Leacock announces bid for Tasco’s 9th District seat

S. Archye Leacock, the founder of a North Philly nonprofit that works with at-risk youth, kicked off a campaign for City Council Friday. He is running to fill the Ninth District seat being vacated by Marian B. Tasco, who is retiring after seven terms in office.

Leacock, 59, founded the Institute for the Development of African American Youth in 1991. Leacock said that in the years, since he has worked with a seemingly endless stream of teenagers struggling to find jobs, stay in school and stay out of prison.

"About three years ago I said this is never going to get solved. There will always be people who are collateral from the policies," he said. "And where are these policies and legislation coming from? ... They're coming from City Hall."

Leacock, who immigrated to the United States from Trinidad when he was 17 and has been legally blind since he was 14, said his platform is drawn largely from his experience with young people.

"I'm looking to build on that vision of neighborhood safety, more effective schools, better schools, creating more jobs for our young people," he said. "I think we are doing a relatively poor job at working with our young people."

He is the first announced candidate vying for the Ninth District seat. State Representative Cherelle L. Parker (D. Phila) has said she is considering a run. While she hasn't officially announced, Tasco has already thrown her support behind Parker, who is her former aide.

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