Also naming the 2900 Block of Dauphin Street as “James Blocker Way.” WHEREAS, James Blocker moved from Greenwood South Carolina to Philadelphia in 1961; and WHEREAS, Prior to moving to Philadelphia, James served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged that same year; and WHEREAS, Upon relocation he moved to the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, where he resided with his Aunt Katherine and Uncle Boyd; and WHEREAS, Mr. Blocker’s main job when he moved to Philadelphia was in construction. He helped build Strawberry Mansion High School and four other schools in Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, After working for six and half years in construction James Blocker realized it was time for a new venture; and WHEREAS, James Blocker tapped into a new set of skills working for seven years as a Navy Yard electrician; and WHEREAS, In 1996 James married the love of his lives Eula Mae Gaskins and they had three children: James Darryl Blocker, Kevin Blocker, and Gregory Blocker; and WHEREAS, In an effort to make a better life for his wife and children, James opened up Mansion Auto Repair in 1974 on the corner of 2301 N 30th Street; and WHEREAS, Through James L. Blocker's vision, Mansion Auto has evolved into a multi-generational, Black-owned business, proudly owned and operated by the community, for the community; and WHEREAS, Mansion Auto became a pillar of the community and was also a Safe Haven Corridor for neighborhood children; and WHEREAS, James Blocker's vision continues to thri…
CITY COUNCIL
This Resolution was ADOPTED.
CITY COUNCIL
This Resolution was Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar.