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WHEREAS, this year marks the 400th year Anniversary of African American arrival in North America and the celebration of African American survival, endurance and entrepreneurship since 1619; and,
WHEREAS, in honor of Pittsburgh's first African American Food Business Operators, Abolitionist and Entrepreneurship, Pittsburgh’s Soul Food Festival, A Soulful Taste of the Burgh, will be held on Sunday September 1st, in Market Square; and,
WHEREAS, Benjamin "Big Daddy" Richards operated the first African American Slaughterhouse and Butchery on Market Street in the late 1700s, and who earned an estimated $200,000.00 dollars selling meat to the Government during the American Revolutionary War; and,
WHEREAS, by 1794, Charles Richards opened and operated the first African American Restaurant and Tavern on Front Street, Downtown Pittsburgh, called "The Negro" and John R. Pulpress and brother Benjamin Pulpress, who owned and operated the first African American Fish Stalls in the Diamond Market (present-day Market Square) and the Allegheny Market House at 26 First Street; and,
WHEREAS, John B. Vashon opened and operated the first City Bathhouse, Barbershop and Underground Railroad Station between Market and Ferry Streets in Downtown Pittsburgh in 1834, and in 1838, Rev. John C. Peck opened and operated the first African American Ice Cream Parlor and Original Oyster House on Market Street, where "Families can be served with oysters by the can or otherwise.." (John Peck's Business Ad in October 1838 issue of Pittsburgh Press); and,
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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize the long history of African American Entrepreneurship and Food Business in the City of Pittsburgh; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare, Sunday, September 1st, 2019 to be “A Soulful Taste of the Burgh Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.