Philadelphia Community Podcast

Guest Host Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati talks about Floyd Cooper Day - honoring one of Children's literatures’ most celebrated illustrators during Children's Book Week May 3-9th. To talk about Floyd's legacy Vanesse speaks to Carl Lennertz - Executive Director of the Children's Book Council and authors Carole Boston Weatherford, Leah Henderson, and Sharon Langley. In addition to the many events sponsore...

April is National Healthcare Decisions Month, a time to educate the public about the importance of advance care planning, and inspire and empower everyone to put a plan in place. Having a living will could be one of the greatest gifts to your family. It allows you to name the person who should make healthcare decisions for you in case you cannot speak for yourself due to illness or injury. I speak...

April is National Healthcare Decisions Month, a time to educate the public about the importance of advance care planning, and inspire and empower everyone to put a plan in place. Having a living will could be one of the greatest gifts to your family. It allows you to name the person who should make healthcare decisions for you in case you cannot speak for yourself due to illness or injury. I speak...

Urban renewal in the sixties and seventies was supposed to revitalize neighborhoods living in poverty. Instead, this government funded program erased many black communities including a neighborhood in Athens, Georgia called Linnentown. I speak to author and activist Hattie Thomas Whitehead who chronicled efforts to seek justice on behalf of Linnentown and it’s first descendants in her book “Giving...

It’s been 50 years since the enactment of the federal Clean Water Act with the goal of making all waters across the U.S. “Fishable and Swimmable.” I speak with Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of The Environmental Integrity Project who tells us the promise of the legislation is only half fulfilled. https://environmentalintegrity.org/ https://environmentalintegrity.org/news/clean-water-acts-promi...

Starting on April 18th the city of Philadelphia returns to indoor mask requirements. I speak with Deputy Health Commissioner Frank Franklin with the latest on COVID 19, guidance on vaccinations and masks as well as resources. www.phila.gov/covid19 There is a pressing need for organ donation. I talk about National Donate Life Month with Rick Hasz, Gift of Life President and CEO and transplant recip...

We love shining a light on extraordinary people and this morning we speak with Dixieanne James who is truly the definition of extraordinary. Initially contemplating a medical degree – James decided she could make a real impact on the health of communities including addressing health disparities in communities of color by choosing the path that has taken her to her current position. Since first spe...

Should you get a second booster shot? I speak with Jessica McDonald Science Editor of FactCheck.org about the latest information on boosters. https://www.factcheck.org/2022/04/scicheck-qa-on-second-covid-19-boosters-for-older-people/ Have you ever gone to the vet and come away having spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars? Or have you put off going – just because you know a vet bill would brea...

The work of Resolve Philly centers on improving how misrepresented communities are covered by the media. I speak Derrick Cain, Community Engagement Editor for Resolve Philly about their efforts to support journalism that thoughtfully considers how stories are found, framed and told. The organization also works to build a community of leaders and transform how communities engage with news and infor...

When young people have the arts in their lives – they do better – better in school and better in life. But so many young people lack access to high quality music education. That’s where Play on Philly comes in offering students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade music instruction and instruments to go along with it. And for students who are serious about pursuing a career in music there's there’s...

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) Central Europe has been dealing with the Ukraine refugee crisis from the beginning. I speak with Sebastian Rejack from Warsaw, Poland about their aid efforts. https://www.ajc.org/news/standwithukraine-fund-provides-support-to-organizations-aiding-refugees Back on My Feet Back on My Feet uses the power of fitness and community to motivate and support individuals...

Back on My Feet Back on My Feet uses the power of fitness and community to motivate and support individuals every step of the way from homelessness to independence. I speak to Nicole Smith Director, Volunteer Services - Back on My Feet about ways volunteers can help. www.backonmyfeet.org La Liga del Barrio (LLDB) was founded in January of 2000 with the vision of using basketball and sports as a me...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati speaks with James Beard Award winning Chef and educator Bryant Terry, author of Afro-Vegan and Vegetable Kingdom. Bryant Terry will be speaking at the Free Library at the Parkway Central Library Tuesday April 12th at noon on Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora. The event is free. To register go to: https://libwww.freelibrary.org/...

