To the board and leadership of Historic Rittenhouse Town (HRT)

We, the undersigned community members, faith leaders, wellness practitioners, preservationists, and supporters, are urging Historic RittenhouseTown to reverse the non-renewal of Reverend Cassandra Ferguson’s commercial and residential leases and to adopt clear protections against discrimination and retaliation.

Since 2021, Reverend Cassandra’s holistic healing sanctuary, Black Lotus, has served as an essential community resource at HRT and in Philadelphia. As the only Black-owned business operating within HRT, Black Lotus has provided affordable mental health care for residents, provides a safe community for Black and brown wellness practitioners, hosted community healing circles, and contributed to a living and inclusive understanding of the site’s history.

We are deeply concerned that Reverend Cassandra has been ordered to vacate by January 31. We believe this decision, and the treatment leading up to it, reflects serious governance and equity failures. Community members have raised concerns that include: retaliation after asserting basic tenant rights, unresolved safety requests, removal of business materials from shared spaces, interference with mail, and hostile communication from leadership.

Preservation is not only about buildings. It is also about who is welcomed, supported, and represented today. Losing Black Lotus would harm community trust and repeat patterns of exclusion that a historic site should actively resist.

We respectfully demand that Historic RittenhouseTown take the following actions:

1. Renew the leases and retain Black Lotus:
Issue a public apology and immediately reverse the non-renewal decision. Commit in writing to renewing Reverend Cassandra Ferguson’s commercial and residential leases so Black Lotus can remain at HRT.

2. Adopt and publish an anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policy: 
Draft, adopt, and publicly post a comprehensive policy governing Board actions, tenant relations, and operations. Include clear reporting pathways, protections from retaliation, and defined enforcement steps.

3. Improve governance and create a community oversight body: 

Commit to a restructuring plan that better reflects Philadelphia’s diversity. Establish a Community Advisory Governance Committee with seats selected by surrounding community members and stakeholder organizations to provide oversight, transparency, and equity guidance on programming and tenant relations.

We are asking for a public response to these demands by January 15. If HRT allows the eviction to proceed, it will signal selective stewardship of history and a disregard for the living community HRT claims to serve.

Please sign and share this petition to protect Black Lotus and to ensure fair, accountable governance at Historic RittenhouseTown.