Flashpoint

This week on Bridging Philly, KYW community impact reporter Racquel Williams speaks with Care Not Control, a Philly nonprofit working to end juvenile incarceration. They just released a new project that puts their message to music. For the Newsmaker of the Week, KYW's Shara Dae Howard introduces us to Imperfect Gallery, an artist run gallery opened in 2012 in Germantown. They welcome the community to connect and grow together through conversations around art and well as civic engagement. This election season, they doubled down on that mission. The Philly Rising Changemaker is David Evans, a father, realtor, part-time coach with Philadelphia Youth Basketball, and concerned citizen. Local politics first piqued his interest with a question: How could he get speed bumps installed in his North Philadelphia neighborhood for the safety of his 11-year-old son who plays outside? KYW's Antionette Lee follows his story. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privac

This week on Bridging Philly, KYW Community Impact Reporter Racquel Williams speaks with Mazzie Casher and Steven Pickens of Philly Truce, a violence prevention group working tirelessly to stave the gun violence in Philadelphia. The newsmaker this week is Beyond Literacy, a group in Philadelphia working to raise the literacy levels in the city. KYW's Shara Dae Howard learned how the organization aims to increase good outcomes for Philadelphia children by improving literacy in the home and in schools. The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week is eight-year-old Gideon Ansah, who goes by the stage name “Star Jr.”. He's been DJing for most of his life, and KYW's Antionette Lee explains how he fulfilled his civic duty this past Election Day by using his love for music to bring beats to a West Philly polling location.  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

This week on Bridging Philly, KYW community impact reporter Racquel Williams speaks with Rachel Honore and Anne Kennan of Literacy and More. Literacy and More is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide access to community resources for the empowerment of Philadelphia families living in resource-scarce areas. Our newsmaker this week is Christine Brunson, founder of Purple House Project PA, a local nonprofit focused on strengthening women fallen victim to domestic violence. She tells KYW's Shara Dae Howard that her approach is one of connection and expansion with an emphasis on holistic healing. This week's Philly Rising changemaker is 8-year-old Addie Auth, a leukemia survivor who made a video to cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.     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

LUCY Camden (or Lifting Up Camden's Youth) is a comprehensive after-school and summer youth mentoring program. KYW Community Impact reporter Racquel Williams visited their state of the art, renovated space to find out more about the work they're doing and what's in store for the organization. The Newsmaker of the week is Joss Duncan Asé, the founder of a new multimedia platform that focuses on lifting up communities across the city. She’s recently been recognized by the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists as a trailblazer for her new take on reporting local news, and she talks with KYW's Shara Dae Howard. This week's Philly Rising Changemaker is Maureen Carreno. During the pandemic, Maureen Carreno of Delaware County became known as “Souper Mummum,” sharing her soup recipes on Facebook and meals with the community. The weekly soup drive-bys have ended, but the giving hasn’t. Lately, Carreno has been using her passion and talent for cooking to help families fleeing abuse at the Domestic Abuse Project

This week on Bridging Philly, Racquel Williams talks with Kathy Rafter, Cara Gimble and Cait Pringle from Abington Senior High School. The school has two programs for young adults, ages 18-21, with IEPs, or Individualized Education Programs. ACTIVE academy and STRIVE utilizes the classroom and community to teach students vocational, travel training, and independent living skills. Students are given opportunities to practice these skills in the classroom, at their job site, and in the community. Our newsmaker this week is Nile Livingston, a public muralist with deep Philly roots. She uses her community connections to inform her work while also using her art as a form of representation for those same communities. Recently she’s gotten a lot of attention for two high profile mural commissions at both the children’s hospital of Philadelphia and another in the Gayborhood. This week's Philly Rising Changemaker is Dr. Bernadette Wheeler. By day, she is a gynecologist at the University of Pennsylvania. But Wheeler sa

Today on Bridging Philly, Racquel Williams talks with two Philadelphia women who decided to take a DNA test to trace their ancestry and they got way more than they bargained for. Lisa Swyer and Donna Garey learned their true identities and reached out to Right To Know, a national support group founded by Kara Rubinstein Deyerin and Alecia Weiss. The group helps individuals who learn their true identity after using popular DNA testing kits. The Newsmaker of the week is Dr. Monique Gary, a breast cancer surgeon and local LGBTQ activist of color. Dr. Gary recently established a foundation to encourage healing in a more wholistic way, through farming. She talks with Shara Dae Howard about the foundation. Find out more at https://www.stillrisefarms.com. The Philly Rising Changemaker is YEAH Philly, the Youth Empowerment Advancement Hangout. Antionette Lee speaks with Kendra Van De Water, executive director and co-founder of YEAH Philly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://w

