Also naming the 1100 block of S. 53rd Street as "Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul Way" to honor the life and cultural contributions of Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul to the City of Philadelphia.

Also naming the 1100 block of S. 53rd Street as “Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul Way” to honor the life and cultural contributions of Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul to the City of Philadelphia. WHEREAS, Mama Nia Bey Al-Rasul was a pillar of her community and the city for more than 50 years. Raised in North and South Philly and educated in the School District of Philadelphia, she began her life of service in the 1960s, organizing for welfare rights along with the late Senator Roxanne Jones; and WHEREAS, Mama Nia was a trailblazer. Beginning in the early 1970s, she helped found and made significant contributions to a number of pivotal Philadelphia cultural institutions, firmly establishing herself as an integral member of our city’s African cultural community. In 1974, Mama Nia became a member of the African Cultural Art Forum (ACAF) and Gele’s Universal, and dedicated her time and energy to helping these organizations grow; and WHEREAS, An avid lover of music, Mama Nia was a founding member of the renowned female acapella singing group NANIKHA, which won the 1989 Philadelphia Music Award. She sang for President Nelson Mandela during his visit to Philadelphia in the early 1990s. Mama Nia was also a member of The New Afrikan Griots, and the Women’s Shekere Ensemble. As a student of percussion, she studied under Master of Shekere Omomola Iyabunmi and Master Drummer Baba Ibikunle Bey (Robert Crowder); and WHEREAS, In addition to her contributions in the cultural arena, Mama Nia was an educator who b…