Philadelphia Community Podcast

After successfully expanding access to the COVID-19 vaccine for the older, more vulnerable residents in underserved communities, Keystone First -- the largest Medicaid health plan in southeastern PA -- is shifting its focus to helping teens and young adults gain access to the vaccine. I speak to Keystone First Market President Joanne McFall and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lily Higgins about why some...

Despite traumas of the pandemic, violence and poverty, most Black men won’t admit they need #mentalhealth support. Join DJCosmicKev, Loraine Ballard Morrill and the Black Barbers as they address how to erase the stigma that prevents men from getting help. With special guests Dr. H. Jean Wright II, PsyD, Director, Behavioral Health and Justice Division Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health a...

If we know one thing it is this, children belong with families. National Reunification Month is celebrated in June of each year to recognize the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. It is also a time to celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to providing a safe and loving home for their children and are able to reunify after their child was placed in...

If we know one thing it is this, children belong with families. National Reunification Month is celebrated in June of each year to recognize the people and efforts around the country that help families stay together. It is also a time to celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to providing a safe and loving home for their children and are able to reunify after their child was placed in...

Schools cover math and reading literacy but what about financial literacy? The Business Center is holding Youth and Money Camp June, July and August. I speak with Pamela Rich Wheeler Executive Director the Business Center and Victoria Tyson of Victoria’s Kitchen who has sent her grandchildren to the camp. For more info go to www.thebizctr.com/youth or call 215-247-2473 To mark Juneteenth in Ardmor...

Philadelphia is experiencing a housing construction boom which is transforming neighborhoods. The downside is that shoddy construction practices for some developments have jeopardized nearby homes with longtime homeowners facing damage to their properties. I speak to Venise Whitaker, Neighbor activist and Founder of The Riverwards L+I Coalition FB Page which serves as watchdogs in the River Wards...

Building wealth in the black community has been a challenge because of systemic racism. A group called the Collective is working to generating wealth within the Black community and for neighborhoods victimized by systemic racism. I speak with Sandra Dungee Glenn Founder/CEO, The Collective, a group of Black real estate developers, investment professionals and policy experts advancing social impact...

Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati hosts her once a month segment – VLS Journeys with an interview with actress and songwriter Dawnn Lewis who will be honored June 25, 2021 by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington’s inaugural Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. https://tinyurl.com/ruyahpcu Lewis also talks about her nonprofit - A New Day Foundation which is sponsoring scholarships for 3 up and coming...

The COVID pandemic has weighed heavily on the mental wellbeing of so many of us. Add to that the health disparities that exists for black and brown people and the additional trauma and stress that come with facing systemic racism. This morning we highlight Independence Blue Cross’ Know Your Mind. a new mental health public awareness campaign which aims to educate the community about symptoms of de...

Promising new research may soon help treat, and one day cure, the chronic disease. But what’s the worth of a cure if there’s a lack of access. Health disparities is the theme of this year’s Philadelphia FIGHT has hosted the HIV Prevention and Education Summit. I speak with Kyle Chvasta, Public Programs Manager Philadelphia FIGHT. https://fight.org/ Recovery Idol was founded in 2011 to showcase the...

One year ago, May 25, 2020 – George Floyd’s murder galvanized the nation and sparked massive protests about racial injustice not seen since the Civil Rights movement of the Sixties. We’re re-airing an interview with Michael Eric Dyson, whose book Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America is as relevant now as it was when first broadcast last year. https://g.co/kgs/zggdLh

The COVID pandemic has weighed heavily on the mental wellbeing of so many of us. Add to that the health disparities that exists for black and brown people and the additional trauma and stress that come with facing systemic racism. We highlight Independence Blue Cross’ Know Your Mind" - a new mental health public awareness campaign which aims to educate the community about symptoms of depression an...

A miscarriage can take a terrible emotional toll on a mother – but what about the dad? I speak to author Ted Yang who shares his experience coping with miscarriage in the book Table for Five: A Father’s Story of Life, Love, and Loss. https://www.amazon.com/Ted-Yang/e/B08LSX6TTV%3Fref =dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share No question the pandemic has been tough on everyone – but for many it’s also been an oppo...

