Philadelphia Community Podcast

I speak with City Councilmember Derrek Green, about the recent passage of his legislationto establish the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority, which would hold the nation’s first municipally owned financial institution. We talked about what this will mean for for Black and Brown businesses and other underrepresented organizations that struggle with gaining access to capital. https://phlcouncil...

The McDonald’s jingle, the Law and Order theme: these are just a few of the sounds that allow us to immediately recognize a brand. I talk with Dave Allan, the author of Super Sonic Logos: The Power of Audio Branding who tells us the history of some of the most famous “sonic logos” from the people who created them. https://tinyurl.com/Super-Sonic-Logos You won’t want to miss my interview with Larry...

You won’t want to miss my interview with Larry Miller and his daughter Laila Lacy. They are coauthors of "Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom" It’s a compelling story of the highly successful chairman of Nike’s Jordan Brand who for decades hid the fact he served time as a teenager for the murder of an 18-year-old. It’s a powerful story of redemption and forgiveness. https://l...

Managing your energy bill can be a challenge – especially during this pandemic. 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

There are many books about relationships, but I was impressed by Dr. Diana Kirschner’s book “Sealing the Deal: the Love Mentors Guide to Lasting Love.” For those looking for love I think you’ll find her helpful – plus she’s a hoot. https://lovein90days.com/diana-kirschner/ There’s a growing number of people who’ve decided not to have kids. I speak to John Seager President of the Population Connect...

Phil Brooks, Director, STEM Workforce Partnerships University City Science Center talks about their Workforce Development program which connects Philadelphians to jobs at science and tech companies in University City and beyond. https://sciencecenter.org/programs/workforce-development Kena Sears-Brown, Director of Continuing Professional Education & Workforce Initiatives at Drexel University Goodw...

From the Archives: Author Mary-Frances Winters writes that Black people, young and old, are physically, mentally, and emotionally drained because of systemic racism. We discuss her book Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit - the first book to define and explore Black fatigue, the intergenerational impact of systemic racism on the physical and psychological health of Black pe...

When you go grocery shopping you know what things costs - because the labels are right there. But what about medical expenses? We rarely know what we're paying for. Author Phillip Moeller has written a book "Get What's Yours for Health Care: How to Get the Best Care at the Right Price" to help the average consumer navigate the complicated world of medical expenses. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Whats...

The Network of Neighbors Trauma Response Network is composed of community members trained to support — and lead — responses to stress, trauma, loss, and violence within their own communities. I speak with Yolanda Hughes, Director of Network of Neighbors about how the organization utilizes trusted leaders within a community to facilitate a neighborhood's unique trauma response. 267-233-4837 https:/...

What better way to support Black Girls than to speak with them directly and ask what they need? The Black Girls Research report did exactly that. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women has partnered with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc Zeta Omega Chapter which is marking its 100th year anniversary. They have compiled the lived experiences of Black girls across the state of Delaware and how they...

Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar business. Did you know some major companies are complicit? We talk to award-winning lawyer and author Mike Papantonio about this shocking fact. As society strives to rebound and adjust to a new normal, how do we seek opportunities that are more meaningful and satisfying? I speak with life coach, pastor and motivational speaker Joy Morgan. https://www.joym...

Have you ever thought about going vegan? It’s so much more than just cutting meat out of your diet. I speak with Orisha Oshun co-founder of the Surviving Vegan Academy. www.iamsurvivingvegan.com Todd Inman is the founder of Award-Winning Film and TV Production company TinmanCreative Productions. We talk about a workshop program for youth ages 7-17 called “Act Successful” which uses the art of film...

Guest Host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati talks with Heseung Song, CEO of Mighty Engine about a unique partnership with SEPTA that encourages that encourages adults to create mini stories with the kids for publication through a SEPTA short story dispenser this spring. https://www.readingpromise.org/your-story Vanesse also chats with social media coordinator LaToi Storr who has a mental Wellness and Self C...

Managing your energy bill can be a challenge – especially during this pandemic. 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 The 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair takes place February 26th from 1-4 pm at the Pen...

Managing your energy bill can be a challenge – especially during this pandemic. 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 The 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair takes place February 26th from 1-4 pm at the Pen...

We are all familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. I would guess few know that an incident in New Jersey when King was just 21 years old would be a defining moment that set the future leader on his path. I speak to Pastor Amir Khan, who is spearheading an effort to mark a home where King stayed during that pivotal time as an historic landmark. https://ml...

Lets face it. – Whether you’re a senior who needs assistance or a person recovering from illness or injury – home is often where we wish to be. That’s where home healthcare services come into play. Alexis Ortiz from Hands from the Heart Home Healthcare Services a minority owned female run organization tells us what we need to know about short and longterm home health care. Website and social media...

Let’s face it. – Whether you’re a senior who needs assistance or a person recovering from illness or injury – home is often where we wish to be. That’s where home healthcare services come into play. Alexis Ortiz from Hands from the Heart Home Healthcare Services, a minority owned female run organization, tells us what we need to know about short and long term home health care. https://www.handsfro...

No doubt you've heard about "Catfishing" - when someone sets up a fake online profile to trick people who are looking for love, usually to get money out of them. For those looking in from the outside – you figure – how can anyone be so dumb as to fall for these romance scams. I know at least two – very smart professional women who were victimized. What are the signs you’re being catfished. I speak...

“Serendipity is the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.” At least that’s the dictionary definition. It also perfectly describes the story of author Lu Ann Cahn, and Emma Borgstrom. LuAnn wrote a book that Emma says literally saved her life. By happy circumstance - they happened to meet. This interview tells us what happened next. https://luanncahn.com/ http...

The African American Children’s Book Fair Celebrates 30 years of bringing Childrens and Young Adult Literature’s most celebrated authors and illustrators to Philadelphia. The event takes place February 26th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. I speak Paralee Knight, Vice President of Social Impact for Wells Fargo, a major sponsor, about the critical importance of representation in children’s li...

Guest Host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks with authors who’ll be featured at the 30th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair February 26th at the PA Convention Center. Schele Williams is an acclaimed theatrical director and author of the book “Your Legacy, A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History.” Kaija Langley is the award-winning author of “When Langston Dances.” For her monthly feature “...

I'll be talking about heart health with American Heart Association volunteer Scott Allen, who is defying his genetic risk for heart attack with diet and exercise. https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/pennsylvania/philadelphia https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/ Heading up the School District of Philadelphia may be one of the hardest jobs in the city. Now that Dr. William Hite is leaving his position...

Heading: up the School District of Philadelphia may be one of the hardest jobs in the city. Now that Dr. William Hite is leaving his position as Superintendent – Philadelphia has the opportunity to find new leadership. We’ll talk with Leticia Egea Hinton, Vice President of the School District of Philadelphia Board of Education –about the progress on finding a new superintendent and how we as citiz...

Hope you’re staying warm and cozy through this wintery weather. You know February is heart month and in honor of it I’ve stepped up my exercise habits. I’d been working out twice a week – some cardio and weights but I’m still working off that holiday weight gain, so I’ve decided to get in exercise every day of the week. So far, I’ve driven up to Kelly drive, parked and got my 10 thousand steps bef...