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Art, Culture, History

Germantown Community Identity Project Announcement

DEC 2024 UPDATE: After gathering over 500 survey responses from neighbors and business owners, Germantown United CDC is thrilled to have kicked off the design process with Pixel Parlor! This initiative is the start of a bold journey to translate Germantown’s unique character into a vibrant and cohesive visual identity that honors our past and envisions a bright future. Designs are anticipated to be completed by early 2025, with street banners and other visual elements set to debut later in the year.

Germantown United CDC is thrilled to announce the launch of an innovative initiative aimed at translating the essence of Germantown into a dynamic, cohesive visual identity. Through the creation of new logos, color palettes, and taglines, we plan to harness the power of place to align vision and message and foster a sense of unity in the community. This project will bring the neighborhood together and connect Germantown’s commercial corridors through a visual identity that respects Germantown’s enduring character, and celebrates its rich history and promising future.

This initiative is specially crafted to uplift Germantown’s small business community. Our aim with this project is to not only spotlight the invaluable contributions of our local entrepreneurs but also to boost visibility and foot traffic to their establishments. By creating a vibrant and unified identity for Germantown, we aspire to enhance the local business landscape and improve the overall economic vitality of our community.

To make this project a reality, Germantown United CDC has partnered with Pixel Parlor, a creative agency known for its expertise in helping communities express their unique character. Pixel Parlor has a proven track record of collaborating with CDCs, local groups, businesses, and community organizations, assisting them in discovering and expressing the distinctive identity of their locations.

We’ll be working on this project throughout the fall and into the winter, and we invite you to be part of this exciting transformation. Read on for more project details.

Project Overview

PHASE 1: CAPTURING YOUR VOICE AND VISION
Our collaborative discovery and visioning process will lay the groundwork for this project. We’re kicking things off with a community survey. We aim to hear from a minimum of 500 residents, business owners, and neighborhood stakeholders.

To ensure that your perspectives guide this initiative, take the survey today. It will only take about 7-10 minutes to complete, and all responses are kept strictly confidential. For those who prefer paper surveys, printed copies are available at Germantown United CDC’s office, with additional distribution locations to be announced soon. Please call (215) 856-4303 to confirm availability.

Community Survey

We’re also exploring alternative outreach methods, including in-person surveys at community gatherings and high-traffic areas. We’re enlisting Community Connectors like you to help spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors in Germantown. You can assist by sharing the survey link on social media, distributing flyers in your neighborhood, sharing it within your civic association email list, or including it in your church bulletin. If you’re interested in supporting our outreach efforts, please contact us, and we’ll provide all the necessary resources!

PHASE 2: CRAFTING OUR IDENTITY
A community identity is more than just symbols and logos. Our goal is to celebrate our community—the unique streetscapes, defining businesses, and the residents who contribute to its vibrant character, making it an exceptional place to call home.

*Visual design elements celebrating Philadelphia’s East Falls, Chestnut Hill and Old City neighborhoods.*

PHASE 3: STREET BANNERS
Imagine Germantown’s streets adorned with banners celebrating our neighborhood! During this phase, we’ll bring our design concepts to life and collaborate with expert partners for production. These banners will enhance Germantown’s visual landscape and are scheduled for installation in early 2024. While exact locations are yet to be determined, we’re considering Chelten Avenue, Germantown Avenue, Maplewood Mall, and sections of Wayne Avenue.

*Banners promoting the Baltimore Avenue commercial corridor in West Philly, a project of University City District and the Baltimore Avenue Business Association. Learn more.*

Define Germantown together. Take the survey.

PHASE 4: CELEBRATING LOCAL ARTISTRY
Germantown boasts an incredibly talented and creative community, and we’re excited to showcase their creativity as never before. We’ll be hosting a design competition for a series of Artist Banners and BigBelly Wraps (large trash compactors used by the city). Local artists are invited to infuse the new community identity into their designs.

