Philadelphia Community Podcast

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...

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...

Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change.  I speak to Chad Eric Smith, Senior Director of Communications and Brand Management for Mural Arts about the organization celebrating 40 years of work empowering people, stimulating dialogue, and building bridges to mutual understanding through projects that attract artists from Phi...

I’m a strong believer in redemption because as I often say – every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.  That’s why I devote so much time to addressing criminal justice and reform. I’ve spent many years working with lifers first at Graterford and then at SCI Phoenix where I’ve met some extraordinary men. Some are out like former juvenile lifers Pulitzer Prize winner Suave Gonzalez or G...

I’m a strong believer in redemption because as I often say – every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.  That’s why I devote so much time to addressing criminal justice and reform. I’ve spent many years working with lifers first at Graterford and then at SCI Phoenix where I’ve met some extraordinary men. Some are out like former juvenile lifers Pulitzer Prize winner Suave Gonzalez or G...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks to Vikki Tobak, Guest Curator of the exhibit ICE COLD: AN EXHIBITION OF HIP-HOP JEWELRY at The American Museum of Natural History VIKKI TOBAK is an author, journalist, and curator.  She is the author of critically acclaimed books CONTACT HIGH: A VISUAL HISTORY OF HIP-HOP (Clarkson Potter/Random House), 2018); ICE COLD: A HIP-HOP JEWELRY HISTORY (Taschen 202...

 The DELCO Foundation is hosting Delco Gives Day – a 24-hour day of giving which kicks off May 8th at 7:00 p.m. and wraps up at 7:00 p.m. on May 9th. I speak to Frances M. Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County about the event and the work of the Foundation to support local organizations providing critical services and resources for the community. https://delcofoundation.org/ https...

Sunday April 28th I’ll be joining thousands at the Philadelphia Navy Yard for the 2024 Gift of Life Donor Dash to raise awareness about the critical importance of organ donation. I speak to Philadephia hit performing artist Freeway who will be there and who shares his experience as not only a kidney transplant recipient but also a donor parent whose late son provided four people with lifesaving or...

The DELCO Foundation is hosting Delco Gives Day – a 24-hour day of giving which kicks off May 8th at 7:00 p.m. and wraps up at 7:00 p.m. on May 9th. I speak to Frances M. Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County about the event and the work of the Foundation to support local organizations providing critical services and resources for the community.   https://delcofoundation.org/ http...

When it comes to HIV and AIDS, we can get to zero infections, zero deaths and zero stigma. at the beginning of this pandemic - that hope seemed impossible but with the advent of new drugs that greatly reduce the chance of HIV infection among the sexually active - maybe this dream is possible through the use of PrEP – a regular treatment that reduces the risk of HIV up to 99 percent. I speak to loc...

I speak to Bakari Sellers the author of The Moment -Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We Can All Move Forward Now.  The book examines the modern political landscape and explores the forces at work to undermine civil rights gains over the past fifty years and offers solutions for a better tomorrow. Sellers will be speaking at   Philadelphia Free Library on Thursday at 7:30PM April...

This week marks Black Maternal Health Week , a time to raise awareness about the alarming disparities in care experienced by Black mothers and babies. In this episode, we hear from Jenne Johns , founder of Once Upon a Preemie , a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Black families navigating the challenges of premature birth. Jenne recently testified before Philadelphia City Council to advocate for i...

One of my favorite youth development programs is the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia. I speak to   Lisbeth Marziello, President and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Philadelphia and   Ariel Goldring - Executive Vice President Strategic support training and systematic Development about the organization’s programs and their upcoming Coaches Private Reserve Dinner April 25th.   https://bgcphil...

On May 4th, The Hey Girl! Conference creates space and opportunity for women to belong by providing a community of women who bare their most vulnerable thoughts and experiences.” In sharing ourselves, we cultivate healing from within and for others that provides the foundation for us to be our authentic selves.”  I speak to Cassandra Burnett, founder of the Hey Girl! Conference, Summer Willow-Fitc...

I talk to Carolyn Sims Nesmith, Founder/Director of CSN Productions which is hosting at. Meet and Greet for the Youth Performing Arts Program: Musical Theater Camp, on Saturday, April 20, 2024, 12 to 2 p.m. at CSN Productions, 3510 Scotts Lane, #3015A in the East Falls section of Philly. The program is six weeks and runs from   July 8 through August 16th. Registration deadline is June 10. www.csnp...

Media coverage of gun violence can do more harm than good and retraumatize survivors and their family and friends.   I speak to Jim MacMillian and Oronde McClain from the Philadephia Center for Gun Violence Reporting about the Philadelphia premiere of a powerful documentary “The Second Trauma” what shows the harmful effects of episodic gun violence and how the media can do better.  The event takes...

  Think college isn’t for you.  Think you can’t afford it?  Consider Community College of Philadelphia which will close down 17th Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill Streets for a big block party with food, music, swag and more to announce the new college brand. I speak to Dr. Shannon Rooney, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications, Community College of Philade...

  Think college isn’t for you.  Think you can’t afford it?  Consider Community College of Philadelphia which will close down 17th Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill Streets for a big block party with food, music, swag and more to announce the new college brand. I speak to Dr. Shannon Rooney, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications, Community College of Philade...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks to Astronomer and author Deborah Skapik about the upcoming total eclipse of the sun. Her book is "Look UP, Below!  an educator's guide to the April 8, 2024 total eclipse of the Sun" available at tinyurl.com/debseclipsebook Skapik recommends Glasses must be ISO 12312-2 rating. No glasses?  Use a kitchen colander to project the image of the Sun onto the groun...

Want to have a fabulous time for a great cause – look no further than the AIDS Fund’s Black-Tie Gay Bingo which takes place April 6th at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. I speak to this year’s honoree Dr. Ronald (Ron) Collman, Director of the Penn Center for AIDS Research and a professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and...

Want to have a fabulous time for a great cause – look no further than the AIDS Fund’s Black-Tie Gay Bingo which takes place April 6th at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. I speak to this year’s honoree Dr. Ronald (Ron) Collman, Director of the Penn Center for AIDS Research and a professor of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and...

First, while Kensington is in the news for its many challenges - there are individuals who are working to make the community a place to grow and thrive.  I speak to Nicole Moy, whose family has called Kensington home for decades.  Moy has created "The Bridge" an art gallery and event space in her neighborhood.  The first major show is a pop-up exhibit "The Bridge to Kensington" featuring two activ...

Are you a Philly high school student passionate about the creative arts or business?  Check out the   I AM PHL contest presented by PhillyGoes2College and Vanguard. You can submit now to win $1,000 and take the stage at this year’s Wawa Welcome America Festival. To tell us more I speak to Kelly Staskel, Director of the Philadelphia Postsecondary Success Program and PhillyGoes2College at the Philad...

Are you a Philly high school student passionate about the creative arts or business?  Check out the   I AM PHL contest presented by PhillyGoes2College and Vanguard. You can submit now to win $1,000 and take the stage at this year’s Wawa Welcome America Festival. To tell us more I speak to Kelly Staskel, Director of the Philadelphia Postsecondary Success Program and PhillyGoes2College at the Philad...

Are you a Philly high school student passionate about the creative arts or business?  Check out the  I AM PHL contest presented by PhillyGoes2College and Vanguard. You can submit now to win $1,000 and take the stage at this year’s Wawa Welcome America Festival. To tell us more I speak to Kelly Staskel, Director of the Philadelphia Postsecondary Success Program and PhillyGoes2College at the Philade...