We have all heard the phrase, "It takes a village". Do we understand what it means?  A village is comprised of many.  In  the African American community, this has traditionally meant  moral and educational values.  African influence in the Global World View today can be extended to include the Medical, Financial, and technology fields.  If our villages are devoid of morals, education, medical, financial and emerging technology, is it possible for the African American Community can survive?  Can we survive if we cannot build the partnerships necessary to further the mission of our destiny?  Partnerships  determine the potential for community development.  In Chester, PA, partnerships with leading industrial, educational, medical, and commercial stakeholders, can do for Chester what those partnerships have done for Camden, NJ. 

"Entrepreneurship is one means by which African Americans can create jobs for themselves, hire other African Americans, and increase revenues for their communities."Kijakazi, (1997:XVI).  

Partnerships are therefore necessary tools that will develop the Chester of tomorrow.  Already the city benefits from the partnerships between Widener University, The Riverfront Alliance of Delaware County, Philadelphia Union, Covanta, and the grassroots organizations in the city.  Partnerships ensure that interests of residents and business owners are entwined and shared.  Pollution, crime, income, education, transportation, and housing are all topics that lead to a community of consensus.  Amenities that create increasing well being to both residents and business owners have included the Chester Riverwalk, the Chester Park nature walk, and the newly created Eyre Park Levee walk.  These partnerships have created the Philadelphia Soccer field at 10th and Streets.  These partnership have created the Green Stormwater Infrastructure in Memorial Park.  Until we, as a community, can untie ourselves from the Political strangle hold our communities have been held captive by and begin to realize that our neighborhoods can be characterized as places that require not only a political allegiance, but also an allegiance to the morals and educational building blocks necessary to promote our own sovereignty.  Our communities will not survive without meaningful partnerships.

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