*Example of an artist designed BigBelly litter basket*

GET INVOLVED
Throughout this journey, your voice remains invaluable. We encourage you to engage, participate in meetings, and share your feedback. Together, we’ll craft a community identity that reflects the energy, vibrancy, and aspirations that define Germantown.

Take the survey here. It should take around 7-10 minutes to complete. All responses will be confidential.

Community Survey

New 2016 Community Grant Program Application Deadlines, Germantown United CDC Announces 2015 “Fund for Germantown” Micro-grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA (March 31, 2016): In an effort to align grant funding for community improvement efforts with the warmer weather months for outdoor projects, Germantown United CDC (GUCDC) is changing the grant application dates for the Fund for Germantown, the organization’s micro-grant program supporting community-driven beautification projects in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. In 2016, the deadlines will be Friday, April 15, and Friday, September 30. Funding guidelines may be found on Germantown United’s website at www.germantownunitedcdc.org. To request an application, email [email protected] or call 215-856-4303.

Germantown United CDC distributes small grants ranging from $100 to $1000 to local organizations, civic associations, businesses, and individuals seeking to beautify the Germantown neighborhood. The grant program is part of GUCDC’s ongoing efforts to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development.

The focus of the Fund for Germantown is to support projects that will have an immediate physical impact on the neighborhood. The fund provides grants for physical improvements across Germantown including, but not limited to, landscaping, signage, painting, reclaiming empty lots, and waste removal.

Germantown United CDC is proud to announce all 2015 grantees

Since the Fund for Germantown launched, 19 micro-grants have been awarded, with funds supporting a wide range of projects from greening to murals, neighborhood bulletin boards, cleanups and other community-building activities.

In 2015, seven projects were funded in the July 2015 round, and two were funded for the December 31 round.

Winning project ideas from 2015 include:

Business owner Lynn Washington will install a ‘Little Free Library’ to the front of Books & Stuff, her bookstore located at 23 W Maplewood Mall.
Residents Clint Steib and Villia Lateef will lead their neighbors in a planting and beautification project on the 4500 and 4600 blocks of Greene Street aimed at traffic calming.
Artist and photographer Tieshka Smith will launch the Peaceful Places public signage project in Germantown’s storied Penn-Knox neighborhood, next to the Central Germantown business corridor
Fitler Academics Plus, a public elementary school in Germantown serving students in grades one through eight located at 140 W Seymour St (at Knox St) will paint ground murals and organized games in the school’s playground
West Central Germantown Neighbors civic association will enhance their community orchard and garden project at the Tulpehocken Train Station, a SEPTA Regional Rail station at 333 W Tulpehocken St (off Walnut Ln and Wayne Ave)
Support to sustain the ongoing streetscape beautification efforts of Men Who Care of Germantown around their headquarters at 180 East Tulpehocken St (at Morton St)
The Imperfect Gallery will install an interactive sidewalk mural outside of the gallery and community space at 5601 Greene St, adjacent to the Maplewood Mall pedestrian plaza and shopping corridor
Freedom Gardens, a project by Germantown resident Susan Guggenheim, will connect local gardeners who would like to share their crop free of charge with Germantown residents looking to improve their diets with home-grown produce; Freedom Gardens will be identified by lawn signs and online via Google Maps
Support to sustain Chew-Belfield Neighbors Club’s ongoing cleaning and beautification projects in East Germantown

The Fund for Germantown us supported through generous seed funding by local real estate developers Howard Treatman and Ken Weinstein. “We are excited to support these small projects that have a big impact”, says funder Ken Weinstein. “These kinds of initiatives are exactly what we had in mind when we envisioned the Fund for Germantown”, said Howard Treatman. “It’s been great to see how Germantown United has been able to empower the community and leverage grassroots efforts.”

