Philadelphia Community Podcast

Pennsylvania’s courts declared that our school funding system is unconstitutional because the quality of students’ education is determined by their zip code. This year lawmakers have a chance to end the underfunding via a proposed $1.8 billion increase for public schools and a long-term commitment to close the entire funding gap.  I’m joined by students who are part of Children First’s Justice in...

For the first time in five years, Philadelphia FIGHT is bringing its HIV Education Summit back to the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St., on Thursday, June 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   Keep Going, Keep Moving, A Cure is in Sight is the theme for the event Philadelphia FIGHT will spearhead in honor of AIDS Education Month. The annual summit raises awareness about the latest innovat...

iHeartMedia participated in the annual NRG Choose to Give Media Flag Football Game which benefits Children's Hospital, Philabundance, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Nemours Children's Hospital.  I speak to Mike Rombach VP and General Manager for NRG Consumer.  .   https://www.picknrg.com/ The newly passed Philadelphia budget removes funding for syringes in needle exchange programs.  Residents in Ken...

 In advance of our 2024 "Sista Strut" Breast Cancer Walk sponsored by WDAS FM, Power 99 and Rumba 106.1 and supported by Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - I speak to Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" Fayanju, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery at Penn Medicine.  Dr, Fayanju discusses the factors that have resulted in higher mortality rates...

I speak to Bonnie Earl, who received the WDAS FM Women of Excellence Sheroe Award for her work in the community especially around hunger.  She brought to my attention a potentially transformative program to create "corner stores" that carry healthy food, the space to prepare it, workforce development training -  that will also serve as a community Hub.  I speak to Alex Imbot, co-founder and CEO of...

The “Right2ReadPhilly” Campaign offers support and resources so busy families can do fun things together that are proven to help kids become strong readers. One is promoting The Freedom Schools Alphabet Song – a phonics base song founded by Black teachers at the Freedom Schools movement of the sixty’s Civil Rights era. I speak to Dr. Heseung Song, President and CEO of Mighty Engine, Elaine Wells,...

You see it every morning on the news. the overnight shooting. The police tape, the bullets encircled by chalk on the ground. New studies show coverage of gun violence can re-traumatize survivors. Two new studies published in Preventive Medicine Reports  and  BMC Public Health  led by corresponding author  Jessica H. Beard, MD, MPH, FACS,  Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Trauma an...

I adopted by son Christopher in 1992 and I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful it’s been being an adoptive mom. I was able to manage the extensive costs but there are countless potential parents who simply can’t afford adoption. We’ll tell you about  wonderful nonprofit called Help us Adopt. First HelpUsAdopt.org, founded in 2007, is a national 501(c)(3) adoption grant program. HelpUsAdopt.org w...

Shine the Light on Sickle Cell is an annual community awareness campaign to celebrate World Sickle Cell Awareness Day on June 19 as proclaimed by the United Nations in 2008 and to advocate for a universal cure. Shine the Light on Sickle Cell is led by a collaborative of 34 nonprofit, community-based organizations in the Northeast United States whose aim is to increase awareness of Sickle Cell Dise...

Together with Forum Philly, the Penn Museum is hosting its inaugural Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 15—ahead of the official holiday—and admission is free for everyone. (Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm)  This family-friendly celebration marks the importance of June 19, 1865, commemorating the emancipation of all enslaved people in the United States. In consultation with our community partner, Forum...

I speak with  Angela Wade about  what was lost when gun violence took her extraordinary son’s life. Joseph Emanuel Daniels III was recognized as a gifted mentor and coach who was first a volunteer at a basketball program at his son's school, which led to his hire as a coach and mentor.  He was killed Dec. 7, 2019.  Angela is featured in a documentary called “The Second Trauma” about how episodic r...

Interfaith Philadelphia, is a  nonprofit whose mission is to equip individuals and communities for interfaith engagement, builds collaborative relationships and stands in solidarity with our diverse neighbors.  I speak to Abby Stamelman Hocky, Executive Director of Interfaith Philadelphia about the organization and how its celebrating it’s 20-year anniversary.     https://www.interfaithphiladelphi...

