Yorktown in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sullivan Progress Plaza

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2022

1. Sullivan Progress Plaza Marker

Inscription. First shopping center in the US built, owned, and operated by African Americans. It was established in 1968 by Rev. Leon H. Sullivan, Zion Baptist Church members, and the local black community. Its success attracted national attention; it led President Nixon to fund the Progress Development Services Corp. to aid blacks nationwide with commercial development projects. It encouraged black capitalism, inspiring similar economic ventures.

Erected 2016 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1968.

Location. 39° 58.572′ N, 75° 9.498′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Yorktown. It is on North Broad Street (Pennsylvania Route 611) just north of Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 N Broad St, Philadelphia PA 19122, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania. It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Robert N.C. Nix Sr. + Jr. (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freedom Theatre (about 700

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feet away); Siegmund Lubin (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Legendary Blue Horizon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Oscar James Cooper (approx. ¼ mile away); Universal Negro Improvement Association (approx. ¼ mile away); Sister Rosetta Tharpe (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Philadelphia Pyramid Club (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 6, 2022

2. Sullivan Progress Plaza Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 642 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 11, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.