About Germantown United CDC

Germantown United Community Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 organization that was created to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown’s business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Founded in 2011, Germantown United CDC’s focus is to work with residents, businesses and community organizations to create an inspirational vision of Germantown’s business corridors and surrounding neighborhoods, create innovative case studies and sustainable business models to attract green-oriented developers, and recruit forward-thinking investors committed to fostering sustainable economic growth and development for all Germantown residents. Learn more at http://germantownunitedcdc.org.

Contact
Germantown United CDC
Andy Trackman, [email protected]
Emaleigh Doley, [email protected]
Office: 215.856.4303

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Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, May 12

The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The festival will take place at Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Avenue) and along Germantown Avenue, between School House Lane and Coulter Street, which will be closed to traffic. Rain or shine.

The community festival, presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United Community Development Corporation, invites the public to experience Germantown. The festival celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Check out the full list of featured performers, learn about participating vendors, and see photos from past festivals >>

Seeking Community Organizations, Food Vendors, Art, Craft, and Other Merchants

Germantown United CDC and Historic Germantown are currently seeking community organizations, food vendors, art, craft, and other merchants to participate in the Vendor Marketplace at the 4th annual festival Germantown Second Saturday Festival.

To apply, fill out the registration form below.

Registration closes Friday, April 27.

Learn more about the Festival and view photos of past events >>

Experience Germantown! Germantown Second Saturday Festival is Saturday, May 12

The Germantown Second Saturday Festival will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 12pm to 5pm in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. The community festival invites the public to experience Germantown, celebrates the kick-off the Second Saturday series–when all 16 Historic Germantown sites are open monthly–and showcases the many thriving cultural, civic, and business attractions and activities that make Germantown an exciting place to live and visit.

Presented by Historic Germantown and Germantown United CDC, the festival will take place along a one-block stretch of Germantown Avenue, between School House Ln and Coulter St, and surround Market Square Park (5501 Germantown Ave). Featuring: Live Music & Performance, Food Trucks, Art & Craft Marketplace, Historic Re-enactors, Family Friendly Programs, Free Bus & Walking Tours of Historic Germantown Sites.

Follow this event page for more information as it becomes available >>

Germantown Community Radio now live at 92.9 on the FM dial

The Germantown Community Radio Partners will celebrate the launch of Germantown’s new low power FM radio station on Saturday, February 17 from 2pm to 5pm with special on-air programming and satellite listening parties. 92.9 FM is Germantown Community Radio: All Germantown All the Time. Now broadcasting live from downtown Germantown, the station features locally produced and syndicated non-commercial programming.

The festivities on February 17th include two pop-up listening parties featuring meet-and-greets with show hosts, giveaways, and the opportunity to record an interview for radio broadcast. The listening parties will be held at Germantown Life Enrichment Center (5722 Greene St) from 2pm to 4pm, and Germantown Espresso Bar (26 Maplewood Mall) from 2pm to 5pm.

Representatives from the Germantown Community Radio Partners will also be live in the studio from 2pm – 5pm, located at the headquarters of G-town Radio (26 Maplewood Mall). On-air programming will include an introduction of new radio hosts, special guests from the Germantown community, a sneak peek at exciting programming in the works, and other behind the scenes stories. Listeners are encouraged to call the studio at 215-609-4301 and get on the air.

Getting on the FM dial

Back in 2013, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that low-power radio frequencies would be distributed to community nonprofit organizations across the country. In Philadelphia a number of organizations applied, including several groups based in Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. In 2017, the three Germantown community organizations that were successfully granted licenses from the FCC fulfilled the four-year quest to bring a unifying voice to Philly’s diverse Germantown. The organizations, now cooperating as the Germantown Community Radio Partners, are: WGGT-LP G-town Radio, a robust community internet radio station; WRGU-LP Germantown United Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development; and WRLG-LP Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC), a community-oriented recreational and educational facility in the heart of Germantown. Each group operates independently under the auspices of their parent nonprofits.