The COVID pandemic has weighed heavily on the mental wellbeing of so many of us. Add to that the health disparities that exists for black and brown people and the additional trauma and stress that come with facing systemic racism. This morning we highlight Independence Blue Cross’ Know Your Mind - a new mental health public awareness campaign which aims to educate the community about symptoms of d...

With series like Barry Jenkins’The Underground Railroad - we are seeing vivid and devastating story telling around the atrocity of slavery in America. As painful as it can be to visit this subject – it’s also important to understand the impact of this country’s history of enslaving Africans and the institutional racism imbedded in our institutions as a result. I speak to Gwen Ragsdale, Executive D...

For years – driving on my way to the airport I’d have to roll up my window as I passed by the Philadelphia energy solutions refinery because of the smell. The refinery is shut down – but hazardous benzene fumes still threatened the nearby neighborhood. We’ll talk about the dangers of benzene and why we should be paying attention with Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrit...

Are you a BIPOC owned business? Comcast RISE has been giving out 10-thousand-dollar grants, support services and resources to help these businesses thrive. The program has already awarded nearly 100 businesses in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey grants along with technology and marketing resources. I speak to recipient Dewain Johnson from 215Media, a Philadelphia based creative agency, about th...

Have you seen HBO’s Watchmen or Lovecraft Country? These were two extraordinary science fiction and fantasy series that brought to popular culture a little known and horrendous chapter in our history - the Tulsa race massacre. In 2021 we mark the 100th anniversary of this unspeakable crime. I speak to author Carole Boston Weatherford who along with award-winning illustrator Floyd Cooper have creat...

Independence Blue Cross is honoring nurses with their Celebrate Caring Campaign. I speak with Koleen Cavanaugh, VP Marketing for IBX who tells us about the program that honors the passion and dedication of these frontline workers. I also speak to the three winners: Michelle Jackson-Ware from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia , Cookie Sanchez from BAYADA Home Health Care and Steve Footit with the...

Independence Blue Cross is honoring nurses with their Celebrate Caring Campaign. I speak with Koleen Cavanaugh, VP Marketing for IBX who tells us about the program that honors the passion and dedication of these frontline workers. I also speak to the three winners: Michelle Jackson-Ware from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Cookie Sanchez from BAYADA Home Health Care and Steve Footit with the...

One of the casualties of the Philadelphia's budget cuts due to COVID was the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The arts community and elected officials were able to work to put back some of the money, but it was less than half previously budgeted. I speak to Barbara Silzle, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund about the impact of these cuts and the critical nature of the arts in the life...

The BPHL Innovation Fest Content Architect, Film Fest, and College Innovation Classic submissions are now open for creative thinkers and doers across all industries who want to showcase their ideas and vision for the future on the B. PHL stage. I speak to Michelle Histand, Director of Innovation at Independence Blue Cross. https://www.bphlfest.com/ No matter what your age it’s likely that Alzheime...

The tax deadline has been extended but it’s coming soon. The African Cultural Alliance of North America, Inc. (ACANA), in collaboration with the African Caribbean Business Council of Greater Philadelphia (ACBC), is providing free income tax preparation services to residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties until May 17. I speak to Mamapalo Mokeyane, ACBC project manager: F...

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati joins us for her monthly feature VLS Journeys. She speaks to Seth Pearsoll, Director of Design, Shows and Events for the PA Horticultural Society about wonderful gardens, outdoor events and pop-up restaurants sponsored by the PHS. https://phsonline.org/ Vanesse also interviews Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre. Vanesse and I talk about...

This week the verdict came down in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with killing George Floyd in an incident that sparked an uprising for racial justice and police reform. Chauvin was found guilty on all counts ahead and there are three additional officers charged with complicity in Floyd’s death. I speak with Keir Bradford Grey, formerly Philadelphia Chief Defender fo...