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Visit Philadelphia names 1st Black woman as president/CEO
  • Stephen Williams TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Longtime city tourism executive Angela Val was named Thursday by Visit Philadelphia’s board of directors as the first Black female president and CEO of the group, that spearheads efforts to bring tourist dollars to the city.

"After a comprehensive executive search, Angela became the clear choice for the type of leader who will strategically drive the organization and city to new heights," said Manuel N. Stamatakis, chair of the Visit Philadelphia board.

"When I arrived in Philadelphia 31 years ago as an undergraduate at Drexel University, I would have never imagined this city's impact on me and my career," Val said. "It is my chosen home, and I am thrilled to return to Visit Philadelphia as president and CEO so I can give back to a city and organization that has given me so much. As we continue to emerge from the pandemic, I look forward to working with our partners to build back the tourism industry, reinvigorate the economy and restore the vibrancy of Philadelphia, which is so essential to attracting leisure travelers."

To be sure, tourism is big business in Philadelphia, generating $12 billion in 2019 and accounting for more than 105,000 jobs, according to the latest figures available.

But it is not without challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely hurt the industry, and out-of-control gun violence that has devastated the city and damaged its image and brand.

"I think we have to be part of the solution. I think a lot of times in our industry, what we might call quality-of-life issues do impact what we do every day," Val said in an interview with The Philadelphia Tribune. "What has to change now is that hospitality in general, not just Visit Philadelphia, has to be part of that solution. Nothing can be done in Philadelphia unless it's clean and safe."

Val’s supporters said she is up for the challenge.

"She’s been a part of the hospitality and tourism industry in Philadelphia for her entire career," said Alison Grove, principal of Grimm & Grove Communications, based in the city. "She’s seen it through a lot, including 9-11 and COVID and the ups and downs of our city. I think she is really well-known and well-trusted by all of the various tourism and hospitality organizations. That’s going to be one of the keys in getting the industry back on its feet, getting everyone to work together."

Grove, whose firm works extensively in tourism, has worked with Val for about 20 years, in several capacities on some of the city’s biggest tourism projects: the Republican National Convention in 2000; Pope Francis' visit in 2015; the Democratic National Convention in 2016; and the National Football League Draft in 2017.

Edward G. Rendell, former two-term governor of Pennsylvania and mayor of Philadelphia, said Val was the best person for the job.

"She knows the job well and can hit the ground running. Head over heels it’s Angela Val. No question about it. I have real confidence in her," Rendell said. "This is a good thing for Philadelphia. She will do a good job promoting the city."

It was Rendell who sought out Val to oversee operations at the DNC when he was national chairman of the convention committee in 2016.

"We needed someone to be chief operating officer. I reached out to Angela because I thought highly of her and persuaded her to come on as No. 2," Rendell said. "She just did a tremendous job. She was the reason we were so successful. The convention didn't elect Hillary Clinton president, but as a convention it was wonderfully run with no major slip-ups. We achieved all of our goals and Angela was spectacular at what she did."

Mayor Jim Kenney said Val is a terrific choice to succeed Jeff Guaracino as Visit Philadelphia's president and CEO. Guaracino, 48, died on Dec. 28 after a fight with cancer.

"With her deep knowledge of the tourism industry and extensive experience promoting our great city, I know she will continue to build upon his legacy of innovation and inclusiveness," Kenney said. "Having worked closely with Angela in her roles at the 2016 DNC Host Committee, PHLCVB and Ready.Set.Philly! I've seen her passion for Philadelphia firsthand."

Val worked for almost 17 years at Visit Philadelphia, a non-profit funded mainly by Philadelphia County's hotel taxes; the Democratic National Committee; and the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is charged with attracting conventions and meetings to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Val is chief operating officer at Tempest, a for-profit company in Philadelphia that creates websites and other marketing materials for destination cities and states throughout the U.S.

Nevertheless, Val said she intends to take it slow when handed the reins to the non-profit group June 27.

"What I’d first like to do is go on a listening tour and meet with the staff, the board and those folks involved in our industries, such as the hotels, retail shops, business and community leaders, to make sure that whatever vision and long-term goals that we have, we've built it on a foundation of collaboration," Val said. "I think it's a little too soon right now to say what those long-term goals will be. In the short term, I'm really looking to make sure that there is a seamless transition and settle into that role."

So, she’ll be able to report back in a couple of months, she said.

According to Val, her management style is collaborative.

"I am someone who one leads with empathy," Val said. "I am a big believer in the 'we' and want to make sure that the work that we are doing as Visit Philly, as a tourism industry for the city of Philadelphia, we are doing that together because I believe we are stronger together."

Her longtime friend and colleague, Grove, of Grimm & Grove Communications, agreed.

"Most recently with the World Cup, when Angela was employed at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, she was helping to bring together the Sports Congress, the city and us as external consultants to organize. She really looked ahead and saw that this was a big job and organized around it and then COVID hit and the bureau was facing layoffs and extreme challenges and Angela stepped in while dealing with internal issues like managing staff and budgets, but she kept the bid going, seeing how important it was to the city and tourism."