The partners agreed to form a time-share, at the request of the FCC, and invest in a broadcast tower to get on the air. During this lengthy process, the timeshare partners had to defend a legal challenge to their license that went all the way to Federal Court before they finally prevailed in the summer of 2017.

In January 2018, the community radio station tower and transmitter was constructed and installed atop the tallest building in Germantown, Interfaith House of Germantown (18 W Chelten Ave). Listeners can now tune in to 92.9 on the FM dial. The broadcast signal will easily reach all of Germantown, and adjacent neighborhoods––from Nicetown to Chestnut Hill, East Falls and Roxborough to Glenside, and places in between.

Germantown has access to this frequency 4 1/2 days a week from noon on Wednesdays to midnight on Sunday. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday morning, 92.9 FM will be off-air in Germantown. (The frequency is also shared with a group in South Philadelphia, who will be on-air in their neighborhood during that time.) Streaming will also be available at gtownradio.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About Germantown Community Radio Partners

WGGT-LP
G-town Radio
26 Maplewood Mall
[email protected]
215-609-4301
gtownradio.com

G-town Radio is a community internet radio station that broadcast 24 hours a day. G-town Radio strives to level the playing field of media access by focusing on the neighborhood of Germantown, the surrounding communities and all of Philadelphia. Our mission is to be an exceptional outlet for local content, community news, and a diverse spectrum of music. We broadcast sounds, ideas, and talk not found on mainstream media. It is our belief that a strong community is one that offers a platform for neighbors, community members and listeners to share news and generate discussion on topics that impact our neighborhood, our city and the world.

WRGU-LP
Germantown United CDC
5320 Germantown Ave
[email protected]
215-856-4303
germantownunitedcdc.org

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business district in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Vibrant commercial corridors or “Main Streets” contribute to strong neighborhoods. They provide a place to work, shop, and meet your neighbors. Through our Targeted Corridor Management Program contract with the city’s Commerce Department, Germantown United CDC provides assistance to businesses, brings planning and resources to the corridor, oversees activities to make the corridor clean and safe, and works to attract new businesses to the area. We are actively working to bolster and reinforce the vibrancy of the business district to meet the needs of the surrounding community and attract visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood. Germantown United CDC is also exploring opportunities to strengthen and diversify the mix of commercial uses in the business district, the potential to reuse vacant or underutilized properties, business and job attraction strategies, and available sources of funding to support recommended revitalization strategies.

WRLG-LP
Germantown Life Enrichment Center
5722 Greene St
[email protected]
215-844-3281
glifecenter.org

The Germantown Life Enrichment Center (GLEC) was founded in 1871 as the YMCA of Germantown and became an independent organization in 2010. GLEC provides recreational facilities for all ages – a fitness center, pool, courts, afterschool and camp for children, classes, social activities and community meeting spaces – as well as a 128-unit residence for low-income men. It also houses a small radio production studio.

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Download a PDF of the press release >>

Karen Singer Tileworks Celebrates 25 years in Germantown with Celebration on Nov. 25

Every year Germantown United CDC commissions longtime Germantown business Karen Singer Tileworks Inc. to design a commemorative tile featuring an iconic G’town building. So far, we’ve created tiles of Town Hall and the YWCA. This year we’re asking YOU to help us pick.

The buildings we’re considering include the historic Loudoun Mansion at 4650 Germantown Ave, Germantown High School at 40 High St, and Vernon House (Black Writer’s Museum) at 4800 Germantown Avenue in Vernon Park. Vote on which building you’d like to see made into a tile this year! One lucky voter will win a decorative tile. Vote online here.

This holiday season, Karen Singer Tilesworks will celebrate 25 years in business in Germantown with a celebratory party and seasonal sale on Friday, November 25^th from 4 – 8 p.m. at the tile studio, located at 90 E Church Lane, Philadelphia, Pa. 19144. ‘Tis the season to shop small and buy local! Read on to learn more about Karen’s contributions to the Germantown community and support this independent business.

