Flashpoint

This week on Bridging Philly we honor the history of Juneteenth. We invite Tamara Staley, President of The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc, and Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of The Johnson House as they both give us a little history lesson on the federal holiday. Our Newsmaker of the week is Nikki Powerhouse, an LGBTQ community Philly poet and author of color who advocates for POC through her plays. Hear about her recent break out play I AM. Our Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Bilal Qaayum as he speaks on his work in the community honoring Father's Day and Juneteenth. 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 invites Melany Nelson to highlight and share her new position in the DA’s Office as the director of the Philadelphia CARES Unit, providing immediate crisis response to families impacted by homicide deaths throughout the city of Philadelphia. Our Newsmaker of the week is Duiji Mshinda, founder of Vinyl Tap 215, a DJ production company that is at the forefront of Night Life and major events in the City with a focus on making the industry a safe space for marginalized community members such as POC, LGBTQ and women DJs. The Philly Rising Changemaker recently started last March, as a way to create queer community and learn and explore some of Philly’s feathered friends, hear from Queer Birding. 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 invites Pastor G. Lamar Stewart to speak on the rise of gun violence in Philadelphia and how his new initiative, Corners to Connection, works in collaboration with local Philly Pastors and their efforts to speak to the community in most crime-ridden neighborhoods. This month we are highlighting Philly Pride. Philly's PHL Pride March and Festival is part of PHL Pride 50. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Ashley Coleman, who is one of the several organizers of this year's Pride events shares what this month has in store. The Philly Rising Changemaker is Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, a local nonprofit working to develop young boys across the city into prosperous men. 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

With the uncertainty of Covid-19, Inflation, baby formula shortage, and the recent tragedies of mass shootings, the nation may feel anxiety, angry, hopeless, powerless, or even desensitized. Bridging Philly held a group discussion this week with local psychologist Dr. Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology, LLC. Dr. Braunstein gives tips on coping with loss and grievance and how to talk to your kids about the recent events. 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 Philadelphia Prisons have been at the forefront of the news for the past couple of months. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on their investigation of allegations towards Philadelphia Prisons and how the crisis continues to brew. You will hear from Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney as she addresses those allegations and highlights how the pandemic impacted their operations and staff shortages. The Newsmaker of the week pays tribute to our community moms raising children in the midst of the violence nationally and locally. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with North Philly mother Yolanda Sydnor on her efforts in keeping her 3 sons out of trouble and her family on track from the struggle. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Myon Butler, whom the Philadelphia School District recently highlighted as the Student of the Month. Earlier this year Butler found himself at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center, and he's now on his journey to finish

Childcare providers, mothers, and educators rallied at City Hall for National Day Without Child Care on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of low pay. KYW's Racquel Williams was at this rally speaking to many providers on the issue most childcare providers are facing today. Diane Barber, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Child Care Association joined Bridging Philly to speak on solutions and the importance of Early Childhood Learning. The Newsmaker of the week is Jen Devor, President & Co-founder of Better Civics, a nonpartisan civic engagement non-profit, speaks on their released second election toolkit which focuses on educating and empowering local citizens when they vote in the May primary. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Delaware County Judge Keith Williams II. Judge Williams II is helping to inspire and mentor young boys in the area through an organization called Men on a Mission. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Lear

This weekend we are celebrating Mother’s Day with KYW’s Racquel Williams, Michelle Durham, Carol Mackenzie, and Denise Nakano as they remember their mothers and discuss the ups and downs of motherhood. Family therapist Ann Rosen Spector LCW also joins the discussion in speaking on ways to overcome hardships in parenting and work-life balance. Our newsmaker of the week pays tribute to a local Philly woman with 3 sons from the heart of North Philly. Yolanda Sydnor shares her efforts in keeping her sons out of trouble and keeping her family on track through the struggle. 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

