appointed longtime community development expert Andy Toy as director of the Home Appraisal Equity Program. Nadir Jones, who has worked as the Diversity Sourcing Manager for real estate powerhouse CBRE will serve as director of Business Impact and Supplier Diversity in the Office of Business Impact and Economic Advancement.
“His experience is in leading in diversity and we're not shying away from that role in any way, shape or form,” Parker said of Jones. “Encouraging the success of minority and women-owned firms, it is a critical importance to the Parker administration, and it is a vital part of our commitment to promoting access to economic opportunity for all.”
Toy will lead a program aimed to eliminate biases in home appraisals. Philadelphia continues to reappraise homes, which has led to spikes in values and tax bills. However, many properties are still undervalued, and Parker said she wants to see more fair assessments performed by the city.
The new hires bring diverse resumes to City Hall. New Procurement Department commissioner Ronald Hovey previously worked with Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Tyrell Brown, the new director of LBGTQ+ Affairs started Philly Pride 365 and was executive director for LGBTQIA and BIPOC social justice organization Galaei. The new Chief Strategy and Partnership officer Patricia Wellenbach was president and CEO of the Please Touch Museum and is board chair at Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University.
Parker did not take questions at the press event, just three days before her speech on her major housing plan, to be delivered at a special session of City Council.

@Rollie Forbes @DrBanneker @Geode @im_sleep @Buddy @invalid @CoryMack @EndDomination @Wargames @staticshock

 

[Wargames]

I love this. States and Cities need to promote diversity while the federal government rots. After this phase is over these will be the people who have to reintroduce diversity back to the federal government.

 

[Buddy]

This could be the blueprint for cities to move during this administration

 

[get these nets]

This could be the blueprint for cities to move during this administration

She said this before announcing Robin Torrence as the city's first director of Pan Hellenic and HBCU Engagement.


Torrence, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., like Parker

 

[Geode]

I like the sound of this, but BGLOs have taken a hit in the last few years, not including this election. They have to do better in repairing their image as elite social clubs. I need to see less posturing and more consistent grassroots action. Over the past decade and a half, I've seen people flock to these orgs as a way to "get something" and once the get it, never to be seen again or just hanging out with 'nalia on.

The root of these orgs were to have those who had the privilege to be educated to do work to improve the community in ways that others could not. They were to be one part of a plan that had/has the community working as a whole. That means also connecting to non-BGLO groups and community members also doing the work.


I hope this is a step in the right direction.

 

[Neuromancer]

I love this. States and Cities need to promote diversity while the federal government rots. After this phase is over these will be the people who have to reintroduce diversity back to the federal government.

Problem is a lot of places get fed funding and rely on it to create and maintain programs.