Mable E. Welborn, if you don’t know the name, you should. When I think about African American women at the top of their game who have been making a difference in a positive way for many years in the city of Philadelphia, Mable Welborn is a name that comes to mind. Putting it simply, Mable Welborn ain’t no joke! She’s the real ‘authentic’ example of what a strong African American woman is.
As far as I’m concerned, Mable Welborn represents the epitome of everything that Rev. R. Leon Sullivan, the Lion of Zion stood for. Just to give you a little bit of history for those of you who may be reading this column and are not familiar with some of Philadelphia’s history, Rev. Leon Sullivan was the Pastor of Zion Baptist Church at Broad and Venango in North Philadelphia for many years. He was also the founder of O.I.C., Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, O.I.C. International, and O.I.C. Philadelphia.
Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker delivered her first budget address before Philadelphia City Council, and Mable Welborn was one of the women of our city who looked on with great pride and interest. For a woman who has lived more than seven decades, it was with great joy that Welborn hung on to the mayor’s every word.
Mable Welborn stated, “Based on what I heard in Mayor Parker’s budget address, she wants to spend funding in all the right places for Philadelphia. Based on who helped to prepare Mayor Parker for her position, it was some strong elected officials already in office who helped to prepare her for this position. She’s in a position I’m sure, where she’s thinking to herself, “I can’t disappoint all these folks who have been pushing for me, mentoring me, and getting me ready for this top leadership position.” I just know that’s a part of Cherelle’s thinking. One of the points that she made during the budget address was municipal training for city employees. And as much as we talk about “workforce readiness” programs that are available, I like the fact she’s referring to that and putting a vehicle in place where people can be prepared professionally for civil service positions or for positions with the city. Cherelle reminded all of us that we must do this together. She referenced Congressman Dwight Evans, and that took me back to Rev. Sullivan.
Rev. Sullivan’s legacy and philosophy were about advancing our people through the self-help concept. With that kind of concept in her leadership, Mayor Parker can’t fail. If there is failure, I would venture to say it would be because of a lack of cooperation from others, not because she didn’t try.”
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