Flashpoint

When someone is a victim of a crime or loses a loved one to violence, they need support - and many organizations in Philadelphia are ready to help. Racquel Williams talks with Melany Nelson, Executive Director of Northwest Victim Services, and Rev. G. Lamar Stewart Sr., Senior Pastor at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, about the services they offer - from therapy to food security - and how they and other groups are coming together to honor National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12. We also hear from two women who lost children to gun violence and found healing through these groups. Then, we close out Women’s History Month on Shara in the City with a spotlight on two local women-owned businesses that received a helping hand from their communities after their social media posts went viral. Shara Dae Howard visits Chubby Chicks Cafe and Pure Green Philly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit

Each year, Philadelphia schools struggle to fill around 2,000 vacancies, and fewer people are pursuing teaching as a career. How do we incentivize more people to become teachers and solve this crisis? Elevate 215 and around 30 other organizations came together to form the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition to study that question. Executive Director Dr. Stacy Holland joins Racquel Williams to talk about what Philadelphia schools need to thrive, plus how federal cuts to the Department of Education could trickle down locally. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, you can learn what opportunities are available at teachphl.org. Then, on Shara in the City, we’re walking the red carpet as Racquel joins Shara Dae Howard for the UNCF annual Philadelphia Mayor’s Masked Ball - the organization’s signature fundraiser to help support students through college, and one of the biggest, most glamorous parties in Philly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/

When COVID-19 became a global pandemic five years ago, Dr. Ala Stanford stepped up to help Philadelphians get access to information, testing, care, and later, vaccines. She founded the Black Doctors Consortium, and after her work gained national media attention, then-President Biden appointed her Regional Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Last summer, Dr. Stanford published a book, “Take Care of Them Like My Own”. It’s about her personal journey, her work, and the importance of equity and representation in medicine. She talks about all of that with our host, Racquel Williams. This interview originally aired July 27, 2024. Then, on a new Shara in the City, we’re talking to family and friends of Philly’s real life Rocky Balboa, Joe Frazier. Shara Dae Howard heads out to North Philly, where Frazier’s gym is sitting in disrepair on Broad Street and the community is fighting to save it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy

