A city with Arabian-themed street names such as Ali Baba Avenue, Sabur Lane and Sultan Avenue now has one that bears the name of the nation’s first African-American president. Perviz Avenue was renamed “President Barack Obama Avenue” on Presidents’ Day (Feb. 16), making Opa-locka, located in northwest Miami, the first U.S. city to name a street after the 44th president.

“Someone asked me, ‘Why honor him if he hasn’t done anything yet?’ But he has already done so much,” said Vice-mayor Dorothy Johnson, who came up with the idea. "President Obama gave hope to the younger generation. This is a plus for South Florida,” she said.

The council voted on Johnson’s resolution at its Dec. 10 meeting, just five weeks after Obama won the Nov. 4 presidential election. Perviz Avenue is one of the oldest streets in the city and runs for about three-fourths of a mile north to south from Oriental Boulevard to Ali Baba Avenue.

The street is predominantly commercial near Ali Baba Avenue and residential around Oriental Boulevard. Opa-locka’s city hall, public library and administrative municipal complex are all located near the avenue.

"That street represents a renaissance,” said Opa-locka Mayor Joseph Kelley. “Perviz has undergone major improvements. So that street represents a new beginning and our president is a new beginning for our nation.”

The city, which has a nearly 70 percent black population, is one of a handful of Miami-Dade cities with a majority black council or commission. Opa-locka was founded in 1926 and has a population of about 15,000.

Mayor Kelley hopes President Barack Obama Avenue will be a lasting legacy from his administration to future generations.

“This will give young people the chance to walk down the street named after the first African-American president,” Kelley said. “This has a special impact for the city of Opa-locka as we undergo a renaissance along with our nation ushering in Barack Obama. Before it was always, 'No you can't.' But now it is 'Yes you can and yes you will.'”

Corey Ealons, who served as director of communications for African-American media during Obama’s campaign, said he would be informing the president about Opa-locka’s steps to honor him but could not comment on whether the president would be on hand for the official ceremonies.

But actress and former Opa-locka resident Jo Marie Payton has confirmed that she will participate in the official renaming ceremony. Payton, who appeared on the sitcom “Family Matters,” will serve as grand marshal of the parade, which will precede the naming ceremony.

President Obama’s rise to the White House has inspired people throughout the nation, not least the citizens of Opa-locka, a city troubled with both crime and poverty.

"This whole election shows that if you work hard, get your education, and be respectful, you can be anyone you want to be," said Vice-mayor Johnson.

Today Opa-locka, tomorrow the world

The city of Opa-locka may be the first to honor Barack Obama by naming a street after him, but other towns and cities across the United States and worldwide are following suit in their own creative ways.

* St. Louis is proposing to change Delmar Boulevard, historically a road demarcating the African American community from the white community, to Barack Obama Boulevard.

* Two elementary schools, one in Compton, Calif., and the other in Hempstead, N.Y., have adopted the “Barack Obama” name.

* Citing the newly elected president’s ability to bridge racial gaps, Mayor Ricardo Arnal of Naquera, Spain, has proposed to rename a street ‘Calle Barack Obama.’

* Baldwin Spencer, prime minister of Antigua, is renaming the nation’s 1,300 foot Boggy Peak, Mount Obama.

Rate: