During a recent visit to her hometown, three-time Grammy winner, poet, and actress Jill Scott stopped by the PECO Customer Care center to chat with PECO employees and offer warm words, encouragement, and thanks for the work they do.

“It’s a blessing to have someone like Jill to recognize what we do,” said Pat Fennell-Peaks. “We are the heartbeat that keeps the lights on and the gas flowing.” 

Many know Scott for her talent and achievements, but hometown pride and a passion for giving back to the “city that raised her” has fueled her mission to build the Blues Babe Foundation — which has given countless other Philadelphia kids, just like her, a new outlook on what they can do in their own lives.

Scott was in Philadelphia to headline the city’s annual Roots Picnic but took time to host the first annual Scholarship Breakfast and Fundraiser for the foundation she created in 2004. To date, Blues Babe has awarded 50 scholarships ranging from $250 for books to $10,000 for a writing competition. As a foundation sponsor, PECO was honored to host the event in PECO Energy Hall.

Scholarships are just one part of Blues Babe’s mission to provide hope, mentorship, leadership development, and the financial support that youth need to excel. Its programs are rooted in cultivating academic and artistic success in youth from the most underserved communities in North Philadelphia and Camden.

In addition to helping college-bound students with career exposure, internships, and scholarships, Blues Babe reaches kids in grades 4-12 through free summer programs through Camp Jill Scott. Last year, PECO partnered with Camp Jill Scott to sponsor a PECO Powe Day field trip — for fun and career exploration — to the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Scott was inspired by people and events in her own life to ensure that other deserving young people would not find their education stalled due to lack of financial support.

“I’m from North Philadelphia,” she said of her foundation’s origin story. “My grandmother’s name is Blue, and I’m her babe! I was always told to be mindful of where you come from and to give back. You hear bad things about North Philadelphia. I never liked that. I decided to create a foundation that would direct its energy in North Philly, where community centers were closing. There were elementary schools without libraries, and libraries without computers. I thought, I can do something about this.”

The Blues Babe Foundation offers an opportunity to “see outside the corners of your block” as Scott puts it.

“We can push education,” she said, “but without the desire to want to do more, see more, and experience more, it’s not going to happen.”

The kids get to meet educators, financiers, and dancers. People with all kinds of jobs get to show the kids something different. Especially for kids who may live in a chaotic environment, that exposure can offer peace and perspective.

“I travel around the world, and I love to come back to North Philly to see how everybody is doing,” Scott said. “I like to see what’s different, what’s open, what’s closed, you know, talk to my neighbors. I would watch the news and see so many people getting shot daily like it was nothing. It was frustrating to me. I thought, if my mother hadn’t taken me to libraries, art museums, and dance recitals, I could end up in a lot of trouble, and I wouldn’t be where I am today. I just want to offer my kids something. I’m going to take care of my ‘hood, and you take care of yours!”

That perspective, combined with a warmth that seems natural to Scott, really resonated with PECO team members, especially Care Center Representative Shalon Brodrick.

“It is nice to capture beautiful moments in time,” said Brodrick. “I must say Jill Scott is soulfully real. Her presence was refreshing. Thank you, Jill, for taking the time.”