Karen Singer Tileworks Celebrates 25 years in Germantown
November 25^th marks the day! Start off the holiday season at KST Studio

Anniversary Sale-A-Bration November 25^th, 25% off gallery items, until Dec 25^th… Get it?
www.KarenSinger.com

Celebrate with KST, 25 years of story telling through art tiles, murals, and donor walls. 25 years of helping non-profits create a visual representation of their mission, 25 years of giving back to the community of Germantown and Greater Northwest.

Karen has her studio and home in Germantown for 25 years and is going strong. She is not only of this Germantown community but she is fully engaged in it. As a former Pa Arts in Education Resident Karen has conducted workshops engaging students in the art making process and installed tiled murals in Houston Elementary, Kelly Elementary among others and done the same at Project Learn and Henry School pro bono as part of her ethic of giving back to the community.

She is part of the fundraising committee at Germantown United CDC creating an annual tile representing an aspect of Germantown history, as a fundraising incentive for those who donate a certain amount thereby helping sustain the good works of GUCDC.

Please join us November 25^th from 4 – 8 p.m.

Karen Singer Tileworks
90 E Church Lane
Philadelphia, Pa. 19144

Local Music: Buy the “For the Love of Germantown” Benefit Album

Philadelphia is home to strong musical traditions like Jazz, Gospel, DooWop, R&B, Rock and Hiphop. Our greatest strength has been the unexpected and wonderful blending and swirling of these traditions into new and fascinating musical creations. One place where this magic happens is Germantown. This community in the Northwestern region of Philadelphia was and continues to be a neighborhood rich in culture, history and diverstity. Many renowned Philadelphia musicians, writers, visual artists, media makers and dancers grew up, or made their homes in Germantown.

In the Spring of 2016, Philadelphia Jazz Project began a collaboration with Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) and a group of talented Germantown musicians. The task: To record and produce a compelling CD, as a fundraiser for GUCDC. The goal: To celebrate the historical cultural strength and diversity of Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown community. The culminating album – entitled “For the Love of Germantown” – is a compilation of nine great Jazz, Blues and Soul performances of new and classic songs. Featured album artists include: Jim Dragoni, Bethlehem & Sad Patrick, Karen Smith, DM Hotep (David Middleton), Kunu Bi with Papa Ed Stokes & Tom Lowery, Mélange Jazz Collective with Bert Harris, Tony Williams & Dave Posmontier, Rob Henderson, and John Blake & Steve Giordano Duo.

‘Tis the season to shop small and buy local! Make a donation of $15 to Germantown United CDC to receive your very own copy. “For the Love of Germantown!” is another great way for you to support Germantown’s burgeoning arts scene, and Germantown United CDC’s creative and community driven approach to economic development.

BUY THE CD ONLINE

The album, produced by Philadelphia Jazz Project’s Homer Jackson, was released on October 30, 2016 and celebrated with a live jam session and album release party at Germantown’s Rittenhouse Soundworks.

Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.

Download the press release as a PDF >>

“This is Germantown Heart & Soul” Winter Community Gatherings

Ask Residents to Guide Neighborhood Development in Northwest Philadelphia
Through Creative Participatory Planning Process, beginning November 19th

Germantown, Philadelphia, PA – This is Germantown Heart & Soul, a project of Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) and Just Act, will host a series of community gatherings throughout Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood this winter beginning on November 19, 2016. The Germantown community is invited to participate in a unique interactive group storytelling experience. Unlike traditional civic meetings and town halls, the events – called Story Circles – use theater as a planning tool and center on capturing the wishes, needs, and ideas of residents as they share personal stories of meaningful experiences in Germantown and what they view as essential for growth of the neighborhood’s vibrant but struggling shopping district. A calendar of events is included below, with additional dates to be announced.

