Philadelphia Front Page News TV-Radio Entertainment News In Brief: Philly honors music, movie star Will Smith with street renaming forward news by KYW Newsradio frontpagenews1@yahoo.com
Above: Council President Kenyatta Johnson (right) and Overbrook High School Principal Julian Graham (left) look on as Will Smith (center) addresses the audience gathered at the "Will Smith Way" street renaming ceremony on Wednesday, March 26.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Will Smith is a Philadelphia legend, a rapper, actor and film producer who has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and four Grammys. On Wednesday, he added another accomplishment to his list, one that made a permanent mark on his hometown.
“Now therefore be it resolved that the council of the city of Philadelphia hereby proposes the renaming of the 2000 block of 59th Street to ‘Will Smith Way,’” read Council President Kenyatta Johnson.
Hundreds gathered to watch as the bridge from Wynnefield to Overbrook High School was renamed in honor of the West Philly native, who also received a key to the city.
“I walked across this bridge for my whole high school career in snow and rain,” Smith recalled. “I grew up at 59th and Woodcrest in Wynnefield. I was walking over but I was running back.”
The star took the opportunity to reflect on Will Smith Way not only as a sign, but as a metaphor for life.