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and since the pandemic, many people have been keeping stock of what's important in their life. This week Bridging Philly sits with motivational speaker and life coach Joy Morgan of Joy Morgan Motivates as she gives advice and insight on moving past pandemic challenges. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Dr. Esther Castillo and her efforts in launching the Support the Chinese Immigrant Families Wellness Initiative and the continuance of bridging the gap between marginalized communities through education. The Philly Rising Changemaker is a West Philly native, writer, and activist Lorene Cary. Cary uses her craft to preserve stories, especially Black legacies for the next generations. 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 non-profit working to provide resources and support necessary to enable residents to live healthy, prosperous lives in a self-sustaining community. Hearts of Camden was originally founded by 1984 by Monseigneur Michael J. Doyle, of the Sacred Heart Church, and located in the Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden City. The community based organization is putting their residents first in creating quality housing, safe spaces, arts and culture education. Heart of Camden's Board President, Ben Hill and Executive Director, Carlos Morales speak on the importance of the non profit mission, need of more volunteers and future upcoming events. The Newsmaker of the Week has be growing her food pantry into a community center in Upper Darby feeding hundreds of families suffering with food insecurity since the pandemic started. Shara Dae Howard speaks with Desiree Lamar Murphy, founder of Murphy’s Giving Market on how she got started and how it's going post pandemic. Our Philly Risi

This week Bridging Philly highlights a local non-profit, Tri-State Canine Response Team, and their paws on the ground efforts for those in need. CEO and Founder, Janice Campbell joins KYW's Racquel Williams to speak on the benefits of the human and canine bond, the pieces of training the canines go through, and share some of the services requested from other states who faced crises such as the Boulder, Colorado mass shooting. The Newsmaker of the week brings awareness for Autism Acceptance Month. KYW's Shara Dae Howard sits with KYW's Traffic Anchor Sue Schilling and her daughter Jessica, who is non-verbal, as they discuss misconceptions about autism and how the two are making history together later this month. The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Shane Darby of Delaware Co. and her non-profit, Black Mothers in Power, in training more women to be doulas in fighting to end health inequity for Black women's pregnancy.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyin

According to a 2020 report from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Maternal Mortality Review Committee, half of the city's 26 pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented. Between 2013 and 2018, 73% of pregnancy-related deaths in Philadelphia were Black women. This week Bridging Philly held a group discussion Dr. Elana McDonald from Twin Sister Docs on Maternal Equity and the actions needed to prevent Black women and infants from dying during childbirth. The Newsmaker of the week highlights therapist, doula, and CEO of Oshun Family Center, Saleemah McNeil, and her ongoing study with Temple University on how having support from Black doulas, mental health services, and lactation experts can improve heart health outcomes for pregnant Black women and raising awareness of birth trauma amongst Black women. 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

For the first since the Supreme Court’s founding in 1790, a Black woman could sit on the bench. This week on Bridging Philly we highlight Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her process into the Supreme Court. Former judge Renee Cardwell Hughes joins in the discussion to give her reaction to judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and discuss the struggle of trying to break glass ceilings. The Newsmaker of the week is Tracey L. Gordon. She’s the Register of Wills for the city but spent much of her career as a community advocate and decided to go this route to affect change within the communities for which she was previously advocating. The Philly Rising Changemaker is a former Temple Graduate and now Crown Act Champion, Adjoa B. Asamoah. 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

As we end Women's History Month, this week's Bridging Philly episode focuses on women working in male dominated industries. We highlight Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and the work she has done in the city and the solutions the Philadelphia Police Department has for the uptick on gun violence and carjackings in the Philadelphia area. Our Newsmaker of the week is Councilmember Cindy Bass of District 8 and her goal during her term as the Chair of City Council's Committee on Parks, Recreational, and Cultural Affairs of safer community spaces and neighborhoods. The Philly Rising Changemaker introduces Nairobi Colon, a Camden teacher sharing her journey as a nonbinary trailblazer on social media platforms educating those on nonbinary pronouns and reminding students to be who they are. 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 focuses on bridging the gap between the Asian and Black communities in Philadelphia. After a series of tragic incidents during the pandemic. Romana Lee-Akiyama, Director, Office of Public Engagement, Jeanette Bavwidinsi, Director, Office of Youth Engagement and Rob Buscher of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia and Japanese American Citizens League, speak on their efforts in speaking to both communities through their Black and Gold series held by the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Dr. Esther HioTong Castillo and her efforts in launching the Support the Chinese Immigrant Families Wellness Initiative. 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

