Raheem Manning, Philadelphia-based business development professional with years of experience spanning entrepreneurship, civic engagement, marketing, and advertising along with arts and culture advocacy roles, is the City’s First Night Time Economy Director (Night Mayor). Raheem has served with the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Office of Business Development & Workforce Solutions since July 11, 2022. In this newly created role, Manning leads public engagement efforts to develop a strategic governance plan and advocates for policies that support the City’s attraction and retention of companies within its night-time economy. Raheem convenes ecosystem partnerships for the night-time economy that will make it easier to operate a successful business in Philadelphia while enhancing our city as a thriving, diverse destination for all.
Previously, Manning served as the Co-Chair of the City’s Arts and Culture Task Force for two fiscal years. During his time, Manning coordinated with City leadership and legislators to advocate for effective changes that strengthen Philadelphia’s night-time economy. Manning conducted community-based research with stakeholders to prepare recommendations that support Philadelphia’s arts, culture, and nightlife sectors. His work collaboratively resulted in almost $3 million in direct grant funding to over 1500 individual artists and 60 small and medium-sized art and culture organizations. Philadelphia’s Night Time Economy Director role is an implemented recommendation from the Arts and Culture Task Force.
Raheem earned Bachelor of Arts from Clark Atlanta University, Masters in Business Administration from Thomas Jefferson University and holds certification in International Business from East China Normal University. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Philadelphia. Raheem is the first in his family to graduate high school and obtain a master’s. As a family-oriented servant leader, Raheem spearheads hope for the next generations and volunteered thousands of hours supporting youth-based community initiatives in Philadelphia. He currently sits on numerous executive and non-profit boards including with his beloved alma mater, Philadelphia Overbrook High School where he coordinated the raising of over $200,000 in donations to help hundreds of students attend Historically Black colleges.
As the Founder of The Weekender Experiences LLC, Raheem has been providing innovative leisure travel services, and curated events for black professionals in America. Raheem firmly believes that it is important for young black people to travel the world, find out who they are and where they see themselves most belonging. Since its founding in 2014, The Weekender Experiences LLC has successfully completed dozens of national and international trips, aiding in the $46.4 billion uptick of African American leisure travel from 2018 to 2019 alone and exposing over 3,000 Black Americans to the love of travel. Raheem visited over 200 cities around the world, and many are convening public and private stakeholders to establish a night time governance plan. Raheem is excited to contribute to these efforts in his native hometown of Philadelphia for our city to be a more welcoming and globally competitive hub for art, culture and nightlife.
