On March 20, the Mayor of Wilmington, Delaware Mike Purzycki paid tribute to Stephen Marley with a particular mayoral commendation and the presentation of a Key to the Metropolis, because the eight-time Grammy Award-winning reggae star made a return go to to town the place he was born.
Stephen Marley is the second-eldest son of reggae icon Bob Marley, who additionally referred to as Wilmington residence for a short while through the Nineteen Sixties. Stephen’s paternal grandmother, Cedella Marley, established roots in Wilmington in 1962, residing close to the intersection of twenty fourth and Tatnall streets.
Along with her son, the Marley household matriarch opened her Wilmington residence to daughter-in-law, Rita, in addition to her grandchildren. Amongst them was Stephen, who was born on April 20, 1972.
The park throughout the road wherein Stephen and his siblings used to play, then often known as Tatnall Playground, was rededicated as “One Love Park” in April 2014.
A duplicate of the Mayor’s tribute acknowledged: “The U.S. Census Bureau ranks Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington among the many prime ten metropolitan areas within the nation with the most important Jamaican populations, thanks partly to an inflow of immigrants through the civil rights period of the Nineteen Sixties.”
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“What’s actually vital to us is to mirror on our group,” Mayor Purzycki mentioned in feedback to Stephen Marley. “And if you see everyone right here at this occasion, there’s a depth of feeling that reminds us what group is all about. We recognize that, and it’s a tribute to you that you’ve got so many people who wish to be with you right here right this moment.”
The Mayor prolonged a heat welcome to Stephen on behalf of the Metropolis of Wilmington and saluted his contributions to the world of music as he carries on his father’s legacy.
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“Wilmington is happy with its connection to the Marley household, which continues to at the present time … and needs all members of the Marley household to know they may at all times have a house right here as Wilmington holds them in our collective coronary heart,” the Mayor mentioned.
‘An emotional second’ for Stephen
“It’s a really emotional second right here,” mentioned Marley upon receiving a Key to the Metropolis. “I do give due to everybody who made this attainable … my household. Wilmington [is] residence. I’ve fond reminiscences of working throughout the road to the park and my father. I’ve fond reminiscences right here and thanks. I’m not a person of many phrases. I like you all. I really feel at residence.”
Along with the Mayor, the ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor Bethany Corridor-Lengthy, representing Governor John Carney; New Citadel County Government Matt Meyer; Ms. Lorraine Malcolm-Johnson, a primary cousin to Bob Marley; and Metropolis Parks Director Ian Smith.
Stephen Marley was enthusiastically greeted by a crowd that included over 100 associates and relations — members of the Malcolm household who proceed to reside in Wilmington and all through Delaware — in addition to neighbors and members of the group.