This week Bridging Philly invited Honorary Consul of Ukraine, Iryna Maur, and President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Philadelphia Branch, Eugene Luciw to give their perspective on the conflict in Ukraine. Hear how you can connect with the Philadelphia Ukrainian community and help in aiding families in Ukraine. The Newsmaker of the week highlights two volunteers at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown. Hear their efforts to collect aid and donations. The Philly Rising Changemaker honors Linda Shockley for Women's Month, of the Lawnside Historical Society, and her dedication to preserving and maintaining Black History, such as the historical Peter Mott House in Lawnside.   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 History Month honors the history makers who made a difference in this country and in the community, but what happens when the month is over. This week Bridging Philly speaks with Executive Director of Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Chad Dion Lassiter, he shares his expertise with civil rights, diversity, and inclusion as well as how to keep the conversation on Black history going. The Newsmaker of the week highlights the Claybourne-Napier family and their efforts to create a movie that depicts a Black fairy tale, 'The Rainbow Prince', inspired by their 10-year-old daughter, Marea. The Claybourne-Napier family did complete the film and showcased it at schools during Black History Month. The Philly Rising Changemaker is honoring Women History Month, this week is a West Philly native, author, educator, and activist, Lorraine Carey. Carey uses her writing and storytelling to connect youth with history and legacies. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.

This week Bridging Philly is closing out Black History Month by highlighting Temple University's effort to unravel systemic oppression through advocacy, education, and scholarship. Assistant Professor, Civil Rights Attorney, and now led Director of the Anti-Racism Research Center, Timothy Welbeck, speaks on some of the toughest topics of racism and some solutions the research center is working to change in the community. The Bridging Philly Newsmaker of the week is Gwen Ragsdale, curator of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery. Ragsdale speaks on the importance of children learning their history, and hear her family's direct connections with Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Massacre. Our Philly Rising Changemaker highlights two twin doctors making changes in the medical field and the community. TwinSisterDocs, Dr.Delana Wardlaw, and Dr. Elana McDonald on their efforts to serve those in underserved black and brown communities through quality service and education on health, while building a pipeline for diversi

This week Bridging Philly discussed The NAACP annual Convention with Atlantic City NAACP Chapter President Kaleem Shabazz. Shabazz shares how this year's convention is going to focus and cater to the youth, issues within law enforcement, and Black businesses. Our newsmaker of the week is Helen Gym, who joined the Philadelphia City Council in 2016 since then Gym has led a human rights agenda focusing on Philly's youth and as chair of Council's Children and Youth Committee, she has made public schools a priority. Gym speaks about the positive benefits of the new ABC show created by Philly native Quinta B called Abbot Elementary, has in focusing on inner-city school districts and reinforcing teachers in the public schools. The Philly Rising Changemaker honors Linda Shockley, of the Lawnside Historical Society, and her dedication to preserving and maintaining Black History, such as the historical Peter Mott House in Lawnside. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyi

This week Bridging Philly holds a group discussion focusing on the rich history of the National Panhellenic Council of Philadelphia inviting Visit Philly's chief innovation and global diversity officer, Rachel Ferguson to discuss their Black History Month initiative highlighting prominent members of the Black organizations and some of their favorite places in Philadelphia. The Newsmaker of the week is Melvin Payne, President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc efforts in keeping the legacy of the men and women, black and white through conversations, education, and scholarships in honor of the airmen. The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Dr. Sheena Howard and her new comic "BLAM! Black Lives Always Mattered' which profiles Black leaders in history and will be distributed to Black students throughout Philadelphia. 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://podcastchoi

With the National Black HIV/AIDs Awareness Day coming February 7th, this week KYW's Racquel Williams sits with the Health Resource and Services Administrations, Dr. Laura Cheever on their efforts to raise awareness on HIV/ AIDs and the stigma impacting the community of colors. The Newsmaker of the week highlights Self Inc's President and COO, Mike Hinson, Jr. Self Inc, is the largest provider for emergency housing services for the homeless in Philadelphia. Mike Hinson Jr, is also an HIV/AIDS educator and civil rights advocate. Hinson shares his work in keeping marginalized communities at the forefront of priorities for policymakers throughout Philadelphia. The Philly Rising Changemaker caught up with Mykey Cooper, a 16-year-old star in the making, from North Philadelphia with many talents including acting, rapping, entertainer, and named one of the youngest writers for the Jimmy Fallon kid show.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy