I bring over 15 years of experience creating transformative community initiatives in Philadelphia. Growing up in historic Germantown—with its legacy of activism, rich cultural heritage, and diverse community—profoundly shaped my life and the way I move through the world, forming the foundation of my approach to organizing and community development.

Where I’m from

A native Philadelphian, I grew up in historic Germantown, where the streets are still lined with cobblestones—something that remains hotly contested. I attended high school in Havertown, a suburb just outside the city limits, then spent five years in Washington, D.C., where I earned my BA in English from The George Washington University, studying film theory and African American history and culture alongside my major.

In 2005, I returned to Germantown, where I now live with my wife Alison Crouse and our cat Millie (aka Millhouse).

PS: Yes, Emaleigh is pronounced just like Emily.

Germantown, Philadelphia

One of the nation’s oldest neighborhoods, dating back to 1683, Germantown stands as a living testament to American history—though the land itself has a much deeper story. Germantown Avenue, now an iconic commercial corridor, follows a path once used by the Lenni Lenape people, part of an ancient network of trails that European settlers later expanded into “The Great Road,” a significant trade and travel route connecting Philadelphia to the countryside.

This distinctive community is renowned for its pivotal role in the anti-slavery movement, its historic Revolutionary War battle, and its remarkable legacy as home to notable figures from the nation’s founding through today’s vibrant creative scene. With its architectural treasures and rich cultural tapestry, it offers a rare blend of historical significance and contemporary vitality found nowhere else in Philadelphia.

To learn more, visit → Germantown United CDC, Historic Germantown

For Fun

I like a good public fountain, exploring cities, site-specific art and performances, sculpture parks, riding trains, sharp clever TV (think Homicide: Life on the Street), being in or near water, amateur landscaping the grounds of our apartment building, and great quotes (see below). I also spend a lot of time dancing around by myself to all kinds of music. I see Phish—the greatest quartet of all time—a few times a year and attend the Newport Folk Festival in the summer. These are the things that keep me inspired. Maybe I’ll see you at a show, in a garden, or somewhere in between.

“I keep inside myself, in my private museum, everything I have seen and loved in my life.”
– André Malraux