Chester honors Avery*Sunshine with street renaming, proclamation

CHESTER, Pa. (WPVI) -- Chester honored one of its brightest stars, Avery* Sunshine, by renaming Edwards Street at West 4th Street as "Avery*Sunshine Way," recognizing the Grammy Award-winning artist's extraordinary career.

"That little girl is standing here today, and Chester just put her name on a sign," said Avery*Sunshine. "It has eclipsed that feeling when they call our name for the Grammys."

The city also proclaimed April 10 as Avery*Sunshine Day. The ceremony took place at the very church where Avery*Sunshine said her musical journey began.

"Even in this space you are interviewing me, I remember coming down after I played one of my first songs, oh God, it was Children Are the Future," she said.

For the artist, the recognition goes beyond a street sign; it reflects the impact of her community.

"This is really moving y'all -- if my father was here," she said. "I'm so glad my mother is still alive to see this moment."

"Chester doesn't name streets after finished people. Chester names streets after people who made the city believe in something," she added.

Avery*Sunshine said she hopes to pass that same belief on to the next generation.

"You can be anything you want to be, anything you decide to be," she said.

"Thank you, Chester, for giving me more purpose. I love you. I am you. You are and will forever he my sunshine," she added.