Philadelphia is bidding for the World Cup in 2026, the biggest and most famous international soccer championship. An announcement on the winning city is expected in June.

Grove and Val reflected on her becoming the first Black woman to lead Visit Philadelphia.

"I think she is uniquely qualified for the job because of her experience," Grove said. "I think it is great for the city to have another female leader, another Black leader, someone in leadership who represents the diversity of this city. It is certainly a bonus," Grove said. "I think that everybody who works in the tourism industry in our region is feeling a great sense of confidence, collaboration and excitement when we think about Angela in control."

According to Val, she might be the first Black woman to lead the non-profit tourism group, but she doesn’t expect to be the last.

"Now that I’ve been thinking about it quite a bit, I hope people that look like me will take from this, is go for the opportunity when they have the chance," Val said. "Visit Philadelphia will continue, as they have been really great at, to promote Black and brown businesses and their story not just in one campaign, but in every thread every day."

State_and_region
DSU president calls for investigation of lacrosse bus incident
  • Chanel Hill TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Delaware State University president Tony Allen said bodycam footage from Georgia deputies who stopped the school’s women’s lacrosse team contradicts statements made by Liberty County Sheriff William Bowman earlier this week.

“Sheriff Bowman insists that personal items were not searched,” Allen said in a statement. “The video clearly shows officers searching toiletries and clothes and even cutting open a family graduation gift.

“Sheriff Bowman said the officers were unaware of the nature of the passengers on the bus,” Allen said. “The audio clearly demonstrates that the officers were both aware that this was a busload of ‘schoolgirls’ and that they did not expect to find anything other than marijuana, which the officer who entered the bus said they were not looking for.

“It has become abundantly more clear that this incident must be investigated by objective, external authorities,” Allen said. “We continue to push forward toward that objective.”

During a news conference Tuesday, Bowman said deputies had stopped several vehicles the morning of the incident and found contraband on another bus that was stopped.

He emphasized that deputies were unaware of the race or gender of the people inside the bus when it was pulled over and that personal items on the bus were not searched.

Bowman said he conducted an internal affairs investigation and his officers did everything by the book. He also shared bodycam footage of the incident. The deputies in the video have not been identified.

“Once aboard, the deputy informed the passengers that the search would be completed,” Bowman said during the news conference. “This is the same protocol that is expected to be used no matter the race, gender, age, or destination of the passenger. No personal items on the bus, or person, were searched.”

Bowman said he was unaware the situation was perceived as racial profiling until news media coverage began circulating weeks after the incident.

“Although I do not believe any racial profiling took place based on the information I currently have, I welcome feedback from our community on ways that our law enforcement practices can be improved while still maintaining the law,” Bowman said.

On April 20, the Delaware State women’s lacrosse team was traveling north on I-95 from a road game in Florida against Stetson University.

The team bus was stopped in Liberty County, Georgia, citing a traffic violation because the bus was improperly traveling in the left lane.

Once on the bus, a Liberty County sheriff’s deputy announced that deputies were going to search the team members’ luggage. The officers also brought in their dogs.

Delaware Attorney General Kathleen Jennings said Georgia officials and the U.S Justice Department need to investigate the bus incident.

“These students and coaches were not in the proverbial wrong place at the wrong time,” Jennings said in a statement. “They hail from one of the oldest and finest HBCUs in the country.

“By all accounts, these young women represented their school and our state with class and they were rewarded with a questionable-at-best search through their belongings in an effort to find contraband that did not exist,” Jennings said. “Not only did the deputies find nothing illegal in the bags, they did not issue a single ticket for the alleged traffic infraction.

“Your record and the Southern District of Georgia’s recent history are sterling,” Jennings added. “When you say that your office will look into the events of April 20th, I know we can count on a thorough vetting and appropriate action.”

Students, parents urge Philly leaders to fill hundreds of vacant positions amid school safety concerns
  • Tom MacDonald WHYY

Students, teachers, and parents from Mastery Charter schools on Thursday rallied outside of Philadelphia City Hall, expressing security concerns for children heading to and from the classroom.

The group called on Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration to fill hundreds of vacant positions at the police department and 911 call center, in addition to school crossing guards.

“Citywide, there are 407 corners that are supposed to have crossing guards, but do not,” said Shavan Almodovar. “Thousands of children cross these busy and dangerous intersections every day with no crossing guard. I personally saw two accidents in one week this year. I have also almost gotten hit myself.”

Markida Ross, who helped organize the rally, said their group has identified people willing to fill the vacant positions already funded in the city’s budget.

“We have proud parents who desire to be crossing guards. We have young men and women who can be inspired to serve their communities as police officers, but we need the city to be accountable to the urgency and the pace of their efforts,” Ross said. “We need solutions on a scale with the problem.”

The call for help follows a string of violent incidents that have occurred around schools before and after classes begin.

Gratz High Principal LeYondo Dunn recalled how, on one day, about 30 students from another school arrived at Gratz as students were being dismissed.

When he called 911 for assistance, no help was immediately available. Dunn said it took a number of 911 calls over fights that had broken out for police to be dispatched.

