Renaming 5th Street between Huntingdon and Somerset St to "Jesse Malpica Bermudez Way" to honor the life and legacy of Jesse Malpica Bermudez, a cultural icon, advocate, and champion of Latin music and community empowerment in Philadelphia.

Renaming 5th Street between Huntingdon and Somerset St to “Jesse Malpica Bermudez Way” to honor the life and legacy of Jesse Malpica Bermudez, a cultural icon, advocate, and champion of Latin music and community empowerment in Philadelphia. WHEREAS, For over four decades, Jesse Malpica Bermudez (herein referred to as “Jesse”) was a visionary leader and tireless advocate for Latin artists and musicians in Philadelphia. Born to a Puerto Rican father and Cuban mother, Jesse was deeply rooted in rich cultural traditions, which he channeled into a lifelong mission to elevate Latin music and empower his community; and WHEREAS, Jesse began his musical journey as a young performer and later formed a doo-wop group during his service in the U.S. Navy, before transitioning into Latin music promotion. In the 1970s and 1980s, he produced major concerts, including the iconic Salsa con Salsa series, featuring legends like Celia Cruz, Willie Colón, and Héctor Lavoe. He used these platforms not only to celebrate music but also to fight for equity and opportunity for Latino musicians; and WHEREAS, In 1982, Jesse co-founded the Asociación de Músicos Latinoamericanos (AMLA) to advocate for better working conditions and fair compensation for Latino musicians. Recognizing the need for deeper support of Latin artists, Jesse also founded the Latin School for the Performing Arts, providing education, mentorship, and career opportunities for aspiring musicians; and WHEREAS, Jesse’s work extended f…