On the Trail

Martin Luther King Day of Service 2016

“Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

In celebration of MLK Day 2016, #Cephas2016 participated in a number of service activities throughout the 192nd. We began the day at the Barristers' Association of Philadelphia, Inc. for their annual MLK Day breakfast. The Barrister’s Association is an esteemed group of advocates with a history of fighting for equal rights and justice for citizens in Philadelphia. We went on to join the crew at Good Samaritan Baptist Church preparing books for area schools without libraries. Our children need access to books to improve their quality of education and readiness for the world. At Papa playground we teamed up with my fellow Village of Champion Board Members and Papa Playground's Luther Collins to write thank you letters to our servicemen and women who commit their lives to ensuring the safety and security of our country. We closed out the day with Overbrook Park's Living Waters Baptist Church and community leader Madeline Dunn where we celebrated the day with praise dancing, sermons and fellowship. There was great conversation about expanding the church and the services offered to the community.

Each place we went, I was inspired by our leaders and servants who work day in and day out to make our communities better, #blockbyblock.

Breakfast at the City Avenue Deli

Last week, I  enjoyed breakfast with the Haverford Avenue Business Association during their monthly meeting. Over the past several years, I have been working closely with the Haverford Avenue Business Association to make the corridor more walkable and consumer friendly. Together we worked with key city and state agencies to drive over $7 million to the corridor by way of sidewalk repaving, upgraded traffic signals, signage and big-belly trash cans. The next phase of our work will focus on increasing the public safety along the corridor with video surveillance cameras and signage which we hope will deter criminal activity along the busy strip.  Stay tuned for the plan to attract more businesses to the area so local residents can live, work and play in the Overbrook Park Community.

Policy #InTheNews

President Obama’s Executive Order on Gun Control

Last week President Barack Obama announced his executive order to address gun control in the U.S. This executive order includes new background check requirements, more stringent requirements for gun sellers, and increasing the focus on mental health access. As the nation’s fifth largest city, we in Philadelphia are all too familiar with the havoc that loose gun control laws have on the streets in our communities. Over the past year, there have been a significant number of shootings within the 192nd District, taking the lives of too many. We need to ensure that legislators are fighting for fair and commonsense policies on guns - policy that helps to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, children and the mentally unstable, while allowing for citizens to protect themselves and their families. I will go to the State House and support the executive action proposed by President Obama to help decrease violent crime on our streets while protecting the rights of our law-abiding citizens.

Upcoming Events

Petition Season 2016

Petition Season Begins January 26th! Petitions are circulated throughout the district to get a candidate’s name listed on the ballot on Election Day, April 26, 2016. #Cephas2016 will be circulating the 192nd District to obtain signatures from constituents in support of the Morgan Cephas #racetothehouse. If you are interested in obtaining signatures and supporting my campaign, stop by the campaign office at 5889 Lancaster Avenue or give us a call at (267) 332-9181. 

Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote? If you are not a registered voter or need to update your voter information, REGISTER TODAY! Pick up a voter registration application at my office. You can register in person at various government agencies, register by mail or register online. Visit VotesPA for more information on how to register to vote.

As always, keep in touch. Stay connected to my #racetothehouse!