Donavan West, a courageous Philadelphian who has served the unemployed, underemployed and the working poor for decades, announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Philadelphia City Council At-Large. West officially launched his campaign at an event on Wednesday, January 25th, surrounded by family, friends, and supporters at Bleu Brook Restaurant, 5610 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia.
West, who grew up in North Philadelphia as one of five boys raised by a single mother, is a shining example of Philadelphia’s public schools. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Penn State University and his Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern University.
As the founder and president of the Black Business Accelerator and Culturally Congruent Solutions LLC, West has spent more than 20 years supporting entrepreneurs and micro-businesses, as well as delivering strategic multicultural communications. He also served as the President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
He also served as the long term, Chief Operating Officer of People For People, a multi-million-dollar community-based nonprofit organization founded by the late Rev. Dr. Herb Lusk, where he led and played a vital role in the success of their preschool, charter school, banquet space, community development partnership projects, fatherhood program, pregnancy, and wellness center, as well as being central to the college partnership with Eastern University.
West’s campaign focuses on being a bridge between the haves and have-nots, with a goal of promoting economic inclusion and advancement for all Philadelphians. As West puts it, “I’ve dedicated my life to be a voice for the voiceless through community entrepreneurial and workforce development. I will work tirelessly in City Council to ensure our small businesses flourish as the lifeline of our city and to restore Philadelphia as a beacon of hope in the pursuit of economic inclusion and advancement, with a goal of ending our reign as the biggest city with the highest poverty rate.”
West, 48, currently resides in Fishtown while he is finishing construction on a new house in Fairmount. He is the proud father of a 16-year-old.
To learn more about Donavan West, visit www.donavanforphilly.com or call (267) 293-9923. Media inquiries can be directed to contact@donavanforphilly.com
