African-American pastors in Philadelphia have expressed their support for the construction of a new Sixers arena, which stated that it would provide opportunities and jobs to their community.
With that promise, the city's Black community is excited to be part of the project and contribute whatever it can to its success.
The Construction of Sixers Arena
The Sixers propose to build a $1.3 billion arena with private funding on the block from 10th to 11th and Market to Filbert, directly south of City Hall. The sports team indicated it would allocate $2 million toward preparing Black-owned businesses to take positions in the arena.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment has announced that African American businesses will manage 40% of the arena's food, drink, and concessions operations. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment is the company that owns and operates the Sixers.
The group has pledged to provide residents affected by the project with $2 million as part of a $50 million community benefits agreement. Chinatown, which will be right next to the construction site, will benefit the most from the windfall.
According to David Gould, the chief diversity and impact officer at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, most Philadelphians are people of color. Still, they often need to be made aware of the opportunity and benefits of large-scale development projects.
The company aims to ensure that Black residents of Philadelphia and businesses owned by Black people do well in the venture.
Support from Prominent Black Pastors in Philadelphia
When they heard that Sixers arena would provide opportunities to the Black community, Black pastors in Philly supported the idea of constructing an arena that would benefit the underprivileged.
Rev. Donald Moore of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia is one of those who endorsed the project.
"It's what I like to call 'Philly for Philly," Moore stated in the report.
Meanwhile, Chinatown residents and organizations have spoken out against the plan, claiming it will ruin the area and wipe off a significant minority community. Despite that, the group says it can construct and run an arena without causing any harm to Chinatown.
Gould addressed Chinatown's worries head-on at Wednesday's announcement, saying that the Sixers are committed to doing what's best for the Philadelphia community.
About Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
In 1882, 13 people gathered in West Philadelphia to form Mount Carmel Baptist Church to worship God in the Baptist manner. The Church has flourished for the past 133 years due to the diligent efforts of the congregation and the inspiring guidance of eight pastors.
According to the website, Mount Carmel Baptist Church exists to spread and explain the Good News of Jesus Christ. The church works to win the lost to Christ and strengthen the Church by relying on the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the church works to eliminate the causes and consequences of misinformation, bias, and discrimination.
To reach this goal, the church must work to provide for its members' spiritual, emotional, social, and material needs and the surrounding community.
Rev. Dr. Donald Moore, a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, leads Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
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