Thriving

The Germantown native is expanding from a CSA to CornerJawn produce stores, but funding is an ongoing challenge. Subscribe and tune in to final episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story.

The 63-year-old childcare provider spent years training for a new certification that would help her earn more doing what she loves. Subscribe here to stay up to date on this series.

The Old City entrepreneur and croissant whiz is recovering from pandemic setbacks while seeking to balance work and life. Subscribe here to stay up to date on this series.

The West Philadelphia resident is navigating student loans while chasing one big goal: to encourage more Black students to enter agriculture careers. Tune in to the seventh episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The Northeast Philadelphia resident is a young Black man pursuing his show business dream — and he’s found some surprising supporters along the way. Tune in to the sixth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story.  Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The West Oak Lane resident wants to get back to work, and has sought support from a number of government agencies — with varying success. Tune in to the fifth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The Mt. Airy mom is balancing motherhood and work after a difficult job search. Tune in to the fourth episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The North Philadelphia entrepreneur hopes to open a second cafe location, as well as launch a coffee brand. Tune in to the third episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The young Philadelphia collage artist dreams of having a gallery to display and sell her art. For now, she's piecing together a living through a variety of different gigs. Tune in to the second episode of the audio documentary "Thriving" to hear her story. Subscribe ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

The now-Philadelphia resident has a dream for himself and his family. After leaving a middle-class job in Afghanistan, Danish is searching for something more here. Tune in to the first episode of the audio documentary “Thriving” to hear his story. Subscribe ⁠here⁠ to stay up to date on this series.

Listen to the journeys of 10 Philadelphians on their paths to success. Join us for "Thriving," a year-long storytelling project in which we follow 10 Philadelphians who are trying not just to survive, but to thrive. Through their stories, we aim to center and collect the lived experiences of Philadelphia and comparative city residents to gain insights on the economic opportunities and ob...

Meet Erica Irving, a Philadelphia mom searching for a job that will pay a livable wage. After living on unemployment, she wants to ensure that she can provide for her neurodivergent daughter. Hear more from Erica when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

Meet Gisselle Poveda, a North Philadelphia-based small business owner who rents commercial space. Nearly two decades after learning a hard lesson about renting in the city, Gisselle now wants to own the building that houses her storefront. Hear more from Gisselle when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://tec...

Meet LyVette Byrd, a Philly resident who has sought support from a number of government agencies, with varying success. Hear more from LyVette when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

Meet Jaquan Fields, aka Quany the Clown, who's looking to fund a circus. Performing as Quany the Clown at birthday parties across the city, Jacquan dreams of starting a new Philadelphia-based circus that mirrors the diversity of the city. Hear more from Jacquan when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://t...

Meet Ghulam Danish, an Afghan refugee who dreams of a "normal life." With a master’s degree in business administration and eight years of experience in marketing strategies, Ghulam works as a dishwasher at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia- hoping for a job in marketing to better provide for his family. Hear more from Ghulam when we release the full audio documentary this fall....

Meet Stephon Fitzpatrick, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Agriculture Education Excellence. Stephon works full time and goes to school full time, facing the challenge of paying his education expenses. Hear more from Stephon when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subs...

Meet Linda Hines, a childcare worker based out of Philadelphia who's trying to move up in her career. Linda is one of many older, white adults in the city who have stayed in the workforce through the pandemic and has no plans on stopping any time soon. Hear more from Linda when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving serie...

Meet Doriana Diaz, a collage artist from Philadelphia who dreams of opening up a cafe as an event space and storefront for her art. As one of about 50,000 gig-workers in the city, Doriana hopes for a more a stable living while still pursuing her passion. Hear more from Doriana when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving serie...

Meet Michael Tan, the Old City bakery owner who’s finding himself navigating the challenges of an immigrant business owner in Philadelphia. Hear more from Michael when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/

Meet Christa Barfield, an urban farmer in Philadelphia, PA who runs the popular community-supported agriculture program called Farmer Jawn, a home-grown tea shop and a nonprofit that offers agriculture classes. Hear more from Christa when we release the full audio documentary this fall. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on the Thriving series: https://technical.ly/subscribe/