Philadelphia Community Podcast

One year ago, May 25, 2020 – George Floyd’s murder galvanized the nation and sparked massive protests about racial injustice not seen since the Civil Rights movement of the Sixties. We’re re-airing an interview with Michael Eric Dyson, whose book Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America is as relevant now as it was when first broadcast last year. https://g.co/kgs/zggdLh

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. We highlight Independence Blue Cross’ Know Your Mind" - a new mental health public awareness campaign which aims to educate the community about symptoms of depression an...

A miscarriage can take a terrible emotional toll on a mother – but what about the dad? I speak to author Ted Yang who shares his experience coping with miscarriage in the book Table for Five: A Father’s Story of Life, Love, and Loss. https://www.amazon.com/Ted-Yang/e/B08LSX6TTV%3Fref =dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share No question the pandemic has been tough on everyone – but for many it’s also been an oppo...

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 d...

With series like Barry Jenkins’The Underground Railroad - we are seeing vivid and devastating story telling around the atrocity of slavery in America. As painful as it can be to visit this subject – it’s also important to understand the impact of this country’s history of enslaving Africans and the institutional racism imbedded in our institutions as a result. I speak to Gwen Ragsdale, Executive D...

For years – driving on my way to the airport I’d have to roll up my window as I passed by the Philadelphia energy solutions refinery because of the smell. The refinery is shut down – but hazardous benzene fumes still threatened the nearby neighborhood. We’ll talk about the dangers of benzene and why we should be paying attention with Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrit...

Are you a BIPOC owned business? Comcast RISE has been giving out 10-thousand-dollar grants, support services and resources to help these businesses thrive. The program has already awarded nearly 100 businesses in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey grants along with technology and marketing resources. I speak to recipient Dewain Johnson from 215Media, a Philadelphia based creative agency, about th...

Have you seen HBO’s Watchmen or Lovecraft Country? These were two extraordinary science fiction and fantasy series that brought to popular culture a little known and horrendous chapter in our history - the Tulsa race massacre. In 2021 we mark the 100th anniversary of this unspeakable crime. I speak to author Carole Boston Weatherford who along with award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper have creat...

Independence Blue Cross is honoring nurses with their Celebrate Caring Campaign. I speak with Koleen Cavanaugh, VP Marketing for IBX who tells us about the program that honors the passion and dedication of these frontline workers. I also speak to the three winners: Michelle Jackson-Ware from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , Cookie Sanchez from BAYADA Home Health Care and Steve Footit with the...

Independence Blue Cross is honoring nurses with their Celebrate Caring Campaign. I speak with Koleen Cavanaugh, VP Marketing for IBX who tells us about the program that honors the passion and dedication of these frontline workers. I also speak to the three winners: Michelle Jackson-Ware from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Cookie Sanchez from BAYADA Home Health Care and Steve Footit with the...

One of the casualties of the Philadelphia's budget cuts due to COVID was the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The arts community and elected officials were able to work to put back some of the money, but it was less than half previously budgeted. I speak to Barbara Silzle, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund about the impact of these cuts and the critical nature of the arts in the life...

The BPHL Innovation Fest Content Architect, Film Fest, and College Innovation Classic submissions are now open for creative thinkers and doers across all industries who want to showcase their ideas and vision for the future on the B. PHL stage. I speak to Michelle Histand, Director of Innovation at Independence Blue Cross. https://www.bphlfest.com/ No matter what your age it’s likely that Alzheime...

The tax deadline has been extended but it’s coming soon. The African Cultural Alliance of North America, Inc. (ACANA), in collaboration with the African Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (ACBC), is providing free income tax preparation services to residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties until May 17. I speak to Mamapalo Mokeyane, ACBC project manager: F...

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati joins us for her monthly feature VLS Journeys. She speaks to Seth Pearsoll, Director of Design, Shows and Events for the PA Horticultural Society about wonderful gardens, outdoor events and pop-up restaurants sponsored by the PHS. https://phsonline.org/ Vanesse also interviews Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre. Vanesse and I talk about...

This week the verdict came down in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with killing George Floyd in an incident that sparked an uprising for racial justice and police reform. Chauvin was found guilty on all counts ahead and there are three additional officers charged with complicity in Floyd’s death. I speak with Keir Bradford Grey, formerly Philadelphia Chief Defender fo...

Many of us breathed a collective sigh of relief when the verdict came down in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officers charged with killing George Floyd in an incident that sparked an uprising for racial justice and police reform. Chauvin was found guilty on all counts. Sentencing will happen in the weeks ahead and there are three additional officers charged with complicity in Floyd’...

I speak with Movita Johnson Harrell, founder of the anti-violence Charles Foundation about a bi coastal increase the peace event that takes place on Friday. https://www.thecharlesfoundation.com/ First let’s talk about hunger in Philadelphia with Steve Preston –Chief Program Officer, Share Food Program, Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Share board member Gregory J. Allen, PhD – Founder...

I bet you know someone directly or indirectly who is waiting for a kidney transplant, has received one or died waiting. Organ Donation is personal. I’ve lost people who were on the waiting list but didn’t get a match in time. April is National Donate Life Month which helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift o...

I bet you know someone directly or indirectly who is waiting for a kidney transplant, has received one or died waiting. Organ Donation is personal. I’ve lost people who were on the waiting list but didn’t get a match in time. April is National Donate Life Month which helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift o...

I bet you know someone directly or indirectly who is waiting for a kidney transplant, has received one or died waiting. Organ Donation is personal. I’ve lost people who were on the waiting list but didn’t get a match in time. April is National Donate Life Month which helps to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and to honor those that have saved lives through the gift o...

I’ll be talking about National Donate Life Month and OIC’s programs preparing workers for the jobs opening up after the pandemic. In this first half we’ll talk with Dana Dornsife, CEO of Lazarex Cancer Foundation about their Community IMPACT program in West Philadelphia which is helping underserved patients get the help they need by breaking through historic trust, economic, and communication barr...

WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence is on mission to end sexual violence in Philadelphia. I speak to Executive Director Dr. Monique Howard about the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the resources the organization offers to survivors. https://www.woar.org/ WOAR 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 215-985-3333 There’s a terrific discussion series on race sponsored by the Barnes Fou...

WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence is on mission to end sexual violence in Philadelphia. I speak to Executive Director Dr. Monique Howard about the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the resources the organization offers to survivors. https://www.woar.org/ WOAR 24 HOUR HOTLINE: 215-985-3333 There’s a terrific discussion series on race sponsored by the Barnes Fou...

Over a hundred inmates in PA Prisons have died from COVID 19. I speak to Bobby Harris, of Unincarcerated Minds about the crisis in the prison system. bobby@dignityandpowernow.org https://www.instagram.com/unincarceratedminds/?hl=en For folks looking to Buy Black - there's a shopping bazaar sponsored by Sistahs in Transformation on Saturday April 17th from 11 am to 3 pm. I spoke to co-founder Terri...

When you think about heart attacks you probably picture a guy grabbing his arm and clutching his chest. Those are typical symptoms for men – but women experiencing heart attacks and heart disease very differently. I speak to a Marybeth Nayard who shares her personal experience and what women need to know about heart disease. https://www.goredforwomen.org/ . Also, the 2021 Philadelphia Go Red for W...