New Year’s resolutions don’t work? Don’t tell that to the Philadelphians The Citizen honored this past year-plus — Philly’s Integrity Icon city workers, Rad Award winners, Citizens of the Year, Citizens of the Week and more civic heroes we’ve hosted and listened to and learned from.
These are folks who get shit done, friends. So, put away your dumpster fire predictions for the coming year, and behold 17 reasons to hope, more than 17 resolutions for Philadelphia — and therefore many good things to look forward to in 2025.
“I am resolved to encourage my peers as they step into positions they’ve long aspired to.” — Deion Sumpter
Carlos Aponte, founder and executive director of We Love Philly, former high school history teacher and 2020 Integrity Icon
“My New Year’s resolution for Philadelphia is that we take time to forgive one another, be vulnerable, and move forward in the spirit of collaboration.”
Nadia Bosket, founder of Hoop Dreams and 2024 Rad Award Nominee for Sports Pro of the Year
“My New Year’s resolution: Recruit more women coaches and young girls to participate in our basketball program.”
Jeannine Cook, owner of Harriett’s and Ida Mae’s bookshops in Fishtown and Collingswood, NJ (respectively), activist, Generation Change Philly member, and 2024 Rad Entrepreneur of the Year
“Next year, I am determined to find a permanent home for Ida’s in South Jersey. And, quiet as it’s kept, Harriett’s is opening an outpost in the PHL airport. Meanwhile, I’m waiting and praying for a contract on Josephine’s Bookshop in Paris — 9 rue de Medicis — and I absolutely want to keep taking Philly youth to Paris and beyond.”
Eric Kapenstein, Deputy City Commissioner and 2024 Integrity Icon
“Heading into our most local of election years, I’d have to say: I am resolving to encourage Philadelphians to run and serve as members of their local election board — and have twice as many candidates as four years ago.”
“Before I did anything else in election administration, I served as an Inspector, and later Judge of Election on Penn’s campus. It’s a great way to serve the community, with two very long days each year, that makes a real difference to ensure our elections are a success and that we hear from voters from every block in this city.”
Tu Huynh, program manager for the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy and 2024 Integrity Icon
“One of my resolutions is to make City Hall more welcoming for people with disabilities through two exhibitions: partnering with the Autistic Art Coalition of Philadelphia and SpArc Service’s Cultural Arts Center during the month of March, National Intellectual and Developmental disAbilities Month.”
Dana Donofree, founder and owner, AnaOno Bras & Lingerie, and winner of 2024 Rad Product of the Year
“In 2025, AnaOno is focusing on being the pillar of support to those going through breast cancer treatment by expanding into breast forms and prosthetics for those with mastectomy.”
Alexia Omega Doumbouya, CocoLife.black founder and president, certified doula and 2024 Rad Award nominee
“Next year CocoLife will be expanding our footprint and partnering with more institutions of higher learning, working with HBCUs and nursing and clinical programs to offer perinatal professional education, to teach reproductive health and justice, and to collaborate on interprofessional education. We want to share what we know about birth workers professions — like midwifery and doula care — share best practices in care, and build strong relationships in our fields in order to help improve patient experiences.”
“Also, since we as a community of doulas don’t always take the time we need, we are going to practice more of what we preach to our mamas and have more Doula Wellness Days together.”
Sarahi Franco-Morales, organizer and activist for youth and immigrants and 2024 Youth Citizen of the Year
“I will continue working with and for the Office of Immigrant Affairs department in the City of Philadelphia to ensure the rights of immigrant communities are protected and respected in my city. Now more than ever, I will work on strengthening community ties, amplifying immigrant voices, and finding and connecting resources in the city with community members who need them.”
Kea R. Greene, Member Services Manager for the Mayor’s Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Services and 2023 Integrity Icon
“In 2025, I’m going to bet on myself — by tapping into my talents and skill sets in workshop facilitation and training as an outside consultant. It’s something I have been doing while I’m on the clock working in partnership with City partners, City agencies and community based organizations. I have nearly three decades of expertise in public speaking, community engagement, DEI, implicit bias training, workforce development, grant implementation, and it’s time for me to capitalize on my worth. I’ll still work. I’ll still volunteer. But I’ve made a promise to myself, and I do not like to let myself down.”
Sammy Grossman, mental health advocate, founder of Project Spread Smiles, a 2024 Citizen of the Week and 12th grader
“I would say my New Year’s resolution would be to be outside more, get off my phone more, and live in the moment as much as I can!”
Shariah Harris, professional polo player and Rad Sports Pro of 2024
“My goal for 2025 is to be able to practice with current and former Work to Ride members in our brand-new indoor arena built with generous donations and funds raised through the annual Philadelphia Polo Classic. Another resolution: Continue to strive to play at the highest level I can to keep giving the Work to Ride kids someone to look up to and to keep putting the Work to Ride program and Philadelphia on the map!”
Jude Husein, PA State Senate chief of state advocacy and strategic initiatives, executive director of the World Affairs Caucus and 2024 Rad Activist of the Year
“As an activist and human, I really prioritize end of year resolutions. In the New Year specifically, I would love to see people actually speak to one another for the sake of community. I want to be able to break the idea that just because we can not agree on one issue does not mean we can not talk about the million that we face and find a middle ground; there is always a middle ground. I also plan to work to change the idea that all Arab Americans come from one place, believe in the same thing, have the same politics and religion is inaccurate in order to to amplify that Arabs are always at the forefront of social justice issues — and come from all parts of the globe.”
Rebecca Lopez Kriss, Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Outreach, and Taxpayer Assistance Programs at City of Philadelphia Department of Revenue and 2022 Integrity Icon
“I resolve to stop shooting from the hip! I will breathe before reacting, remember the golden rule, take another breath, and then respond. I resolve to be kind, to put myself in someone else’s shoes, and call out bullsh*t when I see it. Oh … and read and floss more regularly.”
Natalie Hope MacDonald, fine artist and Rad Artist of the Year
“To create more art — specifically public art — in the city. I’d love to keep working with Mural Arts, ideally on a large scale public mural based on my poem paintings. I’m also hoping to move into fashion collaborations to create wearable art that’s accessible to more people.”
Leah Wood, paraprofessional educator at Feltonville Arts & Sciences middle school, Para Power activist, and 2022 Integrity Icon
“I really have just 1 resolution: Finish writing and publish my book: How not to be “that” Para Down the Hall: A Paraprofessional’s Guide to Educational Abolition.”
Marangeli Alicia Saez, owner of Cantina La Martina and 2024 Rad Award nominee for Activist of the Year
“In 2025, I plan to work closely with CCAP [Careers Through Culinary Arts Program] and connect youth with their cultural identity through food. I look forward to continuing to advocate for the economic growth of our community.”
Deion Sumpter, deputy director of violence intervention strategies for the City of Philadelphia and 2024 Integrity Icon
“In 2025, as I move into a new role overseeing all City-based violence intervention strategies and programs, I am resolved to encourage my peers as they step into positions they’ve long aspired to. I wouldn’t have reached my own goals without the support of the people at GVI [Gun Violence Intervention] who chose me as their leader. As they embark on their next chapters, I’ll be there for them like they’ve been there for me.”
GOOD STUFF TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2025
