ABOUT US

Hello and Welcome,

As a native Philadelphian—whose work as an entrepreneur, culinarian, author, production manager, TV, and radio host has led to ventures across the globe—I, Derwood Selby, am honored and pleased to announce my candidacy for Philadelphia City Councilman at large in 2023.

While ‘The City of Brotherly Love’ is rich in arts, culture, and history—and a progressive experience for a particular few—there is a myriad of issues denying the greater portion of the population equitable and inclusive opportunities. My platform consists of addressing the whole of Philadelphia in several key areas including violence and public safety, education, entrepreneurship, home ownership, and healthcare.

Some ten years ago, the news about my father’s illness prompted my swift return back to Philadelphia. The sharing in his caretaking provided me the opportunity to feel the pulse of the ‘community’ from which I had become estranged. It was but a faint beat of what I had recalled in previous years. While I could see the progressive trajectory of Philadelphia with its innovative and technological advances, new corporate initiatives, and gentrification; I could see the hopelessness in its urban enclaves ravaged with gun violence, drugs and crime, poverty, low-performing schools, high incarceration rates, homelessness, and food deserts.

Reflecting on my years of employment with MEE Productions Inc. and our extensive public health experience with traumatized communities, including work at the federal, state, city, and county levels, I thought of ways in which I could serve the greater community. The Philly 4 Life initiative emerged as I believe we need healthy alternatives for addressing youth violence while providing low-income, at-risk youth with positive “coping” skills to thrive and become more productive.
 

In recent times, serving as a board member at PhillyCam, a public access media center committed to building community through locally produced television, radio, and online content, my reach expanded. As a television host, producer, and radio personality on WPPM-106.5 FM, I was given a platform to hear and speak to local voices about health and wellness, nutrition, and food deserts that impact our livelihood. In analyzing Philadelphia’s major concerns such as violence, public safety, education, economics, and health care, I was reminded of my Dad’s words to “BE THE CHANGE” I want to see.

The election of 2023 is an opportunity for a collective reset, a fresh approach to resolving issues; the right time to trumpet the desires of the greater community while working strategically for an equitable, all-inclusive future. Looking for a courageous leader with integrity and endurance; one who is dedicated to serving the people of Philadelphia—with eyes and ears to the ground—and believes we must “BE THE CHANGE” we want to see? Derwood Selby…at your service.