Cherelle Parker, mother of a Springside Chesnut Hill Academy student, is on track to become the first female mayor in the history of Philadelphia.

A Mount Airy native, Parker served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Philadelphia City Council prior to winning the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor. In a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans more than seven to one, her victory in November is all but assured. In addition to becoming the first woman to lead Philadelphia since its founding in 1682, she’ll also be the 100th mayor.

“The historical significance of this election is not lost on me. That I could even be this close to this opportunity is humbling. I’m extremely grateful,” said Parker.

Having grown up in Northwest Philadelphia, Parker is no stranger to hardship. “My biological father wasn’t a part of my life. My mother was a single teenage mother, and I was raised by my grandparents. I was eleven when my mother died, sixteen when my grandmother died,” Parker said.

Parker became a community organizer in the Northwest section of Philadelphia where she lived, cleaning graffiti and sweeping streets. “I became a community organizer because I felt such a great responsibility when I was so young. There’s a quote by Langston Hughes, ‘Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair’ that’s always resonated with me. Because my life ain’t been no crystal stair, I’ve always had this feeling of responsibility that comes from the people who helped me along my journey,” Parker said.

Even though most students cannot vote in America, Parker still believes youth participation and involvement in local communities can make a difference. “Even if you can’t vote, if you want clean streets and quality education and human rights, and home ownership and reducing violence, volunteer,” Parker said.

Parker is a full time public servant, and she still finds time to volunteer at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy – her child’s school – during MLK day and at Horizons, a summer academic program that mentors low-income students from the city.

To be an impactful politician, public speaking is a necessity. Luckily for Parker, she has been training since high school, when she won a citywide oratory contest. Reflecting on preparing for the contest, Parker stated, “I was terrified. I was terrified because I had never done it before.”

She also offered some advice about public speaking. “I practice almost every day of the week. When I was in school, I’d take my lunch and go practice speaking to myself in the mirror. I learned a lot about my body language. That’s the most important thing, you’ve got to project confidence.”

At an early age, Parker discovered a love for English. “Langston Hughes was probably what hooked me on [that subject]. That’s why I named my son Langston,” Parker said.

Langston Hughes was a famous Black poet, author, and social activist during the Harlem Renaissance whose work is regularly featured in the SCH English curriculum. Langston, her son, is currently in fifth grade at SCH.

Parker still recalls her first impressions of the school. “I can remember, coming in and going through the interview when he was applying for Pre-K. [The teachers] were just so good with [my son]. I love the entire SCH family, the entire SCH community with its support for the parents and our children.”

Parker also acknowledged public schools’ place in Philadelphia as well. “I went to public schools growing up, William Rowan Elementary School, and I went to the Parkway Program High School in Center City at 1118 Market Street,” Parker said.

Parker affirmed that she wants “[students] to have access to a 21st-century education that will give them the skills to write, speak, compute and be innovative and competitive in a global economy. I also want them to have school facilities that are modern 21st-century modern buildings.”

Philadelphia public schools have consistently ranked near the bottom of the big-city school districts in the country. “That’s part of what I’m going to do as mayor, make sure our students get what they need,” Parker said.

A former English teacher herself, Parker reiterated that her campaign’s goals were to make “Philadelphia safer, cleaner, greener with economic opportunity for all.”

Parker stressed that she views education as a way to achieve this vision.

Ms. Gerri Allen, a lower school teacher at SCH, agreed with Parker’s focus on education. “For me, as an educator, I just want people to start putting more emphasis on education in our city,” Allen said.

Allen knows Parker as a parent, and described her with a laugh as “friendly and all about business.”

Allen wasn’t the only person to speak of Parker as a goal-oriented achiever.

“I love Cherelle because she’s a GSDer – you know, a get stuff done-er,” said Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro of PA. Gov. Shapiro, a close ally of Parker, who served with her in the Pennsylvania State House from 2005 to 2012. “She knows how to build consensus. She knows how to bring people together. Now more than ever in government, we need people who can find ways to work together to get stuff done for folks.”

Gov. Shapiro mentioned that he looked forward to collaborating with Parker on policy decisions from Harrisburg.

“She’ll do a great job as mayor,” Shapiro said.

The Philadelphia mayoral election is on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

This story was originally published on The Campus Lantern on October 25, 2023.