Story Circles will be facilitated by a multigenerational “Storytelling Engagement Team” comprised of Germantown residents, with support from the Just Act Ensemble. The collected stories will guide Germantown United CDC’s future work and plans for successful, community-responsive business corridor revitalization and contribute to efforts underway to make the central business district a people-centered main street destination for the Germantown community and visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood.

“This is Germantown Heart & Soul aims to create a shared sense of belonging that ultimately improves local decision-making and strengthens social, cultural, and economic vibrancy,” said Emaleigh Doley, Commercial Corridor Manager at Germantown United CDC. “Germantown is one of the city’s largest neighborhoods, with a population of 44,000. It’s important to recognize that the immediate needs of residents living in the Chew and Belfield area of East Germantown might differ from those in West Germantown’s Penn-Knox section, for example. That doesn’t mean the Eastside and the Westside have nothing in common. We also all share the business district.”

A core goal of the project is to connect both the formal and informal networks contributing to community improvement efforts and operating at the micro level – from block captains to Registered Community Organizations (RCOs) and neighborhood civics with limited boundaries.

Scenes from the This is Heart & Soul pop-up story booth at the Friends of Vernon Park Spring Bazaar, October 8, 2016; Park(ing) Day Philadelphia installation, September 16, 2016; and Maple Village Story Gathering, October 18, 2016.

“These story sharing events build upon an interest and commitment in helping communities adapt and implement positive changes based upon the vision and experiences of all community members and create new opportunities for residents and community stakeholders to meet in-person,” said Lisa Jo Epstein, Executive Director of Just Act.

This is Germantown Heart & Soul made its public debut in the spring of 2016 through a series of successful pop-up story booths held along the business district at a variety of spaces, from the bustling intersection of Germantown and Chelten Avenues to the annual Juneteenth Celebration, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, organized by the Johnson House Historic Site. The Story Engagement Team was formed in the summer and fall of 2016 and has been meeting regularly to train for and plan the upcoming Story Circles events. The Germantown Life Enrichment Center, a community-oriented recreational and educational facility in the heart of Germantown at 5722 Greene Street, generously donated meeting space for the team and is one of several This is Germantown Heart & Soul sponsoring organizations.

Story Engagement Team training sessions.

With the addition of the more intimate Story Circles series, This is Germantown Heart & Soul will:

Build, diversify, and strengthen resident engagement with and collective participation in civic process to increase impact and positively affect neighborhood-wide planning decisions;
Strengthen resident readiness for, and engagement in the Philadelphia City Planning Commission’s “Philadelphia2035” District Planning process for the Upper Northwest, slated for 2017-2018;
Expand who participates in public processes related to real estate development and neighborhood revitalization by engaging isolated and diverse resident groups;
Cultivate and/or improve relationships, social community cohesion and stewardship of place.

The collected data will also become the highlight of “Community Cataloguing Data Jams” – events in January 2017 where participants will listen to transcripts of stories from their neighbors to collectively identify and catalogue shared visions for what the community values.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The current calendar of events is included below. Additional dates will be added. All Germantown residents and community stakeholders are invited. Events are open to the public. Food and refreshments will be provided, along with live music and good cheer. Attend one or attend them all. For an up-to-date program calendar visit facebook.com/thisisgermantownheartandsoul. Contact Germantown United CDC at 215-856-4303 or [email protected].