“They didn’t show up for 20 to 30 minutes. And during that time, I, a lone principal, was in the middle of Hunting Park, ripping students off one another,” Dunn said.

Outside City Hall, City Councilmembers Mark Squilla spoke to the recurring issue of safety across the city.

“Every meeting we go to, people talk about public safety,” Squilla said, calling public safety a “No. 1 issue” that must be a priority on City Council. “It is up to us to be held accountable to make sure that the resources are there so that the administration could hire these vacant spots,” Squilla said.

City Councilmember Derek Green placed the blame on the Kenney administration for not making the hires.

“Ultimately, it is about leadership and execution,” Green said. “We should not be in this situation. This is an issue that we are not just talking about this year.”

Green’s name has been among those mentioned in the city’s inner circles as a possible mayoral candidate next year.

The Kenney administration issued a statement saying it met with school leaders last week to discuss their concerns. The statement went on to say the city is currently hiring crossing guards to work in 12 police districts citywide. As for police and 911 dispatchers, city officials say they’ve continued their recruiting efforts and are working “arduously to increase the number of police officers and 911 dispatchers.”

US 'vulnerable' to COVID without new shots
  • Zeke Miller

WASHINGTON — White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha issued a dire warning Thursday that the U.S. will be increasingly vulnerable to the coronavirus this fall and winter if Congress doesn’t swiftly approve new funding for more vaccines and treatments.

In an Associated Press interview, Jha said Americans’ immune protection from the virus is waning, the virus is adapting to be more contagious and booster doses for most people will be necessary — with the potential for enhanced protection from a new generation of shots.

His warning came as the White House said there could be up to 100 million infections from the virus later this year — and as President Joe Biden somberly ordered flags to half-staff to mark 1 million deaths.

“As we get to the fall, we are all going to have a lot more vulnerability to a virus that has a lot more immune escape than even it does today and certainly than it did six months ago,” Jha said. “That leaves a lot of us vulnerable.”

Jha predicted that the next generation of vaccines, which are likely to be targeted at the currently prevailing omicron strain, “are going to provide a much, much higher degree of protection against the virus that we will encounter in the fall and winter.” But he warned that the U.S. is at risk of losing its place in line to other countries if Congress doesn’t act in the next several weeks.

Also, speaking of a need provide vaccination assistance to other nations, Jha cast the urgency in terms of the benefits to Americans, even if they never travel overseas.

“All of these variants were first identified outside of the United States,” he said. “If the goal is to protect the American people, we have got to make sure the world is vaccinated. I mean, there’s just no domestic-only approach here.”

His comments came after he and Biden addressed the second global COVID-19 vaccination summit and pressed for the international community not to get complacent in addressing the pandemic.

Here in the U.S., Biden requested $22.5 billion in emergency funding for the virus response in March, but the money has been held up, first by sticker-shock in Congress and now amid wrangling over expiring pandemic-era migrant restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Jha said he’s been making the case to lawmakers for additional funding for weeks, calling it a “very pared down request” and “the bare minimum that we need to get through this fall and winter without large loss of life.”

The Food and Drug Administration is to meet in June to determine the specific strains of the virus that the fall vaccines will target, and Jha said it takes two to three months for manufacturers to develop them. Right now the U.S. has run out of federal COVID-19 response funding to place new orders of vaccines.

“If we had the resources we’d be there having those conversations today,” said Jha. “The window is really closing on us if we want to be in the front of the line.”

“I would say we’re really kind of at that deadline and waiting much longer just puts us further back of the line,” he added. “If we’re willing to be in the back of the line and get our vaccines in the spring, we have plenty of time. But then we’ll have missed the entire fall and winter. That’s not an acceptable outcome, I think, for the American people.”

Jha, who took over the job of coordinating the federal government’s response to the virus a month ago, called the marking of 1 million American pandemic deaths a “somber” day.

“Every one of those deaths tragic, so many of them preventable,” he said.

While acknowledging that “getting to zero is going to be a challenge,” Jha said most deaths from the virus now are preventable, with vaccinations and boosters, and with effective therapeutics, The challenge is often making sure that they are available to people when they need them.

“We have so many capabilities and we’ve got to deploy them at full speed and at full capacity to make sure that nobody dies from this disease,” he said.

Jha said there is “no viable alternative path” right now than to have the U.S. government take the lead in securing COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, rather than allowing the commercial market deal with procurement as with other medical treatments. He cited the global mismatch between supply and demand.

“We have to have the US government still playing an active role,” he said. “That role will change over time. But right now that’s still critical.”

“One of the things that we’ve been talking to Congress about is these tools are great — but only if you have them, only if you can use them,” Jha said. “And without support from Congress it can be very hard to continue to protect the American people.”

On an international subject, he addressed China’s “zero COVID” policy, which has led to dramatic lockdowns in some of China’s largest cities, disrupting everyday life and contributing to global supply chain issues.

“I don’t think it makes sense,” Jha said. He emphasized that U.S. strategy is “very different,” with a focus on preventing serious illness and death.

“To me, that is a much more sustainable long form management strategy,” he said. “I think China’s going to find it hard to continue this for the long haul.”

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