Philadelphia Community Podcast

Arts education is a critical part of a child’s education and yet – music and art classes are often the first to go when budgets are cut. I speak to Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens and Children and Youth which just issued a report showing the critical value of arts in education. Cooper also discusses PCCY’s Picasso Project which gives arts education a boost in several schools in...

Today we’re going to devote a good portion of the show to legislation that could have a profound effect on the way the top tech companies operate. We’’ll be talking pro and con on the issue with Jake Ward, President Connected Commerce Council and Katie Paul, Executive Director of the Tech Transparency Project Tech Transparency Project. https://connectedcouncil.org/ https://www.techtransparencyproj...

Before my mom passed – she insisted on staying in her home. That was challenging as she started to decline. what if there was a program that help our elders age safely at home? I speak with Roosevelt Hairston, CEO of the Hairston Foundation for Social Justice which is partnering with Hands from the Heart Home Healthcare Services in an innovative program that helps seniors in the Philadelphia regio...

I love my Soul Food but not the fat and salt that comes with it. So, I was delighted to speak with celebrity Chef Rene Johnson who has mastered the art of creating delicious, healthy Soul Food. https://www.blackberrysoul.net/

There’s grant money available for individuals and groups working to increase the peace - between 500 and 50K and you don’t have to be a registered nonprofit. But the deadline is coming fast. Erica Atwood, Senior Director, Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice & Public Safety at City of Philadelphia gives us all the details. To get an application email ovpinfo@phila.gov ....

How would you like to get your Associates degree, have the tuition largely paid for and get the resources you need to successfully graduate? That’s the goal of Community College of Philadelphia’s Octavius Catto Scholarship. I speak with Dr. Aubria Nance, Associate Director for the Octavius Catto Scholarship and Idris Washington, Catto Scholar. https://www.ccp.edu/catto The tech space has far to go...

Angel Aviles worked with some of the great filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino and Roberto Rodriguez. Aviles suffered from depression, anxiety and panic attacks and she charts her journey of healing in the book "Too Happy to Be Sad Girl.' I speak to Aviles about her evolution from actress to life coach, motivational speaker and advocate for social justice. To hear an excerpt reading of the book...

The organization that produced Philly’s Pride Parade and Outfest shut down suddenly amid charges of transphobia and lack of diversity in its leadership. A new coalition has formed to create programming that is both diverse and inclusive. I speak with activist Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, from the Black and Brown about the issues leading up to Philly Pride Presents’ implosion and plans for a reimagined Out...

The organization that produced Philly’s Pride Parade and Outfest shut down suddenly amid charges of transphobia and lack of diversity in its leadership. A new coalition has formed to create programming that is both diverse and inclusive. I speak with activist Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, from the Black and Brown about the issues leading up to Philly Pride Presents’ implosion and plans for a reimagined Out...

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati chats with author and gossip columnist Flo Anthony. Christopher Sample, Chief of Staff for City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson is the guest for the feature "What is Philadelphia Reading?"

What a difference our sports teams make in the lives of fans in the greater Philadelphia area. Some of our greatest moments of joy and darkest moments of despair have been triggered by our love hate relationship with our teams. That’s why we’re devoting the entire show to one of the great sports storytellers, Ray Didinger, author of "Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and Hear...

On June 12th Sunday morning when a gunman opened fire at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. Fifty people died in the incident, including the gunman, among them was Philadelphia high school basketball star 18 year old Akyra Monet Murray and another 58 were injured, 53 by gunfire and five by other causes. Some survivors were critically injured including Patience Carter, Akyra’s brother Alex Murray...

What a difference our sports teams make in the lives of fans in the greater Philadelphia area. Some of our greatest moments of joy and darkest moments of despair have been triggered by our love hate relationship with our teams. That’s why we’re devoting the entire show to one of the great sports storytellers, Ray Didinger, author of "Finished Business: My Fifty Years of Headlines, Heroes, and Hear...

Look Toward the Mountain is a podcast series that tells the stories of Japanese Americans who were interned at Heart Mountain during WWI demonstrating the innovation, creativity, and resilience that enabled the Japanese American community to endure this unjust ordeal. I speak to Philadelphia Japanese American Citizens League Board Chair and Japanese American filmmaker Rob Buscher, host and produce...

Despite traumas of the pandemic, violence and poverty, most Black men won’t admit they need #mentalhealth support. I along with DJCosmicKev, and the Black Barbers address how to erase the stigma that prevents men from getting help. With special guests Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, Director, Behavioral Health and Justice Division Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbili...

After successfully expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine for the older, more vulnerable residents in underserved communities, Keystone First -- the largest Medicaid health plan in southeastern PA -- is shifting its focus to helping teens and young adults gain access to the vaccine. I speak to Keystone First Market President Joanne McFall and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lily Higgins about why some...

Despite traumas of the pandemic, violence and poverty, most Black men won’t admit they need #mentalhealth support. Join DJCosmicKev, Loraine Ballard Morrill and the Black Barbers as they address how to erase the stigma that prevents men from getting help. With special guests Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, Director, Behavioral Health and Justice Division Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health a...

If we know one thing it is this, children belong with families. National Reunification Month is celebrated in June of each year to recognize the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. It is also a time to celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to providing a safe and loving home for their children and are able to reunify after their child was placed in...

If we know one thing it is this, children belong with families. National Reunification Month is celebrated in June of each year to recognize the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. It is also a time to celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to providing a safe and loving home for their children and are able to reunify after their child was placed in...

Schools cover math and reading literacy but what about financial literacy? The Business Center is holding Youth and Money Camp June, July and August. I speak with Pamela Rich Wheeler Executive Director the Business Center and Victoria Tyson of Victoria’s Kitchen who has sent her grandchildren to the camp. For more info go to www.thebizctr.com/youth or call 215-247-2473 To mark Juneteenth in Ardmor...

Philadelphia is experiencing a housing construction boom which is transforming neighborhoods. The downside is that shoddy construction practices for some developments have jeopardized nearby homes with longtime homeowners facing damage to their properties. I speak to Venise Whitaker, Neighbor activist and Founder of The Riverwards L+I Coalition FB Page which serves as watchdogs in the River Wards...

Building wealth in the black community has been a challenge because of systemic racism. A group called the Collective is working to generating wealth within the Black community and for neighborhoods victimized by systemic racism. I speak with Sandra Dungee Glenn Founder/CEO, The Collective, a group of Black real estate developers, investment professionals and policy experts advancing social impact...

Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati hosts her once a month segment – VLS Journeys with an interview with actress and songwriter Dawnn Lewis who will be honored June 25, 2021 by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington’s inaugural Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. https://tinyurl.com/ruyahpcu Lewis also talks about her nonprofit - A New Day Foundation which is sponsoring scholarships for 3 up and coming...

The COVID pandemic has weighed heavily on the mental wellbeing of so many of us. Add to that the health disparities that exists for black and brown people and the additional trauma and stress that come with facing systemic racism. This morning we highlight Independence Blue Cross’ Know Your Mind. a new mental health public awareness campaign which aims to educate the community about symptoms of de...

Promising new research may soon help treat, and one day cure, the chronic disease. But what’s the worth of a cure if there’s a lack of access. Health disparities is the theme of this year’s Philadelphia FIGHT has hosted the HIV Prevention and Education Summit. I speak with Kyle Chvasta, Public Programs Manager Philadelphia FIGHT. https://fight.org/ Recovery Idol was founded in 2011 to showcase the...