I speak with Philadelphia’s Commissioner of Streets Carlton Williams about the 15th Philly Spring Clean Up. The 2022 PSC will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 9a- 2p. The Street Department’s signature event has served as the City’s largest cleanup event taking place citywide in a single day. Residents can register a project — including park and neighborhood cleanups — or register as a volun...

I speak with Philadelphia’s Commissioner of Streets Carlton Williams about the 15th Philly Spring Clean Up. The 2022 PSC will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 9a-2p. The Street Department’s signature event has served as the City’s largest cleanup event taking place citywide in a single day. Residents can register a project — including park and neighborhood cleanups — or register as a volunt...

I speak with City Councilmember Derrek Green, about the recent passage of his legislationto establish the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority, which would hold the nation’s first municipally owned financial institution. We talked about what this will mean for for Black and Brown businesses and other underrepresented organizations that struggle with gaining access to capital. https://phlcouncil...

The McDonald’s jingle, the Law and Order theme: these are just a few of the sounds that allow us to immediately recognize a brand. I talk with Dave Allan, the author of Super Sonic Logos: The Power of Audio Branding who tells us the history of some of the most famous “sonic logos” from the people who created them. https://tinyurl.com/Super-Sonic-Logos You won’t want to miss my interview with Larry...

You won’t want to miss my interview with Larry Miller and his daughter Laila Lacy. They are coauthors of "Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom" It’s a compelling story of the highly successful chairman of Nike’s Jordan Brand who for decades hid the fact he served time as a teenager for the murder of an 18-year-old. It’s a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness. https://l...

Managing your energy bill can be a challenge – especially during this pandemic. The good news is that there are programs to help. I speak to Patricia King PECO Manager, Community Engagement who fills us in on assistance programs that can help meet every customer’s circumstances. www.peco.com/help

There are many books about relationships, but I was impressed by Dr. Diana Kirschner’s book “Sealing the Deal: the Love Mentors Guide to Lasting Love.” For those looking for love I think you’ll find her helpful – plus she’s a hoot. https://lovein90days.com/diana-kirschner/ There’s a growing number of people who’ve decided not to have kids. I speak to John Seager President of the Population Connect...

Phil Brooks, Director, STEM Workforce Partnerships University City Science Center talks about their Workforce Development program which connects Philadelphians to jobs at science and tech companies in University City and beyond. https://sciencecenter.org/programs/workforce-development Kena Sears-Brown, Director of Continuing Professional Education & Workforce Initiatives at Drexel University Goodw...

From the Archives: Author Mary-Frances Winters writes that Black people, young and old, are physically, mentally, and emotionally drained because of systemic racism. We discuss her book Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit - the first book to define and explore Black fatigue, the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on the physical and psychological health of Black pe...

When you go grocery shopping you know what things costs - because the labels are right there. But what about medical expenses? We rarely know what we're paying for. Author Phillip Moeller has written a book "Get What's Yours for Health Care: How to Get the Best Care at the Right Price" to help the average consumer navigate the complicated world of medical expenses. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Whats...

The Network of Neighbors Trauma Response Network is composed of community members trained to support — and lead — responses to stress, trauma, loss, and violence within their own communities. I speak with Yolanda Hughes, Director of Network of Neighbors about how the organization utilizes trusted leaders within a community to facilitate a neighborhood's unique trauma response. 267-233-4837 https:/...

What better way to support Black Girls than to speak with them directly and ask what they need? The Black Girls Research report did exactly that. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women has partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc Zeta Omega Chapter which is marking its 100th year anniversary. They have compiled the lived experiences of Black girls across the state of Delaware and how they...