Blues Babe Foundation (BBF) was founded by GRAMMY Award winning artist and entertainer, Jill Scott, in 2002 to nurture college-bound students of color, artistically and academically.  I speak to Interim Executive Director Aisha Winfield and scholarship recipient Temple student Kyla Gordon about what the organization means to young people. https://bluesbabefoundation.org/    On June 8th there will...

Guest Host Vanesse Lloyd- Sgambati speaks to Frances Hoover , the Executive Director of Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park.  Vanesse also speaks to music and radio icon Dyana Williams for her feature "What is Philadelphia Reading?" https://www.smithplayground.org/ Social media handles Instagram- smithplayground Facebook- Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse Twitter...

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – a good time to get a “Check Up from the Neck Up.”  I speak to Malik Gray, Program Analysis Supervisor at Department of Behavioral Health about a free online survey to check on your mental wellbeing and resources for those seeking help. https://healthymindsphilly.org/mental-health-awareness-month-988/     Philadephia has the highest poverty rate of th...

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month – a good time to get a “Check Up from the Neck Up.”  I speak to Malik Gray, Program Analysis Supervisor at Department of Behavioral Health about a free online survey to check on your mental wellbeing and resources for those seeking help. https://healthymindsphilly.org/mental-health-awareness-month-988/   Melanoma , an aggressive form of skin cancer tha...

Philadephia has the highest poverty rate of the nation’s big cities. The Greenlight Fund Philadelphia  is addressing this issue by finding community-based organizations making a difference and supplying them support to tackle economic and racial inequities, remove barriers and life individuals and families out of poverty. I speak to The GreenLight Fund Philadelphia’s Executive Director Felicia Rin...

Hunger knows no boundaries and I speak to the head of an organization that provides hunger relief to the food insecure in Lower Merion. I talk with Ben Hearn, Board President of the Narberth Community Food Bank. https://narberthcommunityfoodbank.org/  Instagram handle: narberth_food_bank  Facebook: Narberth Community Food Bank  

I chat with Monica J. Washington, Esq. - Chapter President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Tau Delta Omega Chapter about an  elegant event that supports scholarships. It’s the Precious Pearls of Elegance Scholarship Ball  May 19th https://www.taudeltaomegaaka.com/events  

Host Anuj Gupta, President and CEO of the Welcoming Center interviews Zeke Hernandez, author of The Truth About Immigration - Why Successful Societies Welcome Newcomers This book is all about how newcomers benefit you, your community, and your country. Destined to become the go-to book on one of the most important issues of our time, this book turns fear into hope by proving a simple truth: immigr...

There’s an exciting partnership just announced between Community College and Google that will give students access to certificate programs that offering skills training that could lead to life sustaining careers in tech. I speak to Rob Magliaro who  is the Ecosystem Partnerships Lead at Grow with Google. More information, including how to register for courses, is available here . Google Career Cer...

There’s an exciting partnership just announced between Community College and Google that will give students access to certificate programs that offering skills training that could lead to life sustaining careers in tech.  I speak to Rob Magliaro who  is the Ecosystem Partnerships Lead at Grow with Google. More information, including how to register for courses, is available here . Google Career Ce...

Eluna Network – offers support for children, teens and families impacted by grief, addiction, and related mental health issues. I speak to Sarah Behm, Assistant Director, Resource Center, Eluna Network. Website: https://elunanetwork.org/ ·         Facebook: Eluna ·         Twitter: @ElunaNetwork ·         LinkedIn: Eluna Network ·          Instagram: @elunanetwork

I chat with a remarkable young woman who along with friends at her high school started a project to ship books and computers to an under resourced community in Zambia.  Fast forward to 2024 20 years later and Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, Co-founder & Executive Director, African Education Program is now running a program that serves over 4000 children youth and women.  It’s an inspiring story ma...

I speak to talk to Suave Gonzalez, a former juvenile lifer who not only won a Pulitzer prize but is going on tour with Never Give Up Tour at the Perelman Theater on May 30, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Gonzalez will offer an empowering message of resilience, personal growth and culture-focused activism. I also speak to musician Joey DeVille and former corrections officer and returning citizen Rasheeda Highl...