Cherelle Parker

Drawing on over three decades of public service, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s career is defined by a deep commitment to the city of Philadelphia. Her journey from high school intern in City Council to the city’s highest office is a testament to her dedication and leadership.

Early Career and Legislative Wins

Parker’s career began with internships in City Council, followed by a period as a high school English and ESL teacher.
In 2005, she became the youngest African American woman elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Over her decade-long tenure, she secured emergency funding to prevent a citywide school shutdown and championed critical legislation, including the “Philadelphia Tax Fairness Package” and Act 75, which strengthened legal recourse for sexual assault victims.
Returning to City Council in 2015, Parker served the 9th District and was unanimously re-elected in 2019. She was then chosen by her peers to serve as Majority Leader from 2020 to 2022. During this time, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Philly First Home” program, the “Neighborhood Safety and Community Policing Plan,” and the “Philadelphia Taking Care of Business” commercial corridor cleaning program. She also co-developed the “Restore, Repair, Renew” program for home improvement loans and strategically increased the Realty Transfer Tax.
Historic Mayoral Administration

In 2023, Parker made history again, becoming the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman to hold the city’s highest office. Since her inauguration on January 2, 2024, her administration has focused on a “safest, cleanest, and greenest big city” agenda. Key accomplishments include:

Public Safety: Mayor Parker’s declaration of a public safety emergency has yielded significant results. As of December 2024, homicides were down by 37% and shooting victims by 36% compared to the previous year.
Fiscal Health: Parker’s administration has focused on strengthening the city’s financial standing. In 2024 and 2025, the city received upgrades to its credit rating, achieving its highest combination of ratings in decades from agencies like Fitch and S&P. These upgrades are attributed to the mayor’s clear focus on healthy General Fund reserves, strong financial management, and improved pension funding, which reached its highest level in two decades.
Clean and Green Initiatives: The administration’s “Clean and Green Initiative” has been a priority. In 2024 alone, the “Taking Care of Business” program collected over 177,000 bags of trash along more than 100 commercial corridors. A citywide cleaning program cleaned over 18,000 blocks in its first sweep. Additionally, her administration has successfully prosecuted 40 new cases related to illegal dumping, securing over $3 million in judgments.
Affordable Housing: In a landmark achievement, the administration introduced the Housing Opportunities Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) initiative in June 2025 advancing Mayor’s Parker’s vision to close the opportunity gap. This historic $2 billion investment aims to create and preserve 30,000 homes.
Mayor Parker is an alumna of Lincoln University and the University of Pennsylvania and a devoted mother. Her proven track record and extensive experience underscore her unwavering commitment to Philadelphia’s future.