Terrill Haigler might be better known in Philadelphia as Ya Fav Trashman. The former sanitation worker has built a reputation and an online as an advocate for sanitation workers and cleaner streets. He's written a children’s book that teaches kids about clean communities. And now he's running for Philadelphia City Council. Racquel Williams sits down with Haigler to talk about why he's running and his big ideas for Philadelphia. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Crystal Jackson, the founder of the Perfectly Flawless Foundation, a Philadelphia nonprofit that gives clothes to people in transition. Shara Dae Howard sits down with Jackson to talk about her story, what the Perfectly Flawless Foundation does, and the message she wants to get out.  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

The City of Philadelphia is working with the American Cancer Society to remind everyone to get screened for cancer. Today on Bridging Philly, we talk with some doctors from ACS about the importance of early detection.  Dr. Carmen Guerra is a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine. Dr. Guerra talks with Racquel Williams about cancer screenings, the disparities in cancer screenings, and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on cancer screenings and cancer outcomes. We also talk with Dr. Arnold M. Baskies, a surgeon, past chairman of the National Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, and chair of the Philadelphia Region for the American Cancer Society, to ask some questions about what happens when surgery is needed after a breast cancer diagnosis.  Shara Dae Howard talks with Casandra Gunkel and Gloria Davis from the Sankofa Artisans Guild about a traveling exhibit honoring Harriet Tubman's legacy, currently in Bucks County. The Philly Rising Changemaker of th

I'm Listening is a Bridging Philly special presentation about suicide prevention and the importance of talking about mental health.  In this special edition of the show, we talk about the importance of checking in on your mental health and how to get support when you need it, how kids are doing in these times of change and uncertainty, the unique struggles faced by people in marginalized communities, and the devastating impact of gun violence. KYW's Racquel Williams speaks with Dr. Ann Rosen Spector, a clinical psychologist in Philadelphia, about the state of our mental health, why there's stigma around talking about it, when to know you need help, and how to find it. KYW's Mike DeNardo speaks with Samantha Anthony, a clinician at the Uplift Center for Grieving Children in Philadelphia, about how grief and trauma affect children. KYW's Shara Dae howard speaks with Rashida Henry, the founder of mental health and counseling company Knows No Face, about mental health in marginalized communities. KYW's Kristen Jo

This week on Bridging Philly, Sistahs in Transformation speak on their upcoming Women's Empowerment Conference happening at the end of September. Sistahs in Transformation is a non-profit that was founded amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear how three local women came together to make a safe space for Black and Brown women to be empowered by taking control of their mental, physical, and financial health, while supporting others along the journey. Our Newsmaker of the Week highlights Raheem Bell. Bell was a victim of a carjacking attempt when he got shot at close range earlier this year. Now, the public school teacher is inspired to share his experience while healing through community give-back events. This week’s Philly Rising Changemaker started out by spending a day feeding the homeless in Kensington. That grew into serving the community every day by helping those recovering from addiction. As National Recovery Month begins, we talk with Darnell Hinton , President and CEO of Teach One Feed One, which helps i

This week on Bridging Philly, we highlight Healthy Aging Month, which was designed to focus on the positive aspects of aging. We sit down with the President and CEO of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Najja Orr. He shares the efforts the organization is doing to help the local elder community, such as health and nutrition job training and advocating for elders when it comes to financial abuse and legal services. We then hear from former Marketing Director of KYW, Kyle Ruffin on her journey of leaving her career and becoming her mother’s sole caregiver. Kyle’s mother suffered from 3 strokes, and now Kyle has a book sharing her experience as a caregiver. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is working his way into markets and grocery stores after teaming up with Drexel’s Good Food Accelerator Program. Arthur Browne, Chef and Owner of Authentic Cuisine, shares his desire to bring authentic West African food products into homes. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyin

Summer is officially over for many students and the Philadelphia School District is still trying to fill teacher vacancies. This episode, we sit down with the president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Jerry T. Jordan, to speak on the national teacher shortage and efforts in retaining school teachers in classrooms.  A shortage of teachers is not the only issue Pennsylvania is facing. According to the State Department of Education, there's a plan to increase the number of teachers by 2025 with teacher apprenticeships, easing teacher certification guidelines, and more recruiting. But one Camden, NJ teacher is urging school districts to focus on hiring Black educators. Rann Miller of Camden Academy Charter High School speaks on the importance of having more teachers of color in front of the classroom. 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