When children are facing obstacles such as poverty and gun violence, they need consistent, ongoing support from a source they trust. Friends of the Children pairs kids starting at age 4 with paid, professional mentors - or Friends - who stay with them for 12+ years. The organization just opened a Philadelphia branch, partnering with two elementary schools and a community center. Racquel Williams talks with the Philadelphia Executive Director, Dr. Betty Handy. Then, on Shara in the City, we’re heading to Phoenixville, PA to learn about one of the last theaters of its kind - the Colonial Theatre. Shara Dae Howard gets a tour of the venue that was built in 1902 and still screens films and hosts live events. Plus, we hear about its ties to one of the most classic horror films of the 20th century. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Harold Barrow’s daughter was born, he was addicted to heroin and living in an abandoned house. ACHIEVEability gave them both a place to live and helped Harold get his GED and bachelor’s degree. Now, Harold is working for ACHIEVEability, helping other families in similar circumstances. Harold and ACHIEVEability’s Executive Director Jamila Harris-Morrison join Racquel Williams to talk about the program. Then, on Shara in the City, we get a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of the Philadelphia Flower Show, as Shara Dae Howard steps in as a volunteer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britt James Carpenter is a five-time overdose survivor. After being incarcerated, he found his way to recovery and decided to turn his negative experiences into a source for good. He joins Racquel Williams to talk about his non-profit, Philly Unknown Project, which provides resources to the formerly incarcerated, people experiencing homelessness, and those with substance abuse disorder. Then, on Shara in the City, the founder of The Colored Girls Museum, Vashti Dubois, takes us through one of the most talked about art exhibitions for Black History Month for one last look before its closing. Shara Dae Howard explores “The Time is Always Now” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are still fighting racism in 2024, but many people find it hard to talk about or even acknowledge. EMBRACING RACE - The Conversation, based in Collingswood, NJ, is taking steps to dismantle racism by gathering people of different backgrounds to talk honestly about it, to better understand what’s really going on. Racquel Williams talks with several members of their core group. And on Shara in the City, Lloyd Parks is the last living member of the famous Philly R&B group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - and he can still hit those high notes in songs like “I Miss You” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now”. Shara Dae Howard takes a journey through time to hear Lloyd’s story. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terrill Haigler, a former Philadelphia sanitation worker, rose to local fame through his Instagram @_yafavtrashman, where he’s been raising awareness about illegal dumping. Between hauling gigs, fundraising, and a grant, he was recently able to buy a truck of his own and hire returning citizens to help him clean up the city’s streets. He tells Racquel Williams about growing both his charitable work and his business, and his goal of picking up 500 tons of trash in 2025. Then, on Shara in the City, we drive up Broad Street to the bright pink Shrimp Corner to honor local businessman and community leader Sid Booker, who died late last month at the age of 87. Shara Dae Howard talks with some of Sid’s friends and family about the legacy he left in North Philly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chinatown residents fought against a new 76ers arena in their neighborhood for two years. Just when they thought they had lost, the Sixers changed course and decided to rebuild where they are in South Philly. Racquel Williams talks with two Chinatown community leaders in the wake of this whiplash, to hear how they feel about the final decision, why this was such an important battle to them, and what Chinatown residents and businesses owners want to see in the Market East corridor now. Then, on Shara in the City, we return to the Awbury Arboretum grief garden to spend more time with those loveable goats. Shara Dae Howard meets a mother who got a second chance at life through Gift of Life Donor Program and her daughter, as they walk through the garden and reflect. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Technology is a growing field ripe with opportunities, if you know where to look. Hopeworks introduces young adults in Philadelphia and Camden, NJ to tech jobs they might not have known existed, providing training and job experience for people ages 17 to 27, and breaking down barriers to employment like housing insecurity and mental health challenges. Host Racquel Williams talks with Hopeworks CEO Dan Rhoton and a young adult, Aaron Torres, who is launching his career after going through the training program. Then, on Shara in the City, we visit the grief garden at Awbury Arboretum to hear how grief and gratitude go hand-in-hand, and how nature and animals can help you heal. Shara Dae Howard takes a walk through the garden with the Philly Goat Project and our friends at the Gift of Life Donor Program. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When Donald Trump was elected for a second presidential term, the reaction from many marginalized communities was fear - immigrants fearing they’ll be deported, trans and nonbinary people fearing they’ll lose the ability to live as themselves, women fearing they’ll lose access to reproductive health care. Philadelphia is a Democratic city that voted against Trump and has many protections in place, and City Councilmember Rue Landau has initiated hearings to make sure those protections stay in place. She joins host Racquel Williams along with Jasmine Rivera, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, to discuss what the city and local organizations are preparing for ahead of Inauguration Day. Then, on Shara in the City, Sisters Affirming Sisterhood distributes identity affirming clothing to the trans community, and repurposes donated clothes to promote sustainable fashion. Shara Dae Howard visits to help them organize clothes, and learns how to strut on the runway from a ballroom queen. To

One of the first - and hardest - steps to getting your life back after incarceration is to find a job.There’s a lot to adjust to, and employers can be hesitant, but Baker Industries and their partners say there are actually benefits to hiring returning citizens. The nonprofit provides training and jobs for people facing barriers to employment due to previous incarceration, homelessness, or disabilities. Host Racquel Williams talks with Nic Watson, President of Baker Industries; Nathaniel Mell, CEO of partner company Felt+Fat; and Nate Bunday, who began working at Felt + Fat through Baker Industries. Then, on Shara in the City, we visit a beloved Philadelphia landmark: the Magic Gardens. Shara Dae Howard gets an inside look at the art, including an upcoming exhibit made from the salvaged pieces of Isaiah Zagar’s iconic Painted Bride mosaic mural. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podc

