A. Bruce Crawley, a prominent businessman and entrepreneur, was recently recognized with a resolution from Philadelphia’s City Council.
This honor acknowledges Crawley’s decades of leadership and significant contributions to the business, hospitality, and political spheres in the city.
As the founder of Millennium 3 Management and the African American Chamber of Commerce, as well as a founding member of Visit Philadelphia, Crawley addressed the City Council during the presentation, expressing his heartfelt appreciation for the recognition.
In his speech, Crawley began by thanking City Council members for their dedication to representing the 1.5 million residents of Philadelphia and their respective neighborhoods.
“You introduce and pass the laws that govern this great city; it is YOU, in City Council, who are responsible for approving the mayor’s annual budget,” Crawley stated, noting that this year’s budget amounted to $6.4 billion.
He expressed his humility upon receiving such acknowledgment, especially as a native of North Central Philadelphia and a longtime resident of the city.
Crawley opted to shift the focus away from his personal achievements highlighted in the resolution and instead spoke about the shared responsibilities that come with living in what he described as ‘interesting times.’
Reflecting on a time-worn expression, he clarified its meaning, pointing out that living through ‘interesting times’ refers not to enjoyable experiences but to periods marked by challenges and turmoil.
He recounted the impactful message of a scene from the movie ‘WATTSTAX,’ which depicted the struggles of economically challenged individuals.
In a poignant moment, an older Black man in the film shares, “I have been down so long that getting up don’t even cross my mind,” encapsulating the feelings of resignation and disempowerment that can plague communities facing systemic obstacles.
Crawley emphasized that many of these challenges are a result of policies from those in power, particularly referencing the current federal administration’s actions that he believes perpetuate fear and hopelessness among the majority of Americans, who are not billionaires.
He articulated concern over the erosion of constitutional rights and the alarming trends in immigration policy under the current administration.
“Access to economic, social, and healthcare opportunities is being erased with the stroke of a pen,” he stated, condemning the treatment of immigrants and highlighting the struggles faced by those unable to prove their ancestors’ citizenship.
Crawley argued that such conditions are far from normal and that they consistently result in unnecessary suffering and loss of life.
In light of the City Council’s acknowledgment of his work on a civic level, Crawley challenged the body to promote deeper community and grassroots engagement to address these larger societal issues.
He concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude for the recognition while prompting City Council members to work toward restoring fairness, equity, and opportunity in what was once considered ‘the land of opportunity.’
In closing, Crawley reaffirmed his willingness to assist the Council in these efforts, underscoring the importance of collaboration in pursuing solutions for the challenges the community faces today.
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