Joel Spivak

“It’s all about creativity and generosity.  Would you like some relish with that free hot dog?”

Joel Spivak is a native of Philadelphia with a colorful and varied background as an architect, artist, historian, author, community activist and all-around mover and shaker. He was a force behind the South Street Renaissance in the 1970s. He’s been lauded for designing affordable housing. in the 1980s, Joel “Space Man” Spivak ran the Rocketships & Accessories space toy store, a planet packed with ray guns, movie posters, space cadet uniforms and more for old-school sci-fi fans. He put together a little league baseball team at a housing project and rebuilt an abandoned city playground for them to play on. He turned an abandoned supermarket into a community center in North Philly and created an oasis of a park in the middle of Bainbridge Street. He co-founded the Philadelphia Dumpster Divers, a merry band of artists who use found objects and recycled materials to make art. as he has co-authored three photo-packed books on Philadelphia trolleys, trains, and underground transportation, winning him the moniker of “Trolley Lama.” Joel originated Philly’s National Hot Dog Month celebration, leading tours to classic hot dog stands, and giving away freebees for veterans, and summer campers in at-risk neighborhoods, and many a surprised pedestrian.

What did you consider to be genius as a child?

“A genius was a person who had individual thoughts and ideas. they thought about things differently than others did. Their ideas made you see things in a different light.”

What does leadership mean to you?

“A leader is someone who is on their own path but includes others. They have the ability to bring out the best in everyone and are supportive of others' ideas.”

Biography:

Joel Spivak, a native of Philadelphia , has had a varied career in architecture and the arts. His community service is legendary and includes neighborhoods all over the city.Projects ranging from the South Street Renaissance in the 1970’s, the opening of Rocketships & Accessories space toy store in the 1980’s, the Outstanding Achievement in Design for Affordable Housing HUD award in the 1990’s, to managing the Southwark Housing Project baseball team, creating National Hot Dog Month events, and authoring three books on transportation history in Philadelphia, show his lifetime commitment to his neighborhood and his city.