As a board member of the South of South Neighborhood Association (SOSNA), technologist and educator Brandon Washington works in community outreach, implementing initiatives to better his neighborhood. In seeing a lack of access to technical resources, the South Philadelphia native came up with the idea of a collaborative workspace that could meet hyperlocal needs.

So, he’s are raising funds to launch 1901, a collaborative workspace for South Philly residents to be based out of the same space as SOSNA’s office at 1901 Washington Ave.

The hub would provide residents with access to high-speed internet, computers and the direction and education to help them better use those resources. Washington aims to mimic REC Philly and PhillyCAM’s models of offering members access to audio and visual equipment, which he believes will allow them to build community online via content. 1901 will be different from South Philly community centers like the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in that it will be governed by the community instead of the City of Philadelphia, he said.

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