The Fair City Challenge Recap
The Fair City Challenge Community Showcase brought together innovators, civic leaders, and neighborhood changemakers to celebrate bold ideas shaping Philadelphia’s future.
After months of collaboration and acceleration, The WEALTH Collective earned the $50000 grand prize, recognized for its community driven approach to building financial empowerment and generational stability.
Hosted at Independence Blue Cross, the evening highlighted how creativity, data, and local leadership can drive equitable growth across Greater Philadelphia, marking a defining moment for the Fair City Challenge and the communities it uplifts.
THE WINNERS
(L to R) ALMITRA TANKERSLY, VONETTA HAWKINS, CLARA LYONS-DEVAUGHN
The WEALTH Collective is a team of Black women in real estate, banking and finance on a mission to eliminate racial appraisal bias of Black and Brown people and communities in the city of Philadelphia and across the nation.
Thank You for Making the Fair City Challenge a Success
The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia extends sincere appreciation to everyone who made the Fair City Challenge an extraordinary success.
What began as an open call for bold ideas became a citywide movement powered by creativity, collaboration, and civic pride. Through months of mentorship, workshops, and engagement, the Challenge united innovators dedicated to building a more connected, equitable, and vibrant Philadelphia.
On October 8, that vision came to life at the Fair City Challenge Community Showcase, a celebration of ingenuity and partnership. The energy in the room reflected what is possible when business, civic, and community leaders work together toward shared goals.
We thank our sponsors, whose investment in innovation helped turn great ideas into real world solutions. A special acknowledgment goes to Independence Blue Cross (IBX) for their continued leadership in championing this initiative from concept to completion.
To our stakeholders and community partners, thank you for believing in the power of collaboration.
To the Economy League staff, your commitment and execution brought every element of this project to life.
To our contestants and finalists, your ideas and courage inspire what is next for our city.
To the attendees who filled the Showcase with energy and engagement, your presence matters.
And to the past Impact Lab winners who returned to celebrate and share their journeys, thank you for reminding us how innovation continues to ripple outward and shape lasting change.
The Fair City Challenge was more than a competition. It was a collective statement about what happens when Philadelphia invests in its people, creativity, and future. Together, we are moving this region forward, fairer, stronger, and united in purpose.