Commerce Department Helps Immigrant Small Business Owners


By Nicole Contosta Staff Reporter


F


or many, owning their own small business fulfills the American Dream. After all,


you’re your own boss. Of course owning a small business has its drawbacks. For one, there’s the struggle to compete against larger chains, whose monopoly in the market makes it possible to sell the same item at a lower cost. But imagine how many more obstacles small business owners might have to overcome if they’re immigrants?


Fortunately, thanks to a pro- gram that began last year in Philadelphia’s Commerce Depart- ment, immigrant owners of small businesses will have the support they need. By partnering with the AmeriCorps Vista, the Com- merce Department has four col- lege-educated volunteers working in commercial corridors heavily populated with immigrant run small businesses. To provide our readers with


more insight into how this pro- gram works, the UC Review had the opportunity recently to speak


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Endrow Metelus, a Business Outreach Associate AmeriCorps Vista Commerce Department at a workshop with Haitian business owners. Photo: provided by Metelus.


Review UNIVERSITY CITY


PHA Celebrates Housing America Month with Opening of Mantua Square in West Philadelphia


By Haywood Brewster Staff Reporter


T


he Philadelphia Housing Authority formally opened the award-winning Mantua


Square at 35th Street and Fair- mount Avenue in West Philadel- phia today as part of the National Association of Housing and Re- development Officials’ (NAHRO) “Housing America” month cel- ebration. The development stands on the former site of an outdated 18-story high rise building demol- ished in March 2008. PHA highlighted the opening as part of a national effort to raise awareness about the importance of affordable housing and com- munity development programs, as well as the challenges currently facing these programs. “Mantua Square represents another landmark achievement for PHA in its commitment to provide quality, affordable, and


Shot of the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s award winning Mantua Square on 35th and Fairmount Ave. Photo: provided by PHS. local economic growth.”


environmentally friendly housing in the city,” said Michael P. Kelly, the agency’s Executive Director. “We intend to make a lasting, positive impact in the neighbor- hood and become a catalyst for


The new development occupies a full square block with a mix- ture of walk-up apartments and duplexes totaling 101 units. The square surrounds a gated court-


www.ucreview.com October 5th, 2011


In Tribute of Paul Robe- son: a Re- placement Mural


Mural being replaced.


By Nicole Contosta Staff Reporter


O


ver the past few months, many West Philly residents have contacted the UC


Review with one burning question. They wondered what was happen- ing to the classic mural honoring Paul Robeson (1898-1976) on the corner of 45th


and Chestnut Streets.


After all, the former mural paid homage to Robeson’s ac- complishments during the Civil Rights movement. Born the son of a former slave, Robeson met early success as a scholar, an athlete, and an actor as well as a world-renown singer.


Despite


yard with ample green space and 92 parking spaces for residents. The green space also helps with storm water management. Photovoltaic solar panels with the capability of


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his fortune, Robeson turned his attention towards human rights. He became a spokesperson against racism and discrimination in the 1940’s. As for his connection to West Philadelphia, Robeson spent the remaining years of his life at his sister Marian Forsythe’s home at 4951 Walnut Street. That home still stands as the Paul Robeson Historic House and Museum. In order to commemorate Robeson’s achievements, the UCD Board of Directors and the Mural Arts Program with the financial support of the Sovereign Bank commissioned the original mural in 1999. Artist Peter Pagast paint- ed it. Over the years however, Robeson’s mural “became faded,” explained Amy Johnston, Informa-


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