Saturday, November 19 from 4 – 6 p.m.
Location: Providence Baptist Church, 87 E. Haines Street, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Sponsoring Community Organization: Providence Baptist Church

Monday, December 5 from 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Awbury Arboreteum, 1 Awbury Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Sponsoring Community Organization: Awbury Arboretum Neighbors, Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club, and Awbury Arboreteum

Tuesday, December 13 from 7 – 9 p.m.
Location: Germantown Mennonite Church, 21 W Washington Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Sponsoring Community Organization: Pastorius Community Garden, Men Who Care of Germantown, Germantown Mennonite Church, and Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust

About Germantown United Community Development Corporation

Germantown United Community Development Corporation (GUCDC) is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of the business district in the Germantown neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development. Vibrant commercial corridors or “Main Streets” contribute to strong neighborhoods. They provide a place to work, shop, and meet your neighbors. Through our Targeted Corridor Management Program contract with the city’s Commerce Department, Germantown United CDC provides assistance to businesses, brings planning and resources to the corridor, oversees activities to make the corridor clean and safe, and works to attract new businesses to the area. We are actively working to bolster and reinforce the vibrancy of the business district to meet the needs of the surrounding community and attract visitors from outside the immediate neighborhood. Germantown United CDC is also exploring opportunities to strengthen and diversify the mix of commercial uses in the business district, the potential to reuse vacant or underutilized properties, business and job attraction strategies, and available sources of funding to support recommended revitalization strategies.

Website: http://germantownunitedcdc.org
Social: facebook.com/germantowncdc | twitter.com/germantowncdc | instagram.com/germantowncdc

About Just Act

Just Act is a distinctive hybrid of artistic and community engagement committed to social justice. Our Ensemble of artist-educators facilitate unique theatre-based programs with non-actors that activate and nurture meaningful dialogue, reflection, healing and action around complex, often divisive social issues. Just Act is committed to building and fortifying inclusive, restorative civic engagement through partnerships across sectors and differences. Informed by Theatre of the Oppressed and other art and activist strategies, our work is a creative catalyst for community activism and personal change. In all we undertake, Just Act renews and deepens the capacity of social change seekers and makers to stand up for justice on personal, inter-group and systemic levels with compassion and renewed courage. In these times of anxiety, bustle and disconnection, Just Act offers refreshing, participatory “refuel zones” to creatively pause and attend to tension and fractured relations – particularly around race, culture, and socio-economic disparities – to reweave connections and grow empathy, understanding and action plans.

Website: http://www.justact.org
Social: facebook.com/justact.today | twitter.com/JustActToday

Media Contact:
Emaleigh Doley
Commercial Corridor Manager, Germantown United CDC
Office: 215-856-4303
Mobile: 610-331-3758
[email protected]

Lisa Jo Epstein
Executive Director, Just Act
Mobile: 215-290-9784
[email protected]

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CD Release Party with Germantown United & Philadelphia Jazz Project, Sunday, October 30, 2016

Germantown United CDC and Philly Jazz Project are proud to announce the release of a brand new musical album featuring a lineup of superb local acts generously displaying their talents, “For the Love of Germantown!” On Sunday, October 30, 2016 from 4 PM – 6 PM join us at Rittenhouse Soundworks (219 W Rittenhouse St) to hear the artists perform a live show, enjoy an open bar and good cheer, and take home your own copy of this never-before-heard compilation of music inspired by Germantown. The product of two years of planning and effort by the Philadelphia Jazz Project and producer, Homer Jackson, “For the Love of Germantown!” is another great way for you to support Germantown’s burgeoning arts scene, and Germantown United’s creative and community driven approach to economic development.

Featured artists on the album include: Bethlehem & Sad Patrick, DM Hotep (David Middleton), Jim Dragoni, John Blake & Steve Giordano Duo, Karen Smith, Kunu Bi, Melange Jazz Collective, Rob Henderson, Tony Williams & Dave Posmontier, and many others.

And there’s more: attendees will witness the unveiling of Germantown’s new online business directory, and have the honor of being the first contributors as we kick off our 2016 grassroots growth campaign aiming to raise $40,000 to ensure our ongoing work in 2017! All proceeds raised from this event will be added to our fund.

Tickets: $15 Admission Only; $30 Admission + Copy of the CD; $20 CD Only

The Philadelphia Jazz Project is a sponsored project of the Culture Trust | Greater Philadelphia, with funding provided by The Wyncote Foundation.

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