Bridging Philly

Quakers are known as abolitionists, but early Quakers in Barbados were slaveholders. Because of that, the members of Green Street Friends Meeting in Germantown felt they have a debt to pay for the wealth inequity that has built up over generations. They’ve committed to giving $50,000 per year for ten years in the form of homeownership grants to Black families in the community. Racquel Williams tal...

More younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, but better treatments and early detection have helped increase survival rates. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Racquel Williams checks in on where we are in the fight to end breast cancer with Dr. Ana Maria Lopez, an oncologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center , and Lynne Alston, a breast cancer survivor, advocate with the Hugs for Hope Fo...

Books are a great way for people in prison to improve their literacy, expand their options for when they get out, or simply pass the time . But prison libraries are often limited, if they have libraries at all. Books Through Bars was started to address this problem by sending books to people who request them in prisons. Racquel Williams talks with three volunteers about the history of the organiza...

The goal of a comedian is to make you laugh, even when their own life isn’t so funny. How do they turn their hardships into jokes, and how does that feel for them? Racquel Williams talks with three local comedians - Monique Latise , Ms. Darkchild , and Shanell Renee - about the challenges they’ve faced in their careers, especially as Black female comedians, and why it’s worth taking a leap of fait...

Whether it’s someone masquerading as a familiar company to get you to click a malicious link or an offer to save on your mortgage that looks too good to be true, there are a million ways for bad actors to take your money, identity, and data. How can you protect yourself and your assets in the age of AI, with an economic crisis brewing? Racquel Williams talks with Rob D'Ovidio, a Drexel professor w...

A cancer diagnosis is the beginning of a scary, overwhelming journey that takes a toll on the patient as well as their loved ones. For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation gives cancer patients and their families time to breathe and heal together through travel and “staycation” respite experiences. Founder Marci Schankweiler joins Racquel Williams to talk about the power of respite and their new...

This week, we’re focusing on youth mental health with two creative ways for kids to express themselves and connect. First, PA State Rep. Gina Curry is hosting her fifth annual Inspi-HER'd Field Day , where girls in grades 4-8 can participate in outdoor games, workshops, and activities designed for mental, physical, and relational wellness. Racquel Wiliams talks with Rep. Curry, her Chief of Staff,...

Some people have a picture in their minds when they think of a Jewish person . But, as with most cultural groups, there’s a wide range of diversity within the Jewish community. Philadelphia Jewish Film and Media is showcasing that diversity in their “Unapologetically Jewish” social media contest. This year’s eight finalists include a rapper, a comedian, and even a burlesque dancer. Racquel William...

Hip-hop and classical music normally exist in two very different worlds, but one group from Philadelphia is shattering those genre boundaries. The Illharmonic Orchestra (www.theephantomhiphop.com) performs hip-hop/classical mashups, covers, and original songs, all with a full orchestra. They were the first hip-hop group to perform at the Kimmel Center and have brought a whole new audience to Carne...

The school year is getting underway, and here in Pennsylvania, the new state budget provides for a lot of improvements to schools: adequacy funding for underfunded districts, more student teacher stipends, support for mental health, guaranteed recess, and more. Racquel Williams talks with two education advocates - Laura Boyce with Teach Plus PA (www.teachplus.org/pa) and Priyanka Reyes-Kaura with...

As a kid, Steven Stotts loved to take things apart to learn how they worked. Now, he’s passing on that curiosity to Philly area kids as Stevie the Inventor (www.stevietheinventor.com), leading STEM experiences throughout the city. He recently launched Build a Bot classes, where students get to build and take home a robot. Steven sits down with Racquel Williams to talk about his journey and how he...

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic was one of the most elite bike races in the world - and it will be again when it returns after a 10-year hiatus on August 30. Cyclists and fans are excited to once again experience the competition, the celebration, and the tremendous show of athleticism on display around the city, especially at the famously steep “Manayunk Wall”. Racquel Williams talks with the tea...

