Delilah Winder

DELILAH WINDER

Age: 56
Education: Germantown High School. B.A. from the New York School of Interior Design. Courses from various institutuions in mathematics, programming and restauranteering.
Professional: CEO and president of Delilah’s Southern Cuisine. Formerly a business systems analyst.
Volunteer/Community Work: Chairwoman of the African American Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Food Trust; Volunteer work with MANNA and The Girl Scouts.
Personal: Divorced. One grown daughter, Delana Reever; grandchildren Jaden, 6, and Layla, 2.
Philadelphia resident: Since childhood. Born in Richmond, Va.
Neighborhood: Queen Village.
Appointer: African American Chamber of Commerce

Q&A
Why is zoning reform important to you? Zoning is important because it shapes the city. It’s important that there’s a voice as to what is going on in the city, what gets approved, and how it affects our city. Living in the city, it’s almost that you’re able to have that voice, input as to what you would see taking place, how it affects neighborhoods and growth and development of our city.

Why are you a good choice for this commission? I think because I represent a group of persons which make up a big part of the complexity of the city. It’s good that we can, as a group, have a voice. I think it’s also good that I’ve been a Philadelphian most of my life, have raised a daughter in Philadelphia. My immediate family lives here. I know how different things in the city impact their lives. And I’ve been in business for 24 years in Philadelphia.

What is the most pressing zoning issue Philadelphia faces? It’s not really a specific, pressing issue that I feel Philadelphia faces. I think the pressing part is that all segments of zoning reach all areas of the community. And that all segments of the community have a voice, and that their concerns are heard and addressed. I think what’s good is that I’m (on the ZCC) in the beginning of the process where I can make sure, because this is my concern – that I can voice that. That this is being looked at regardless of what the zoning issue is.

What should be done to address this issue? Steps (should be) taken that all concerns, all segments of the community have a voice. I guess that’s kind of what has been done – there has been a mix created on the zoning commission. All the participants are from all different areas, and each comes with something a little different. We are having a good segment mix of what Philadelphia represents, and I think those are good steps.

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