Throughout her campaign to becoming Philadelphia’s 100th mayor, Cherelle Parker has leaned on a trio of informal advisers along the way, writes Sean Collins Walsh for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

They are Tonyelle Cook-Artis, her best friend and ex-chief of staff; Obra Kernodle IV, who worked for Michael Nutter and Tom Wolf; and William Dunbar Sr., who has worked for or advised Chaka Fattah, Cory Booker, and Josh Shapiro.

Each played a key role in Parker’s history-making campaign.

Throughout her career, Cook-Artis has gone almost everywhere Parker has gone.

“I love to serve, I love working with people, I love connecting residents to opportunities, and working on quality-of-life issues,” said Cook-Artis. 

Dunbar has shown a strong knack for building important relationships through chance encounters.

That knack is what will lead him to serve as a confidant of not only the mayor, but also the Council president and governor.

Kernodle’s foray into politics is rooted in his family’s proximity and connection to both local and national political figures.

He’s been a part of Parker’s campaign long before her win seemed like a sure thing.

“This is something that I can tell my kids — that I got the first female mayor elected,” he said. “Hopefully my kids will be proud.”

Read more about Cherelle Parker’s kitchen cabinet at The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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