Bridging Philly

Being in nature can be both physically and mentally rejuvenating. Collie Turner, founder of Heroic Gardens, grew up around plants and chose horticulture as a way to give back to veterans. Racquel Williams talks with her and Salome Hall, a Navy veteran and founder of Sisters Affirming Sisterhood who has found community and healing through Heroic Gardens' programs. Then, Shara Dae Howard explores th...

It’s the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, and there’s no better place to celebrate than America’s birthplace, Philadelphia. This week, Shara Dae Howard is taking over for an all Shara in the City special edition, exploring some of the city’s hidden historical treasures. We start at Elfreth’s Alley, one of the country’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets, with a peek at...

Books are a great way for people in prison to improve their literacy, expand their options for when they get out, or simply pass the time . But prison libraries are often limited, if they have libraries at all. Books Through Bars was started to address this problem by sending books to people who request them in prisons. Racquel Williams talks with three volunteers about the history of the organiza...

Black men often find it hard to be vulnerable - they’re taught to be tough and not to show their feelings. But they struggle just as much as the rest of us. When two Black female clinicians noticed a high demand from Black men seeking therapy and facing barriers to access, they started Black Men Heal to offer free individual and group therapy programs for Black men. Racquel Williams talks with one...

Throughout history, barriers have been put up between African Americans and water. Segregated swimming pools, violence and discrimination against Black folks who try to swim in public pools - all of this was documented in the “POOL” exhibit that was on display at Fairmount Water Works from 2022-2023 and has now been transformed into a mobile exhibit. Racquel Williams sits down with a few of the fo...

GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are all over the news and TV ads lately. Are they really a safe way to lose weight? Racquel Williams talks with medical professionals from Penn Medicine’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders about the benefits and risks of GLP-1s, plus how social media impacts body image and how mental health is connected to food. Then, Philly Pride is bigger than ever this year!...

A cancer diagnosis is the beginning of a scary, overwhelming journey that takes a toll on the patient as well as their loved ones. For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation gives cancer patients and their families time to breathe and heal together through travel and “staycation” respite experiences. Founder Marci Schankweiler joins Racquel Williams to talk about the power of respite and their new...

As we look back on 250 years of American history, you might be inspired to look into your own history. Monica O. Montgomery believes it’s important to preserve your family’s legacy, as she did after her parents passed away. Out of her grief and healing journey grew the DiasporaDNA Story Center, an “un-museum” and cultural center offering workshops, talks, bus tours, and more experiences centered a...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, yet funding to support patients can be hard to come by because of the stigma attached to it. While smoking is associated with lung cancer, many people who have never smoked are diagnosed with the disease. Racquel Williams talks with Ride Hard Breathe Easy, an organization that raises funds and awareness for lung cancer patients through community b...

For decades, women have been taught that they don’t need to understand money - their fathers or husbands will handle that. But women, whether single, married, divorced, or widowed, should feel confident taking control of their own financial present and future. Regina McCann Hess is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, President of Forge Wealth Management, and author of "Super Woman Wealth: How t...

Philly Truce formed in response to the rise in homicides in 2020, with a mission to stop the violence and support sustainable Black manhood. Five years later, they’ve made tremendous progress with efforts like their Peace Patrol, and they’re celebrating with a gala on May 8. Racquel Williams talks with their co-founder Mazzie Casher and Executive Director Kelly Greene. Learn more about Philly Truc...

Autism and neurodiversity are becoming better represented in media - like the HBO medical drama “The Pitt”, which features a neurodivergent character, Dr. Mel King. A Philadelphia doctor actually helped create that character and has made major contributions to autism research nationally and internationally. As we close out Autism Acceptance Month, Racquel Williams talks with Dr. Wendy Ross, direct...

Millions of menstruating people worldwide experience period poverty and have trouble accessing the products they need. Many people skip work or school during their cycles, or have to choose between paying for pads or food. It’s a large-scale problem, but one woman is trying to help the Philadelphia community on the ground. Shelley Aragoncillo created sheds full of free menstrual and postpartum pro...

Theater has the power to move people to make change, and Jay Sefton is hoping to draw on that with his one-man play, “ Unreconciled ,” which tells his story of being sexually assaulted by a parish priest as a 13-year-old. The play is touring Pennsylvania ahead of potential action in the State Senate on two bills that would revise the state’s statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual...

Being in nature can be both physically and mentally rejuvenating. Collie Turner, founder of Heroic Gardens , grew up around plants and chose horticulture as a way to give back to veterans. Racquel Williams talks with her and Salome Hall, a Navy veteran and founder of Sisters Affirming Sisterhood who has found community and healing through Heroic Gardens' programs. Then, Shara Dae Howard explores t...

Philadelphia is at the heart of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, so there’s no better time to look at some of our city’s unique history. First, Racquel Williams talks with two producers of a docuseries highlighting women who made important contributions to the founding of America, but whose stories have been hidden. “For the Common Good: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation” is a partnership b...

A group of Philadelphia school parents from across the city have come together to make a powerful movement supporting all students in the district. Lift Every Voice first fought to get nurses in every school, and most recently, they achieved a major win when the district created a new wellness policy ensuring that teachers won’t withhold things like bathroom breaks and recess as punishment. Racque...

A new report from Children First called “Pa’Lante – State of Hispanic Children” shows that Hispanic children in Philadelphia are not receiving equitable access to things like education and health care. Racquel Williams talks with representatives from Children First about their initiative based on this report, bringing people together from across the city to support Hispanic children and help them...

As kids, work, and life get hectic, it’s easy to lose the connection in marriage. Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, senior pastor of Live Well Church in New Jersey, wrote a book called “Restore Us” to help married couples have tough conversations and return to the foundation of their relationship: each other. He talks with Racquel Williams about what often goes wrong in marriages and how to get back to “us”...

Food insecurity is an ongoing problem, especially with recent changes to SNAP benefits and the economy. Mark Wainwright founded It Takes a Village to Feed One Child in 2017 to provide meals to families in need. They’ve since partnered with many local organizations to expand on the types of holistic enrichment they can offer, from education to financial literacy. Racquel Williams talks with Mark an...

Black educators are navigating classrooms where their presence is shrinking and the history they teach is being challenged. Racquel Williams talks with Sharif El-Mekki, founder and CEO of The Center for Black Educator Development , and Ismael Jimenez, Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia, about the 100-year legacy of Black History Month and the undeniable i...

The Lighthouse has been a neighborhood hub, hosting programs and events for the North Philly community, since 1893. They pride themselves on bringing people together and showcasing different cultures - which makes them the perfect partner for Cantina La Martina to host their annual La Tamalada festival, celebrating a Mexican tradition centered around tamales. Racquel Williams learns more about the...

As we’re seeing ICE activity increased, DEI efforts rolled back, LGBTQ+ protections removed, and historical exhibits about slavery taken down, many are concerned that we are moving backwards in terms of civil rights. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission handles complaints and upholds civil rights laws here in the commonwealth. Racquel Williams speaks with them about what they’re hearing fro...

When young people age out of the foster care system at age 18, they often don’t have a place to go. In South Jersey, young women who can’t afford their own place or college yet, or who just need some support, can go to Unique Sistas Transitional House , recently established by Yolanda Stephenson. Racquel Williams talks with Yolanda and their Housing and Community Development Manager, Tracy Harris,...

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati started the African American Children’s Book Project to inspire young readers and uplift Black authors. Their upcoming book fair on February 7 will feature award-winning authors, book giveaways, and more. Racquel Williams talks with Vanesse and one of the authors being featured at the book fair, Carole Boston Weatherford , about the importance of representation in children’s...