Bridging Philly

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Preparing for a second Trump administration | Gender-affirming, sustainable clothes Jan 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

Jobs for returning citizens | Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens Jan 11, 2025

Show notes

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.

Making your New Year’s goals stick | “All About Love” exhibit at The Barnes Jan 04, 2025

Show notes

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.

Best of Bridging Philly: Fighting food insecurity | Pizza with a purpose Dec 28, 2024

Show notes

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.

Treating ourselves at the Black Girl Magic Holiday Wine Garden Pop-Up Dec 21, 2024

Show notes

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.

Support for Black-owned businesses | Black + Asian food fusion Dec 14, 2024

Show notes

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.

A push to find missing children of color | Art to affirm Black communities Dec 07, 2024

Show notes

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.

Best of Bridging Philly: Local food traditions | Black & Brown-owned small biz shopping Nov 30, 2024

Show notes

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.

The future of reproductive rights | Philly youth head to Paris Nov 23, 2024

Show notes

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.

Addressing racial inequalities in NJ | Formerly incarcerated photographers on display Nov 16, 2024

Show notes

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.”

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