Philadelphia native recognized following historic 3,000-mile cross-country walk to support and expand opportunities for Philadelphia youth
PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Cherelle L. Parker today presented the Key to the City of Philadelphia to Isaiah “HMBL Zayy” Thomas, recognizing the Nicetown native for his historic 3,000-mile journey across the country and his commitment to creating new pathways to opportunity for Philadelphia’s young people.
Thomas returned home to Philadelphia after completing a 124-day cross-country walk from Philadelphia to California on July 26. The journey raised more than $181,000 toward his $200,000 goal to support the creation of HMBL University, a Philadelphia-based trade school envisioned to provide young people with hands-on career training and skills to build successful futures.
The Key to the City is presented as a symbol of civic recognition and Philadelphia’s appreciation for individuals whose achievements, service and influence have made a meaningful impact on the city and its people.
“A Key to the City is symbolic, but today, I want this key to represent something very real: the doors Isaiah is opening for the next generation of Philadelphians,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “Isaiah — HMBL Zayy — walked 3,000 miles because he believes our young people deserve pathways to family-sustaining careers, financial independence and the opportunity to build wealth right here in Philadelphia. He has shown our city and our country what can happen when an audacious vision is matched by purpose, resilience and an absolute determination to see it through.”
“Growing up in Nicetown, I learned early that where you start does not have to determine where you finish,” said Isaiah “HMBL Zayy” Thomas. “This walk was never just about me making it across the country. It was about showing our young people what is possible when you believe in something and refuse to give up on it. To come back home and receive the Key to the City from Mayor Parker is an incredible honor, and I hope this moment opens even more doors for the young people coming behind me.”
“Isaiah’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when someone takes the challenges they have experienced and turns them into purpose,” said Anton Moore, Executive Director of Neighborhood and Community Engagement for the City of Philadelphia. “For young people across Philadelphia, especially those growing up in neighborhoods where opportunity can sometimes feel out of reach, seeing someone from Nicetown think this big and go this far matters. Isaiah is showing them that where you come from does not determine where you can go.”
The Key to the City was presented during a ceremony at City Hall on Monday, August 17, where Mayor Parker was joined by Managing Director Carlton Williams, Chief of Staff Tiffany Thurman, and a host of other Parker Administration officials in honoring HMBL Zayy, whose family attended the ceremony with him.
“Isaiah, thank you for showing Philly, and showing America, that our circumstances do not define our potential,” Mayor Parker said during the ceremony. “For your historic 124-day journey, your unbreakable spirit and your dedication to our underserved youth, it is my highest privilege to present you with the Key to the City.”
Photos from today’s event are available here. Photo credit: City of Philadelphia.