City Announces Members of the First Ever Philadelphia Millennial Advisory Committee

PHILADELPHIA – Today Mayor Jim Kenney and the Office of Public Engagement (OPE) announced the members of the city’s newly-formed Philadelphia Millennial Advisory Committee.  The committee is comprised of 21 members between 23 and 34 years old, who hail from different neighborhoods and diverse walks of life and experiences.

“I want to urge the members of this committee, as well as the 400 millennials that applied to continue to take their passion and energy to causes that make Philadelphia a better place for all of us,” said Mayor Kenney.  “We need the energy and fresh ideas of Millennials to help us tackle the problems that we’ve faced for generations.”

Demographers usually define Millennials as being born in the 1980s and 1990s, and this demographic group represents the next generation of residents who will live, work, play, and, one day, lead Philadelphia.  The growth of Philly’s Millennial population continues to climb, making the Millennials the largest generational group in the city.  According to Pew Charitable Trusts, an increase in the number of Millennials, along with an influx of immigrants, reversed a 50-year population decline for the city.

The Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement to broadly solicited members to serve on this committee, and over 400 people submitted an online application.

“The response was very heartening and we are lucky to have an engaged citizenry in our Millennials who care about being an inclusive city,” said Dr. Nina Ahmad, Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement. “As the largest generational group in the city, Millennials are poised to lead our city for the next 30 to 40 years, and having their voice reflected in the work of the City today is integral to Mayor Kenney’s vision.”

This Millennial Advisory Committee will perform the following duties:

  • Advise the City on policies, programs, and actions affecting Millennials
  • Help develop initiatives focused on attracting and keeping Millennial residents
  • Connect this generation to engagement opportunities with the larger community
  • Create a mentorship model to help engage those new or returning to citizenship

Member of the Commission are as follows:

  • Nicole Allen White, Director of Government and External Affairs, Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Fatima Baig, Teacher, Prince Hall Elementary
  • Brandi Baldwin-Rana, PhD, Founder, Millennial Ventures
  • Nigel Charles, Community Development Assistant, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
  • Alexis De La Rosa, Assistant Resident Director, University of Pennsylvania PENNCAP
  • Julian Domanico, Fundraising and Development Consultant, The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP)
  • Michelle Feldman, Executive Director, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful
  • Terrell Green, Theatre Artist and Master Class Facilitator, CCP ACE+ and Greater Phila. Cultural Alliance WorkReady Program
  • Tierra Holmes, Community Partnerships Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA
  • Penda Howell, Marketing and Membership Associate, The Energy Cooperative
  • Joe Lee, Public Space Researcher, PennPraxis
  • Steven McFarland, Teacher, Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia Charter School, Teach for America Corps Member
  • Sebastian Ramirez, Radiologic Technologist, Jefferson Urgent Care and Pennsylvania Hospital
  • David Rosenblum, Photographer/Owner, Dave Rose Photography
  • Jasmine Sadat, Deputy Director-Southeast Region, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
  • Kyle Shenandoah, Office Manager and Senior Tax Specialist, H&R Block
  • Patrick Sherlock, Director of University Relations and Student Engagement, Campus Philly
  • Raymond Smeriglio, Assistant Director of Athletics Development, Temple University Athletics
  • Alonzo South, Senior Manager of Strategic Planning & New Business Development, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
  • Leah Tucker, Grassroots Organizer, Planned Parenthood
  • Dafina Williams, Vice President of Public Policy, Opportunity Finance Network

Committee members convened the first meeting today, and will meet monthly at various locations throughout the city.

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