Philadelphia Community Podcast

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of an issue that impacts 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and nearly half of the LGBTQ+ community. I speak with Katie Young Wildes, Senior Communications Specialist at Women Against Abuse, about available resources and the upcoming iPledge Campaign event. Join us on Tuesday, October 1st, at Noon in the Philadelphia City Hall Courtyar...

This week’s Presidential Debate brought the issue of Women’s Reproductive Rights to the forefront. To help us understand the current and future state of reproductive rights, I speak with Shannon Criniti, Acting Co-President & CEO and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at AccessMatters, a Philadelphia-based organization dedicated to expanding access to sexual and reproductive health servic...

One of the pleasures of my career has been mentoring young people, and I was thrilled to reconnect with one of my former mentees, Chántelle Adanna. Chántelle has blossomed into a literary artist, author, spoken word poet, screenwriter, and self-love/wellness advocate. In this episode, we explore her journey and the impactful work she’s doing to uplift and support other Black women writers. Visit h...

In today’s housing market, many aspiring homeowners face significant challenges when trying to buy their first home. I speak with David S. Thomas, CEO of PHDC, Philadelphia’s full-service community development organization, about the upcoming PHDC Housing Fair 2024. This event offers crucial resources for first-time homebuyers, as well as support for longtime residents needing assistance with home...

Mark your calendars for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia on November 7th! Get ready for empowering workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking opportunities with over 10,000 attendees. In partnership with the PA Conference for Women, we present Women Who Inspire. Today’s spotlight is on Susan Larkin, Executive Vice President and President of Core Commercial Markets at Indepe...

In our special quarterly feature "Welcoming Works," host Anuj Gupta, CEO of the Welcoming Center, speaks with Pat Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works, to challenge the often negative narratives about immigrants. They explore the crucial role immigrants play in shaping Philadelphia’s economic future. Learn more at: Welcoming Center | Philadelphia Works

In our special quarterly feature "Welcoming Works," host Anuj Gupta, CEO of the Welcoming Center, speaks with Pat Clancy, President and CEO of Philadelphia Works, to challenge the often negative narratives about immigrants. They explore the crucial role immigrants play in shaping Philadelphia’s economic future. Learn more at: Welcoming Center | Philadelphia Works I’m also joined by Angela Giampolo...

I speak with Keisha Jordan, CEO and Executive Director of the Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP). CSFP is a privately funded program that provides financial access to safe, quality K-8th grade, tuition-based schools for children from under-resourced Philadelphia families, helping to increase their long-term economic and social success. The CSFP scholarship lottery application opens on...

The show kicks off with an interview by Summer WorkReady student Lucas Gonzalez, speaking with Luz Aponte, Manager of Membership for Soroptimist International. This global volunteer organization is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment, and gender equality programs. Learn more at  Soroptimist International . Next, we tackle the critical issue of melanom...

In this edition, we’ll dive into Dine Latino Week, sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate Latino restaurants from September 15-21. I chat with Jennifer Rodriguez, President and CEO of the GPHCC, about how this event highlights some of the top Latinx eateries in the area. Learn more about Dine Latino Week .   We also explore the exciting world of “The Realt...

In this edition, we’ll dive into Dine Latino Week, sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, to celebrate Latino restaurants from September 15-21. I chat with Jennifer Rodriguez, President and CEO of the GPHCC, about how this event highlights some of the top Latinx eateries in the area. Learn more about Dine Latino Week .   We also explore the exciting world of “The Realt...

In this segment, we address the critical issue of healthcare access for the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who are uninsured. I speak with Kristen Houser Rapp, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Charitable Healthcare Coalition, about the vital role free clinics play in providing healthcare to those in need. We discuss why these clinics are essential and how you can find one near you....

PA Conference for Women: Get ready for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia on November 7th! Learn about empowering workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking with over 10,000 women. Website: www. PAConferenceforWomen.org Social Media: @pennwomen (Instagram, formerly Twitter), Pennsylvania Conference for Women (Facebook) Women Who Inspire: Meet Dean Wen Mao from the Villanova S...

