Philadelphia Woman Honored as 5,000th ‘Phambassador’

America's 250th birthday is coming soon. To celebrate, the city of Philadelphia is asking locals to help tell its story, and one Philly native is being honored in a big way.

Nadira Tarboro from Southwest Philadelphia has been named the city's 5,000th "Phambassador," a volunteer role created to promote Philadelphia during its upcoming 250th birthday celebrations in 2026. The Philadelphia Visitor Center launched the "Phambassador" program to help welcome visitors and tell positive stories about the city.

Tarboro, owner of the Philadelphia Candle Company, said she is proud to represent the City of Brotherly Love in this way. She's called Philadelphia home her entire life. Tarboro said she was unaware she was the 5,000th volunteer when she signed up.

"I think we are so used to people acknowledging the bad things that happen in Philadelphia," Tarboro said in a statement shared with CBS News Philadelphia. "But there are so many good things — great things — happening in this city, and we need to be advocates of that and really promote that."

Tarboro was honored at Reading Terminal Market with a gift card and an 18-pound ham during a celebration held on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

"Philadelphia is shining brightly today as we bestow the first-ever Pham to our 5,000th Phambassador, Nadira Tarboro. Congratulations!" said Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation, in a statement during the presentation ceremony.

The city aims to recruit 10,000 Phambassadors to assist during the 2026 celebrations. To become a Phambassador, go to the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation's website and sign a pledge to promise that you will rep Philly with pride.