Philadelphia Community Podcast

The stress of racism whether it’s the daily microaggressions or worse has a tremendous impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Zee Clarke, a Harvard MBA, breathwork expert, is author of Black People Breathe which shows us how to tap into the healing benefits of breathing and mindfulness. https://www.zeeclarke.com/ First, I speak with Kaliek Hayes, YOACAP's Violence Reduction Case Manager and...

Many rare diseases go undiagnosed for years but there's a growing community working to raise awareness about rare diseases by providing information and support. I speak to Rare Disease Patient Advocate Romy Braunstein about her personal journey just in time for Rare Disease Day on February 28th. www.raredisease.org.

Want a unique and romantic Valentine's Day Gift? How about the Singing Valentine's Program by the Barbershop Harmony Society, in which a singing foursome surprise unsuspecting sweethearts at home, work or wherever with a couple of love songs, candy a rose and a personalize card for Valentine’s Day. For a preview I spoke to members of Rittenhouse Sound and the Pine Barons Chorus who are members of...

34% of children entering kindergarten lack the basic skills needed to learn how to read. Guess what - it's never too early to help our little ones get a head start in reading. I talk to Literacy Activist and Educator Kimberly Garrison, host of “Story Time with Mama Kimberly about ways to jump start pre-school kiddies reading skills. https://www.facebook.com/StoryTimewithMamaKimberly I met my husba...

Reducing violence in the city can seem like an impossible job but there are people doing great work. I'll be telling you about a program called YEAH Philly co-founded by Executive Director Kendra Van de Water. This is a Black-Led, Community-Based Nonprofit that works with teens and young adults in West and Southwest Philadelphia ages 15 to 24 who have been impacted by violence. https://yeahphilly....

I devote the program to The African American Children’s Book Fair which takes place Saturday February 11th from 1-4 pm at the PA Convention Center. I speak to Paralee Knight, Vice President of Community Relations at Wells Fargo, major sponsor about why they are on board for this event which supports diversity and representation in children’s literature. I chat with founder of the event Vanesse Llo...

I devote the program to The African American Children’s Book Fair which takes place Saturday February 11th from 1-4 pm at the PA Convention Center. I speak to Paralee Knight, Vice President of Community Relations at Wells Fargo, major sponsor about why they are on board for this event which supports diversity and representation in children’s literature. I chat with founder of the event Vanesse Llo...

In this first segment I’m joined by Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati – founder of the African American Children’s Book Fair for her once-a-month segment VLS Journeys. Vanesse speaks to three of the authors featured at the event. Kelly Starling Lyon is an award-winning author, whose book "Sing a Song" celebrates the Black National Anthem. Ibi Zoboi is a Bestselling and award-winning author of books including...

It’s still cold and flu season. I speak to Tyra Bryant-Stephens, MD, Chief Health Equity Officer of the Center for Health Equity at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia tells how to keep our kids healthy and when to call a pediatrician and when to get to an emergency room for upper respiratory symptoms. https://www.chop.edu/sickseason Facebook - @childrenshospitalofphiladelphia – Twitter @Childrens...

You know among the things I hate are getting my hair wet and being cold. We'll I had to overcome my phobias for a very good cause when I volunteered to jump into an icy pool of water in the dead of winter. But I did it gladly because it was Special Olympics PA's annual Polar Plunge. Money raised got to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports...

It’s the dreaded tax season. I talk to Jarde' Allen CEO, In The Moment Financial Services who tells us about the biggest taxes changes this year and offers practical advice for taxpayers. www. InTheMoment101.com • IG: @ITMFinancialServices • Facebook: facebook.com/InTheMomentFinancialServices • Phone: 610-222-6150

Especially during the pandemic we've become fanatical about being germ free - but going overboard with living a disinfected life can have a negative impact on our children. I speak to Menal Lele, author of The Baby and the Biome, who explains how diet, environmental toxins, antibiotics, and even common parenting practices can damage the delicate balance of our children’s microbiomes, thereby incre...

The stress of racism whether it’s the daily microaggressions or worse has a tremendous impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. Zee Clarke, a Harvard MBA, breathwork expert, is author of Black People Breathe which shows us how to tap into the healing benefits of breathing and mindfulness. https://www.zeeclarke.com/ Do you have an innovative idea that can address health equity and safety challe...

Finding quality early childhood education is a challenge. Three remarkable Black and Brown women created the Exceptional Bi-Lingual Leadership Program to quality professional development in the field. To tell us more about the program and the next cohort – I speak to co-founder, Aliya Johnson-Roberts. https://latinoseducandojuntos.org/eblf/ or e-mail omaxinstitute@gmail.com Especially during the p...

Starting this Sunday and the third Sunday of every month- we're bringing back Angela Giampolo, LGBTQ activist and founder of Philly Gay Lawyer to talk about issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community and the rest of us. In this segment we’ll discuss the impact of the network show “Will and Grace” on marriage equality. https://www.phillygaylawyer.com/ First up – an interview with Sharmain Matlock-Turn...

Over the course of the next months we will be bringing you interviews with the candidates running for Mayor of the City of Philadelphia that will hopefully give you insight into the potential top leader in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. I speak to Maria Quiñones Sánchez — who represented North Philly’s 7th District on Philadelphia City Council. If elected she would be the first...

On Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) will host its seventh annual National Day of Racial Healing , an annual observance established by the Kellogg Foundation that occurs on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity for all Americans to consider having an important, but sometimes uncomfortable racial healing conve...

What's your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? I'm hardly alone in saying Thin Mints are my fave and they're only available between January 19th and March 12th during Girl Scout Cookie Season. We'll tell you how to get your hands on your favorite cookies and at the same time support one of the very best girl leadership programs. Girl Scouts of Eastern PA CEO Kim Fraites Dow gives us the scoop. https://ww...

What's your favorite Girl Scout Cookie? I'm hardly alone in saying Thin Mints are my fave and they're only available between January 19th and March 12th during Girl Scout Cookie Season. We'll tell you how to get your hands on your favorite cookies and at the same time support one of the very best girl leadership programs. Girl Scouts of Eastern PA CEO Kim Fraites Dow gives us the scoop. https://ww...

Between the enduring impact of the pandemic and rising inflation, paying for utilities can be a challenge. 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

Becaue it's the holiday - today I re-air an interivew I did about the movie Black Panther, Wakanda Forever. When I did the interview - I had read everything about it but hadn't seen it quite yet. I have seen it since and I was moved and entertained and excited for the next chapter in the story of Black Panther. Globally, “Wakanda Forever” grossed over $787 million worldwide, becoming the fifth-hig...

This morning we talk with members of a coalition called Care Not Control which is working to transform the criminal legal system to end youth incarceration in PA. The coalition recently released Care, Not Control: The Album, which showcases the talents, hopes, and dreams of young people directly impacted by the criminal legal system. I speak to Bre Stoves, youth organizer with Care, Not Control an...

I want to share my thoughts about Kerri Connor Matchett whose homegoing took place this week. Co-founder of Praise is the Cure with her mom Anita T Connor, Kerri was a powerful advocate for raising awareness about early breast cancer awareness for Black women through faith-based institutions. In her too short 48 years - Kerri made a measurable difference, no doubt saving many lives. She was a moth...

I discovered Second Story Collective through Philadelphia 250’s Legacy campaign which aims to support nonprofits creating tangible positive community impact by 2026. This innovative program is creating sharing network with an anchor hub for public programming centered around the arts and creativity. Students and neighbors live together in intentional communities rooted in storytelling and sharing....