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Honorable Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia
2024 Innovation Award - Community Advocate

Cherelle L. Parker is the 100th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia and its first woman Mayor in its 341-year history. Born to a single teenage mother and raised by her grandparents, James and Dorothy Parker, Mayor Parker is a Philadelphia native. The power of a village – her family and her community – and their belief in the power of education gave her the opportunity to succeed. A graduate of Philadelphia public schools, Mayor Parker, was the first person in her family to go to college, earning her bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University, where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught public school as a high school English teacher and ESL teacher, working with immigrant children and adults. The future Mayor also subsequently earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Inspired to public service by Philadelphia Councilmember Marian Tasco, whom she interned for, the future Mayor worked in Councilmember Tasco’s office and rose to serve as a senior staffer where she oversaw – among many duties – all economic
and community development initiatives that helped neighborhoods and business corridors thrive in the 9th Council District. By the time she left, she was one of Councilwoman Tasco’s most trusted advisors. 

The future Mayor was elected to the  Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent the 200th District in Northwest Philadelphia and served ten years. She made history as the youngest Black woman elected to the State Legislature after winning her election. In Harrisburg, her colleagues elected her to chair the Philadelphia Delegation, and her leadership in the role earned her a reputation as one of the most effective legislators in Harrisburg. She was elected to the City Council in 2015 to represent the 9th Council District, and by 2019, was elected by her peers to serve as City Council Majority Leader. In the 2023 election for Mayor, Cherelle L. Parker won a highly competitive Democratic Primary and General Election to become the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman ever to hold the office.

A mom, a teacher, and a strong, experienced leader, Mayor Parker’s agenda includes creating a safer, cleaner, greener Philadelphia with access to economic opportunity for all. She spends her time outside the office at home with her son, Langston, and their dog, Max.

Honorable Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia
2024 Innovation Award - Community Advocate

Cherelle L. Parker is the 100th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia and its first woman Mayor in its 341-year history. Born to a single teenage mother and raised by her grandparents, James and Dorothy Parker, Mayor Parker is a Philadelphia native. The power of a village – her family and her community – and their belief in the power of education gave her the opportunity to succeed. A graduate of Philadelphia public schools, Mayor Parker, was the first person in her family to go to college, earning her bachelor’s degree from Lincoln University, where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. After receiving her undergraduate degree, she taught public school as a high school English teacher and ESL teacher, working with immigrant children and adults. The future Mayor also subsequently earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Inspired to public service by Philadelphia Councilmember Marian Tasco, whom she interned for, the future Mayor worked in Councilmember Tasco’s office and rose to serve as a senior staffer where she oversaw – among many duties – all economic
and community development initiatives that helped neighborhoods and business corridors thrive in the 9th Council District. By the time she left, she was one of Councilwoman Tasco’s most trusted advisors. 

The future Mayor was elected to the  Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent the 200th District in Northwest Philadelphia and served ten years. She made history as the youngest Black woman elected to the State Legislature after winning her election. In Harrisburg, her colleagues elected her to chair the Philadelphia Delegation, and her leadership in the role earned her a reputation as one of the most effective legislators in Harrisburg. She was elected to the City Council in 2015 to represent the 9th Council District, and by 2019, was elected by her peers to serve as City Council Majority Leader. In the 2023 election for Mayor, Cherelle L. Parker won a highly competitive Democratic Primary and General Election to become the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman ever to hold the office.

A mom, a teacher, and a strong, experienced leader, Mayor Parker’s agenda includes creating a safer, cleaner, greener Philadelphia with access to economic opportunity for all. She spends her time outside the office at home with her son, Langston, and their dog, Max.