Topic: Citizen of the Year
![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Velshi-Michelle-Belser-791x400.jpg)
Listen: Ali Velshi Interviews Philadelphia’s Block Captain of the Year
The MSNBC anchor and Citizen Board member talks with Michelle Belser of Melrose Gardens about civic engagement and working with the community
By Ali Velshi![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023_COTY_Awards_David_Fajgenbaum_speech-791x400.jpg)
RECAP: Citizen of the Year Awards
In a joyful celebration this week of what it means to be a good citizen, we honored a block captain, captains of industry, a medical innovator, disruptors of business as usual — and more incredible Philadelphia change-makers
By Lauren McCutcheon![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/David_Fajgenbaum_HED1-1-791x400.jpg)
Citizen of the Year Awards: Dr. David C. Fajgenbaum
The Penn Medicine physician turned his five near-death experiences into a mission to save the lives of people suffering from humanity’s 12,000 known diseases. Is it any wonder, then, that Fajgenbaum is our Citizen of the Year?
By Jessica Blatt Press![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ryan_Boyer_Michael_Forman_HED2-791x400.jpg)
Citizen of the Year Awards: Disruptors Ryan Boyer and Michael Forman
The finance CEO and labor leader are determined to make Philadelphia the most equitable, fastest growing big city in America together.
By Larry Platt![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LewisKatz-1-791x400.jpg)
Citizen of the Year Awards: Why Lewis Katz?
The Citizen will bestow its inaugural Corporate Citizen of the Year award in the name of a late civic leader we ought not forget
By Larry Platt![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mike_Innocenzo_courtesy_PECO.HED_-791x400.jpg)
Citizen of the Year Awards: Mike Innocenzo
For his work helping to stand up the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, the PECO CEO and Chamber of Commerce Board Chair is this year’s Lewis Katz Corporate Citizen of the Year
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/2023_12_07_PC_Robert_Saleem_Holbrook_Sabina_Pierce_-0164-2-1-791x400.jpg)
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Robert Saleem Holbrook
The A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Social Justice Champion spent 27 years in prison before a Supreme Court ruling set him free. Now, he teaches about criminal justice at Penn and heads the Abolitionist Law Center
By Jessica Blatt Press![](https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Sister_Mary_Scullion_Joan_Dawson_Project_HOME-791x400.jpg)
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon
Join us on January 30 to honor the Project HOME pioneers with a Lifetime Achievement Award
By Natalie Pompilio