Philadelphia Community Podcast

If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together. I learned that great saying from a wonderful organization called Pamoza which is working to provide educational opportunities for girls and young women in Malawi. I speak to Temwa Wright, Executive Director of Pamoza International and volunteer Mackenzie Duffy, sophomore at Villa Maria Academy High School who is helping to organiz...

We continue our interviews with Philadelphia Mayoral Candidates. This week I speak to Democratic candidate Jeff Brown. https://www.jeffbrownformayor.com/ First, I speak with Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever Senior Policy Advisor for the Black Women’s Roundtable and co-editor of the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) 10th Annual “Black Women in the U.S. and Key States, 2023 Report.” Released by the National Coa...

The African American Museum of Bucks County honors the rich legacy of the African American experience, inspiring pride in our heritage, and sharing information and stories about the diverse journey of our people and our shared ancestry. The programs and exhibits explore the history and heritage of the diverse cultures of Bucks County and beyond. I speak to Linda Salley President and Executive Dire...

The Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia, which manages projects ranging from bike share to immigration relief to the Philadelphia Unity Cup, is re-inventing itself as the Philadelphia City Fund. Jody Greenblatt, Executive Director, The Philadelphia City Fund explains how the organization is both a fiscal sponsor for the City and a grant maker. I also speak to Amy Eusebio, Director, Office of Immigrant A...

The Mayor’s Fund for Philadelphia, which manages projects ranging from bike share to immigration relief to the Philadelphia Unity Cup, is re-inventing itself as the Philadelphia City Fund. Jody Greenblatt, Executive Director, The Philadelphia City Fund explains how the organization is both a fiscal sponsor for the City and a grant maker. I also speak to Amy Eusebio, Director, Office of Immigrant A...

Prominent LGBTQ+ activist and Action Wellness Executive Director Kevin Burns will be retiring later this year, and on March 25, he will receive the Fierce and Fabulous Award at AIDS Fund’s Black-Tie GayBINGO. I speak to Kevin and Robb Reichard, Executive Director of AIDS Fund Philly about the event. www.aidsfundphilly.org/gaybingo https://www.actionwellness.org/ First I talk with Dr. Jim Smith, Pr...

The 2023 Philadelphia Flower Show, now through the 12th returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. I speak to Rebecca Schuchart, Director of Experiences and Engagement for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society about the iconic event and also the year-round community greening and work force development programs sponsored by PHS. Tickets are on sale currently at tickets.phsonline.org. The death...

The two Black Panther movies were more than Marvel superhero movies. - they were iconic celebrations of Black Pride and Black Excellence. In addition to everything that made the movie special from the extraordinary actors, the moving plot and the cool special effects - was the music. and coming up is a very special opportunity to hear the music of Black Panther at the Kimmel Center while also supp...

This week guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks to two florists featured in this year's Philadelphia Flower Show. Valerie Crisostomo is a founder of the Black Girl Florist Network and Rashawn Scarbo, owner and lead designer at Bloom Bold Co. WDAS FM's Patty Jackson is this month's "What is Philadelphia Reading?" https://www.blackgirlflorists.com/ https://www.bloomboldco.com/

Ever wonder about the alphabet soup that is LGTBQ+? and why advocated believe it's important to acknowledge All the letters in the acronym. To help us sort this out I speak to Angele Giampolo, of Giampolo Law and Philly Gay Lawyer for a monthly segment we call Speak Out. https://www.phillygaylawyer.com/ https://giampololaw.com/ First, many rare diseases go undiagnosed for years but there's a growi...

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...