Welcome to The Philadelphia Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Upcoming Philadelphia 76ers home game

• AI art of the week

• A deep dive into the life of Richard Allen

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“It’s not the mistake that matters, it’s how you interpret the lesson.”

—Michelle C. Ustaszeski

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What was the original purpose of Philadelphia's Fairmount Water Works, located on the Schuylkill River?

A) A public bathhouse

B) A water treatment facility

C) A hydroelectric power plant

D) The city's primary water pumping station

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The name of Philadelphia's historic waterfront district is B) Penn's Landing.

News

💼Business

Business owners push back on effort to ban skills games in Bensalem.(link)

Philadelphia workers at Amazon’s Whole Foods file for first union election.(link)

🏒Sports

Eagles claim former 1st-round pick after injury to Brandon Graham.(link)

Philadelphia Eagles to sell two minority stakes at $8.1B valuation.(link)

🏦Finance

Philadelphia’s Public Health Management Corp. is cutting programs to improve its financial health.(link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏒 Lehigh Valley Phantoms vs. Rockford IceHogs
PPL Center Allentown, PA
Wednesday December 04 | 7:05 PM | (more info)

🏀 Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic
Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia,
Wednesday Dec 04 | 7:30 PM | (more info)

Music & Concerts

🎄 Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey's Christmas Time
Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia,
Tuesday December 03 | 7:30 PM | (more info)

🎤 Wyatt Flores
The Fillmore Philadelphia
Wednesday December 04 | 8:00 PM | (more info)

Family

🎨 Monday S.T.E.A.M. Art
1701 South 15th Street Philadelphia,
Monday, December 2 | 1:30 - 2:30pm EST | (more info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Philadelphia illuminated entirely by bioluminescent plants and structures.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Philadelphia Historical Events

1964: Race riots in North Philadelphia.

The 1964 Philadelphia race riot, also known as the Columbia Avenue Riot, was a significant event that took place in the predominantly black neighborhoods of North Philadelphia from August 28 to August 30, 1964. The riot was sparked by escalating tensions between black residents and the police, fueled by well-publicized allegations of police brutality. The catalyst for the riot was a scuffle between police and a black couple, Rush and Odessa Bradford, at the intersection of 22nd Street and Columbia Avenue. This incident led to three days of rioting, with hundreds of North Philadelphians hurling bottles and bricks at police and looting stores.

The riot left a lasting mark on Philadelphia and was part of a larger wave of civil unrest that swept through cities like Harlem and other urban areas in the summer of 1964. The event was fueled by longstanding grievances of black Philadelphia citizens who had been victimized by police officers for an extended period. The riot also led to widespread rumors, including one about a pregnant African American woman being beaten to death by white police officers, which further fueled the unrest. Civil rights leaders, including Philadelphia NAACP President Cecil B. Moore, attempted to appeal to the crowd to disperse, but their efforts were rebuffed.

The 1964 Philadelphia race riot was a pivotal moment in the city's history, highlighting the deep-seated racial tensions and social injustices that plagued North Philadelphia at the time. The event served as a catalyst for increased activism and advocacy for civil rights and police reform in the city, leaving a lasting impact on the community and shaping the trajectory of race relations in Philadelphia.

Famous People From Philadelphia

Richard Allen (1760–1831): Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Richard Allen: Early Years and Freedom (1760-1780)

Richard Allen, a minister, educator, and writer, was born into slavery on February 14, 1760, presumably in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After attaining his freedom in 1780, he took the last name ""Allen"" and returned to Philadelphia, where he began his journey as a prominent figure in religious and social work.

Richard Allen's Religious and Social Work (1780s-1790s)

In the 1780s and 1790s, Richard Allen became an influential figure in Philadelphia's abolitionist movement. He was a pioneer in the fight for racial equality and social justice, using his platform to advocate for the rights of African Americans. During this time, he also started what would become the largest black church in America, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), after tiring of his former church's practice of segregating the congregation.

Founding the African Methodist Episcopal Church (1794)

In 1794, Richard Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the first independent Black denomination in the United States. He opened his first AME church in 1794 in Philadelphia, marking a significant milestone in his efforts to create a space for African Americans to worship freely and without discrimination.

Richard Allen's Family and Legacy (1790s-1831)

Richard Allen married Sarah Bass, who had moved to Philadelphia as a child, and the couple had six children. His legacy as a leader, activist, and founder of the AME church continued to inspire generations, leaving an indelible mark on the African American community and the history of Philadelphia.

Richard Allen's Key Achievements:

• Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the first independent Black denomination in the United States.

• Pioneered the fight for racial equality and social justice in Philadelphia.

• Established the largest black church in America, the AME, as a space for African Americans to worship freely and without discrimination.

Richard Allen's story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to creating a better future for African Americans. His impact on Philadelphia and the African American community remains a testament to his enduring legacy.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Yannick Lyons

Poll