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants to expire, ruling that the decision is not subject to judiciary review. This left thousands of Haitians in the Philadelphia area and over 300,000 nationally in limbo, with their employment documents terminated, being told to return to a country in crisis. The Trump administration has terminated tem...

The country is at war. The cost of living has spiked. Violent videos, disinformation, and AI fill our newsfeeds. There’s a lot to make us stressed and anxious these days. Racquel Williams takes a moment to check in on the nation’s mental health with Dr. Sosunmolu Shoyinka, co-founder of Centia Health (www.centiahealth.com), and Peter Andrew Danzig-Plasencia, psychotherapist and licensed social wor...

When people talk about teens on the street in the summer, they’re often talking about some kind of trouble. But Fab Youth Philly is flipping that stereotype by sending teens out to the streets…to play. Their Play Captain initiative hires and trains teenagers to lead games and activities on the city’s Playstreets, playgrounds, and other play spaces. The teens gain work experience, develop leadershi...

Kids will come across depictions of race, gender, and sexuality whether we talk to them about it or not. Brandee Blocker Anderson created The Antiracism Academy to help parents and educators teach kids about these topics in a supportive way that they can understand, using rhyming books and short videos. She recently released the “Teach Me Antiracism: Allyship” series, explaining words and concepts...

Being in nature can be both physically and mentally rejuvenating. Collie Turner, founder of Heroic Gardens, grew up around plants and chose horticulture as a way to give back to veterans. Racquel Williams talks with her and Salome Hall, a Navy veteran and founder of Sisters Affirming Sisterhood who has found community and healing through Heroic Gardens' programs. Then, Shara Dae Howard explores th...

It’s the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, and there’s no better place to celebrate than America’s birthplace, Philadelphia. This week, Shara Dae Howard is taking over for an all Shara in the City special edition, exploring some of the city’s hidden historical treasures. We start at Elfreth’s Alley, one of the country’s oldest continuously inhabited residential streets, with a peek at...

Books are a great way for people in prison to improve their literacy, expand their options for when they get out, or simply pass the time . But prison libraries are often limited, if they have libraries at all. Books Through Bars was started to address this problem by sending books to people who request them in prisons. Racquel Williams talks with three volunteers about the history of the organiza...

Black men often find it hard to be vulnerable - they’re taught to be tough and not to show their feelings. But they struggle just as much as the rest of us. When two Black female clinicians noticed a high demand from Black men seeking therapy and facing barriers to access, they started Black Men Heal to offer free individual and group therapy programs for Black men. Racquel Williams talks with one...

Throughout history, barriers have been put up between African Americans and water. Segregated swimming pools, violence and discrimination against Black folks who try to swim in public pools - all of this was documented in the “POOL” exhibit that was on display at Fairmount Water Works from 2022-2023 and has now been transformed into a mobile exhibit. Racquel Williams sits down with a few of the fo...

GLP-1s like Ozempic and Wegovy are all over the news and TV ads lately. Are they really a safe way to lose weight? Racquel Williams talks with medical professionals from Penn Medicine’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders about the benefits and risks of GLP-1s, plus how social media impacts body image and how mental health is connected to food. Then, Philly Pride is bigger than ever this year!...

A cancer diagnosis is the beginning of a scary, overwhelming journey that takes a toll on the patient as well as their loved ones. For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation gives cancer patients and their families time to breathe and heal together through travel and “staycation” respite experiences. Founder Marci Schankweiler joins Racquel Williams to talk about the power of respite and their new...

As we look back on 250 years of American history, you might be inspired to look into your own history. Monica O. Montgomery believes it’s important to preserve your family’s legacy, as she did after her parents passed away. Out of her grief and healing journey grew the DiasporaDNA Story Center, an “un-museum” and cultural center offering workshops, talks, bus tours, and more experiences centered a...

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, yet funding to support patients can be hard to come by because of the stigma attached to it. While smoking is associated with lung cancer, many people who have never smoked are diagnosed with the disease. Racquel Williams talks with Ride Hard Breathe Easy, an organization that raises funds and awareness for lung cancer patients through community b...