This week Bridging Philly highlights a motivational speaker and transformational life coach and his efforts in helping youth become empowered, boost their confidence, and value their lives. South Philly native Maxwell Brown shares his story of years in incarceration and his teenage decisions to demonstrate how thinking controls actions, behaviors, and outcomes through his workshop and programs. The Bridging Philly Newsmaker highlights Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia researchers and their efforts in developing an algorithm to help define differences between ADHD symptoms from other conditions. We speak with Dr. Hakon Hakonarson, the director of the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP. Dr. Hakonarson believes this new tool will lead to more precise clinical trials and better treatments. 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

August is Black Business Month. Black business owners make up 10% of the businesses in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the president of the African American Chamber of Commerce, Regina Hairston, to talk about the importance of supporting Black Businesses and giving tips on starting a business here in Philadelphia. In honor of this month, we check in with a local business, Dillonades LLC. Dillonades is a mom-and-son duo business started by Tiffany Greene with her 14-year-old son Dillon. Tiffany talks about her challenges when turning a side hustle into a business. 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

This week Bridging Philly invited the Philadelphia Parking Authority to get a better understanding of the authority and their mission. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits down with Beth Grossman, Board Chairman, Dennis Weldon, PPA General Counsel and Acting Executive Director, and two Deputy Executive Directors, Clarena Tolson and Corrine O’Connor, to speak on the misconceptions surrounding the authority, some programs PPA has and are starting, and the rise of threats and assaults PPA employers have been going through. The Bridging Philly Newsmaker celebrates two local men working in the Philadelphia community to give young black men a way off the streets and on to a sustainable career path. Lonnie Clover Umar and David Baker are Philly tradesmen with a passion for teaching and mentoring. Both are licensed contractors, electricians, roofers, and plumbers. Through their training programs, they teach life and trade skills that can pave the way for what they hope can be a bright future off the streets. To learn more a

Animal Shelters across Philadelphia are filling up with pets. Many pet owners are forced to give up their pets, and many can no longer afford vet bills, food, and other pet necessities. This week Bridging Philly invites Philly Paws Executive Director Melissa Levy to discuss the importance of adoption and fostering pets and the things people should consider before adoption. The newsmaker of the week highlights Senator Shariff Street sharing his ongoing efforts in embracing the Philadelphia community through programs focused on food insecurity and gun violence. Our Philly Rising Changemaker honors Philly local Carol Wong and her work in educating and empowering immigrant and Asian-American communities. 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

ECA’s Heater Hotline team serves numerous calls each week from low-income families who have no hot water. The program plans to assist families with water heater replacements at no cost. This week Bridging Philly speaks with CEO of ECA, Steve Luxton, and Director of Community Programs, Lorraine Horton, on the recent launch of the Philadelphia Water Heater Emergency Fund, along with tips on how your family can start conserving energy and promote a sustainable household. 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

Many students in the Philadelphia School District rely on school meals during the school year. With school being out, kids no longer have access to free lunches. This week Bridging Philly tackles food insecurity in Philadelphia. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with Community Impact Director Anita Anim of the American Heart Association and Jamese Newsome-Williams, Director of Adult Programs and Community Services of North 10, on their partnership to feed the community in North Philly. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard meets with Program Coordinator Ron Brown at Smith Playground in South Philly. Ron has been a volunteer at the playground and coordinator of programming for seven years, and in that time, he’s become a father figure and mentor to the community. His goal is to keep kids fed and off the streets while helping them. The Philly Rising Changemaker runs the streets and neighborhoods of Philadelphia for Mental Health Awareness and gun violence prevention. KYW’s Antionette Lee speaks with two organizations, Black Men Run

The wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked a lot of reactions and protests across the nation. Kimberly Mutcherson, co-dean and law professor at Rutgers Law School joins KYW’s Racquel Williams to talk about the legal implications of what’s next to come and discuss some privacy rights at risk. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with local Philadelphia doctors as they share challenges and legal risks after Roe’s overturning, from determining provider care when the life of a mother is at risk to medical treatments. The Philly Rising Changemaker is Philadelphia Family Pride, discussing the uptick of high demand from the LGBTQ+ families seeking counsel. 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

Through justice work, advocacy, non-profits, and weekly events, the Philadelphia LGBTQ Community is keeping Pride afloat. This week on Bridging Philly, KYW’s Racquel Williams, Shara Dae Howard and Antionette Lee first sit down with State Representative for the 181st District and is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and co-facilitator a social support group at the William Way LGBT Center called Transway to speak on policies still needed to be placed to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ Community. The ladies also sit with the Executive Director of William Way LGBT Community Center, Chris Bartlett, and his mission to preserve and tell the stories and memories of those who lost their lives through a crisis such as the aids epidemic, gun violence, and Covid-19. He also shares stories of historical events that happened here in Philadelphia. Lastly, KYW’s Shara Dae Howard, speaks with Philly Drag Legend, Brenda J. Lamour, who began her drag care