Every January, we’re determined to improve our lives by making New Year’s resolutions. Then, for most of us, we fall off track as the year goes on. What does it take to make a positive change in your life that lasts? Paula Michele Boyle, founder of Life Coach Philly International School of Coaching and author of “Love Coach”, joins host Racquel Williams to talk about setting and sticking to your goals. Then, on Shara in the City, artist Mickalene Thomas is spotlighting Black femininity in her traveling exhibit, “All About Love.” Shara Dae Howard visits The Barnes for a musical event celebrating Thomas’s work, which is on display there until January 12. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’ve seen a surge of people facing food insecurity since pandemic relief ended, and the numbers have not gone back down. It’s a particular issue in Philadelphia, where about 22% of people live in poverty - twice the national average. Share Food Program is the city’s leading hunger relief organization. Their executive director, George Matysik, and deputy chief program officer, Cat Bartoli, join host Racquel Williams to discuss the programs they offer - from pantries to delivery, school lunches to senior programs - and how widespread the issue of food insecurity is.  Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard visits Down North Pizza, where they hire formerly incarcerated people as employees. She joins the staff for a day to make a pizza and learn why their mission is so important. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Glamorous mother-daughter duo Nazaret Teclesambet and Favian Sutton created The Wine Garden on Baltimore Ave in 2019 as a space where women can relax, feel comfortable, and treat themselves - though all are welcome in the family-friendly space. The Wine Garden is open in the summer, but this year, they’re doing their first winter experience - a Black Girl Magic Holiday Pop-Up at annex. at the Divine Lorraine Hotel. This was something we had to see (and taste) for ourselves! Racquel Williams and Shara Dae Howard took the show on the road to see the space, try some specialty drinks, and hear about the history of the Divine Lorraine that inspired this celebratory pop-up. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black-owned businesses often face additional barriers to getting off the ground - a historic wealth gap and lack of access to resources, to name a few. The African American Chamber of Commerce advocates for Black business owners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. Host Racquel Williams talks with their President & CEO, Regina A. Hairston, and a member of the chamber, Jason Ray, President & Chief Investment Officer at Zenith Wealth Partners, about what Black-owned businesses need from the city of Philadelphia and from each other. Then, on Shara in the City, Black Dragon Takeout in West Philly has been getting a ton of buzz for its fusion of soul food with the aesthetics of Chinese takeout. Shara Dae Howard stops by to hear how this idea formed, and to decide if their wings live up to the hype. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to Black and Missing Foundation, 40% of missing persons cases are people of color. The Amber Alert system was created to help find missing children, but is it doing enough for Black and brown youth? Pennsylvania State Reps. Carol Kazeem and Gina H. Curry have proposed a bill to implement an Ebony Alert system, similar to ones in other states, that would send alerts about missing children of color. Our host Racquel Williams talks with them and hip-hop artist and activist Bigga Dre, who has started a movement to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking. To report human trafficking or get help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard takes a walk down Afromation Avenue to hear about Mural Arts’ collection of positive affirmation street signs celebrating predominantly Black neighborhoods in Philadelphia. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more

Have you eaten catfish and waffles? Turtle soup? As we now enjoy an enormous variety of food, these dishes are part of Philly’s culinary history. Origins of the city’s food traditions are rooted in the cultural melting pot that includes the African diaspora and the Pennsylvania Dutch. Chef & Culinary Educator Joy Parham and Elwood Restaurant Chef & Owner Adam Diltz join host Racquel Williams to share some holiday traditions and explain why the cultural foods we eat connect us to the regions in which we live. Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard takes a holiday shopping tour of some of West Philly and Germantown’s Black-and Brown-owned businesses. This episode originally aired on December 23, 2023. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the country has been divided, with many states banning or restricting abortion and many others passing measures to protect abortion access. Now that Donald Trump has been elected President again, and Republicans have control of both the Senate and the House, what changes could we see, and how could they affect reproductive health care beyond abortion? Rachel Rebouché, Kean Family Dean and Peter J. Liacouras Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law, joins our host, Racquel Williams, to discuss the current state of reproductive rights and what could come next. You can learn about the abortion laws in your state at reproductiverights.org. Then, on Shara in the City, we catch up with Jeannine A. Cook, owner of Harriett’s Bookshop, after her successful fundraising campaign to bring 15 Philadelphia youth to Paris. Shara Dae Howard talks with the kids as they prepare for their trip. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.a

New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery, and you can see the impacts of that today in things like housing inequality and a massive wealth gap. Several Black advocacy groups banded together to form United Black Agenda and push for policies, education, and programs that will help close that gap. Executive Director Rev. Eric Dobson joins Racquel Williams to talk about UBA’s initiatives. Look for Rev. Eric Dobson’s podcast “Navigating Realities: Where dialogue meets understanding” coming soon! Then, on Shara in the City, we visit TILT Institute for the Contemporary Image, where Shara Dae Howard meets the formerly incarcerated artists behind their new exhibit, “Wherever There Is Light.” To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices