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Will Smith on West Philadelphia street renaming
Actor and entertainer Will Smith was honored Wednesday with a street renaming ceremony in his hometown of West Philadelphia. The 2000 block of North 59th Street will forever be known as Will Smith Way.
PHILADELPHIA - In West Philadelphia, born and raised…
Philadelphia honored one of its favorite native sons on Wednesday by renaming a city block after actor and entertainer Will Smith.
The 2000 block of North 59th Street will now also be known as Will Smith Way, a street that runs past his alma mater, Overbrook High School.
Smith joined Mayor Cherelle Parker and city leaders during the renaming ceremony.
What we know:
The 2000 block of North 59th Street that runs through part of the Overbrook section of West Philadelphia will be renamed to honor actor and entertainer Will Smith.
The West Philadelphia block that will soon bear Smith's name runs past Overbrook High School, where Smith used to attend public school.
Smith donned an Overbrook High School jacket and baseball cap when he took the microphone to address the crowd gathered Wednesday outside the school.
Along with the street renaming, Smith confirmed that he will be in Philadelphia for the Fourth of July and will try to bring other Philly musicians along with him.
What they're saying:
Smith reflected on memories he had of walking to high school from his home in nearby Wynnefield, and the lessons he was taught while growing up in Philly.
"The Will Smith way is encompassed in the lessons that I got from my father, my mother and my grandmother," Smith said.
The Academy Award-winning actor shared the story of how his time at Overbrook High School shaped his success, including the iconic nickname The Fresh Prince.
Smith singled out Mrs. Brenda Brown, a teacher during his time at Overbrook, started calling him "Prince Charming," a moniker that Smith then added his own twist.
"She called me Prince, and I added the Fresh because it was hip-hop slang," Smith said. "The name ‘The Fresh Prince’ was coined in that building."