PA Conference for Women: Get ready for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia on November 7th! Learn about empowering workshops, inspiring speakers, and networking with over 10,000 women. Website: www. PAConferenceforWomen.org Social Media: @pennwomen (Instagram, formerly Twitter), Pennsylvania Conference for Women (Facebook) Women Who Inspire: Meet Dean Wen Mao from the Villanova S...

Gun Violence Solutions: Join Loraine as she dives into "The Trace," a news site focusing on America's gun violence crisis. She talks with reporter Philadelphia Staff Reporter Mensah Dean about potential solutions for safer communities. o    Website: thetrace.org o    Mensah Dean: @mensahdean; @teamtrace (Twitter) o    Facebook: Mensah Dean; Facebook.com/teamtrace         Work Ready Inspiration: Me...

Guest Host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati gets up close and personal with Loraine Ballard Morrill about her recent trip to Spain.  Sharif El-Mekki, Founder and CEO for the Center for Black Educator Development talks about the upcoming #BMEC2024 Conference November 21-23 in Philadelphia.  El-Mekki was also the subject of Vanesse’s month feature “What is Philadelphia Reading?” https://thecenterblacked.org/p...

In these divisive times, it’s important to remember that there are remarkable individuals inspiring others to work for positive change. Champions of Caring was founded in 1995 to help middle and high school students create social change. The organization is currently producing a documentary, "The Coral Ring Legacy," to promote and inspire social activism for people of all ages and backgrounds. I s...

In 1988, 5-year-old Marcus Yates was caught in crossfire inside a corner store in Southwest Philadelphia. While the deaths of children to gun violence have become tragically commonplace, Marcus's death at that time galvanized the city and inspired me and many others to work to end gun violence. Over three decades later, the family took a courageous step toward healing by meeting with the men convi...

In 1988, 5-year-old Marcus Yates was caught in crossfire inside a corner store in Southwest Philadelphia. While the deaths of children to gun violence have become tragically commonplace, Marcus's death at that time galvanized the city and inspired me and many others to work to end gun violence. Over three decades later, the family took a courageous step toward healing by meeting with the men convi...

The Democratic National Convention is now in our rear view mirror with Vice President Kamala Harris accepting the DNC's historic nomination as candidate for President of the United States.  I spoke to  Philadelphia blogger, podcast host and influencer Andrea Lawful-Sanders about her impressions covering the Convention and the hopes and challenges facing Harris on the road to the November Election....

You probably know Vanguard best as an investment firm, which offers mutual funds, ETFs, financial advice, and retirement products. What you may not know as well is that Vanguard has very active community programming in our region, led by Aldustus “A.J.” Jordan. Throughout his career, A.J. has made significant contributions to exceptional nonprofits and responsible corporate entities that support c...

Join me as I chat with Nafees Norris, an inspiring scientist and the CEO and Founder of Nafees Innovations. Nafees shares his journey from being doubted by those around him to leading groundbreaking work with pharmaceutical companies. He is also passionate about increasing youth engagement in the sciences.  Website and Social Media: Website: nafeesino.com Instagram: @nafeesinnovations Quitting smo...

In this episode, I speak with Gregg Caren, President and CEO of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB). Gregg leads the bureau’s mission to position Philadelphia as a top destination for meetings, conventions, sporting events, and international tourism. He also collaborates closely with the Pennsylvania Convention Center, national industry associations, and the City of Philadelph...

You probably know Vanguard best as an investment firm, which offers mutual funds, ETFs, financial advice, and retirement products. What you may not know as well is that Vanguard has very active community programming in our region, led by Aldustus “A.J.” Jordan. Throughout his career, A.J. has made significant contributions to exceptional nonprofits and responsible corporate entities that support c...

The Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia will soon close the special exhibition Okaeri (Welcome Home): The Nisei Legacy at Shofuso. This exhibit highlights the story of the Nisei, or second-generation American-born individuals of Japanese descent, and explores their unique contributions to Shofuso, including their activism during the Civil Rights Movement. I spoke with Rob Buscher, Market...