7000 block of Woodland named for “The People’s Champ”
“Paul ‘Earthquake’ Moore Way” is the new name of the 7000 block of Woodland Avenue. A City Council resolution initiated by his Councilman, Kenyatta Johnson affirmed that honor to the revered Southwest activist, promoter of civic and charitable causes, and church pastor who recently passed away.
“The busy corner at 70th and Woodland is a fitting location for this honor,” said one friend and associate. “I remember so well Quake’s loading up a van beside his church with a hundred cases of bottled water early that August morning in 2005 to drive down to New Orleans to help Katrina victims. It was so typical of Paul to make a few phone calls, raise some money, and actually do something to help others in need.”
Members attending worship at that church, New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church and former neighbors at the Paschal Homes at that corner will look up at the street sign and be reminded of Paul’s lifetime of loving service to Southwest.
The intersection is down the street from the 12th Police District station at 65th where Pastor Paul acted as a police chaplain; and it is just around the corner from Bartram High which he attended. Farther down the block is the grassy lot next to Greater Hope Christian Academy where Moore conducted his “boot camp” for neighborhood youngsters to inculcate by word and deed the values of service, hard work, self-respect, and respect for others that were central to his life.
Quite frequently, 70th and Woodland was the starting point for some of Paul’s unique endeavors: the “24 Hour Food-A-Thon, his Annual Celebrity Turkey Run & Giveaway, and the Weekend of Peace efforts to quell gun violence on the streets of Southwest. Just up a few blocks at Woodland Plaza was where Quake would station himself at Christmas in his bright red costume and flowing white beard as “Community Claus” as he handed out candy canes and toys to fascinated kids.
(Information for this article was provided by Vincent Thompson, Communications Director for Councilman Johnson. A copy of the Council resolution may be found at: https://bit.ly/2MetYlU )
