Philly Rising: Difference Makers from KYW Newsradio

Linda Shockley is dedicated to preserving Black history, not just in the month of February, but every day of the year. Though many people may not be familiar with it, the community of Lawnside, New Jersey — right across the bridge from Philadelphia in Camden County — is rich with the relics of nearly 100 years of history and truth.

Dr. Sheena Howard is a trailblazer when it comes to documenting Black history through the lens of the comics industry. KYW Newsradio's Antoinette Lee highlights her in this week's "Philly Rising."

MyKey Cooper is a 16-year-old from North Philadelphia with a lot of talent and charisma. The multi-talented actor, poet and rapper is on a path to stardom and on a mission to shine a light on his hometown. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.

Just a few years ago, Hank Robinson was battling addiction and despair. Now he is in a position to help others meet their needs and overcome the same problems that once held him back.

Tyler Riddick is a bit of a local celebrity. On the surface, she comes off as a shy, giddy, yet too-cool-for-school 21-year-old, but she’s also a girl-boss in the making. The Germantown native recently opened her own creative arts studio in the Fishtown area, Hilvl studios. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee shares her story.

Tawanna Jones-Morrison wants to be "a servant of the community" and help young black girls. KYW Newsradio's Antoinette Lee highlights Jones-Morrison in this week's "Philly Rising"

Ant Brown goes by a number of titles — father, community activist, motivational speaker, youth engager and rapper. His style of rap is a little different from the rap culture that's widely popularized, and it's the reason he's become a role model to hundreds of kids across the city. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more on the "ABRO Experience."

Ryan Harris was born and raised in North Philadelphia, and doesn't want his neighborhood defined by negativity. Through his nonprofit, he's providing a safe haven for children in the neighborhood and giving families the VIP treatment for the holidays.

The 5 Shorts Project is a mentorship program that teaches young people of color how to create short films that represent their lived experiences. The goal is to encourage and support independent filmmakers, and to create space for equal and more diverse representation in media.

Chanel Holland has been on a mission to bring ballet to underserved communities since 2017. Now her Chocolate Ballet Company is presenting a new take on a holiday favorite. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.

Reuben Jones is well known around the City of Brotherly Love for his community service and social justice advocacy. He’s the executive director of Frontline Dads, a nonprofit that mentors at-risk youth and runs violence-prevention programs. Jones says supporting and building the community is really important to the organization.

A Woman’s Place in Bucks County helps hundreds of survivors in domestic abuse situations — the only organization in the county, according to Director Marianne Lynch. And throughout the pandemic, the demand for their essential services has increased. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more on Philly Rising.

While October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, for Dr. Helena Fontes of the New View Institute, everyday is about supporting survivors and fostering healing throughout Philadelphia. 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The loss of a pregnancy or an infant is a common struggle for families, but the conversations and support around it are less common. Kristen Samuelson, founder of Three Little Birds Perinatal, is changing that.

Ubuntu is a philosophy rooted in Africa. The word means "humanity unto others." In Philadelphia's Germantown, it is also an immersive fine art experience. "I wanted, when people walked into the gallery, to feel something — peace, euphoria, zen," says Steven CW Taylor, owner and curator of Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery, 5423 Germantown Ave.

Hundreds of evacuees from Afghanistan have been landing at Philadelphia International Airport. Two women from the city’s restaurant community recently made sure a contingent of new arrivals was met with hot, culturally competent, meals. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has the story.

Officers Justin Harris and Shamsadeen Baukman of the 18th District have spent almost every Friday at the Christy Rec Center in West Philly, for the past 18 weeks. That’s where they helped dozens of kids, ages 8 and up, practice up on their basketball and football 'skills and drills.'

With the help of her mom, 8-year-old Lily Cuticchia organized a bake sale and raised more than $2,000 over the summer. She used the money to create care packages to give to substance abuse patients at Cooper University Hospital.

As distance learning has become the norm, the coronavirus pandemic has been hard for a lot of kids. Through her summer camp, Jiana Murdic is making healthy and wholistic living more accessible and fun at a time when kids could use it the most.

Cornell Wood is a pillar of Philadelphia's art history. He was a teenager when he started working as an usher at the Academy of Music in 1973. He stood out then, not only because of his age. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.

Known for her French toast bites, Charisse McGill is the first Black woman to own and operate a food truck at Spruce Street Harbor, and the first Black woman to create a beer in the state. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee shares her story on Philly Rising.

Nydisha Williams is not letting the legacy of her deceased son end with a random act of violence. As she continues to reckon with her grief, while keeping her son’s light, kindness and excellence alive, she has founded a nonprofit in his name: the Antonio Walker Jr. Foundation. 

The weekly farmer's market, near the corner of 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard in Southwest Philly's Kingsessing neighborhood, is special for a few reasons. They sell food grown just around the corner in the Sankofa Community Farm, in Bartram’s Garden. But the work Sankofa does is less about growing and selling produce than it is about maintaining and honoring the land and its connection...

Once homeless, North Philly native Crystal Evans turned her life around by teaching herself financial literacy. She has since dedicated her time to helping others overcome generational poverty. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee shares her story on Philly Rising.

The Urban Creators headquarters near 11th and Dauphin streets was once a dumping area, littered with trash and unwanted belongings. Today, it’s an escape from the North-Central Philadelphia concrete jungle, according to neighborhood organizer Moore Ali El.