Temple Alum Shalimar Thomas Leading North Broad’s Renaissance
Shalimar Thomas, KLN ’08, a true Temple Made leader, exemplifies the power of education, passion and community engagement in driving meaningful change. Through her tireless efforts as executive director, North Broad Renaissance continues to thrive as a symbol of progress in Philadelphia’s vibrant landscape.
In the heart of Philadelphia’s North Broad Street corridor, a renaissance is underway, driven by the passion and vision of Temple University alum Shalimar Thomas, KLN ’08. As the executive director of North Broad Renaissance (NBR), Shalimar leads with a deep-rooted commitment to her community, drawing on her Temple education and professional experiences to spearhead transformative initiatives that uplift and empower her community.
Shalimar’s journey as a nontraditional Temple student, juggling a full-time job at Independence Blue Cross and caring for her two young children, exemplifies her determination to pursue her education. Starting as a marketing major, she soon realized her passion was elsewhere, eventually finding her niche in organizational communications at the Klein College of Media and Communication.
After graduating magna cum laude with her communication degree, Shalimar transitioned to the Blue Cross marketing and communications department before venturing into politics alongside prominent figures like Philadelphia City Council member Kenyatta Johnson. It was during her tenure as the executive director of the African American Chamber of Commerce that Shalimar’s journey intersected with the inception of NBR.
At the time, then Council President Darrell Clark and board members like Dr. Kenneth Scott had a vision to create an organization focused on the development and community engagement of North Broad. Handpicked for her expertise and work ethic, Shalimar took on the challenge of leading this vision, later known as North Broad Renaissance.
“When I started, it was just an organization on paper. That’s it. We didn’t have a name, office, website, phone number or anything. Because of that, it wasn’t as easy to say yes, but I knew I was equipped to do it, and I saw it as an amazing opportunity to help people, especially because I’m from North Philadelphia and still live there,” says Shalimar.
Armed with her Temple education and a passion for her beloved community, Shalimar embarked on a journey to transform this concept into a catalyst for positive change. Shalimar credits the hands-on knowledge she gained in strategic planning, branding and public relations for her success in building NBR from the ground up.
“Temple is one of the best schools in the country. I had incredible courses and professors, and when I left, I had skills I felt confident using,” says Shalimar.
Shalimar’s first step was to create a strategic plan for NBR, just as she had done in her capstone course. She also emphasized catering to community needs as the key to their mission. After garnering feedback from residents, NBR focused programming on four key areas: cleanliness, green spaces, communication and economic development, such as more job opportunities.
Shalimar also went to work branding NBR with its distinctive orange. Now, when volunteers are seen wearing this vibrant color as they sweep the streets and nurture the lush landscaping, they become ambassadors of positive change for the community.
“The branding was really important, so residents knew who we were and why we were there. Now the recognition is so strong that people think we are this major nonprofit, but we are still a small team and rely heavily on our amazing volunteers,” says Shalimar.
The organization has a deep appreciation for the dedicated volunteers. With over 200 of them in their database, Shalimar is overjoyed at the number of neighbors who share her passion and mission to help. They not only participate in cleanups but also bring stories and a deep understanding of North Broad’s local history. NBR also boasts innovative approaches like a paid volunteer program, reflecting a commitment to community engagement that recognizes the socioeconomic needs of the community members.
Over the years, NBR’s initiatives have evolved to include capital improvements and public art management, such as the award-winning project the North Poles. These 55-foot-high LED light poles along North Broad Street offer a dynamic canvas capable of displaying any color imaginable to enhance the environment while representing the community’s values and important causes.
Seven years later, NBR is now a Business Improvement District and a Special Service District with several growing programs. Reflecting on her role, Shalimar notes just how far she has come to understanding the many intricacies of community planning, development and organizing.
“I never even knew helping my community could be a job opportunity. And so much goes into it, from measuring foot traffic to cleaning trash cans. But I genuinely love my job; every aspect of it brings me joy, and I learn something new every day,” says Shalimar.
Shalimar, amid NBR’s numerous achievements, also remains closely connected to her alma mater. She proudly represents what it means to be Temple Made and maintains a community partnership through initiatives like the annual Temple University Alumni Association North Broad Renaissance Cleanup.
“Because of the education I received at Temple, I was able to support my community. Because at the end of the day, it’s bigger than me. I was able to lend those skills to a greater community where we’re seeing the positive impact,” says Shalimar.
As North Broad Renaissance sets its sights on the future, Shalimar is committed to implementing its updated strategic plan, “A Broader Vision,” focusing on goals that ensure North Broad thrives for generations to come. Among its initiatives is the evolving Summer aBroad series, which invites businesses and institutions to showcase their summer activities on North Broad Street. Stay tuned for announcements as this exciting program unfolds.
For more information about North Broad Renaissance, visit northbroad.org
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