Bridging Philly

Latest Episodes:

Healthy Aging Month: Local organization aiding Philly elders through new programing Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

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.

Help wanted: How the national teacher shortage impacts Philadelphia Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

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.

Philly Native Giving the Max Out of Life to Philly’s Youth Aug 21, 2022

Show notes

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.

The AACC highlights the benefits of supporting local Black businesses Aug 13, 2022

Show notes

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.

Philadelphia Parking Authority starts de-escalation training after an uptick in assaults. Jul 31, 2022

Show notes

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.

Local animal shelters are overcrowded. Is inflation part of the problem? Jul 23, 2022

Show notes

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.

Philadelphia’s Energy Coordinating Agency Launches Water Heater Emergency Fund Jul 17, 2022

Show notes

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.

Philly Organizations Team Up to Fight Food Insecurity for Youth during Summer Jul 09, 2022

Show notes

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 and Swagger House Run Club.

Roe V. Wade Overturned, What’s Next to Come? Jul 02, 2022

Show notes

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.

Pride Month is Ending but these Philly LGBTQ Leaders are keeping it going. Jun 26, 2022

Show notes

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 career more than three decades ago. Lamour joins in to tell her story and speak on her countless work and fellowship mentoring youth in the LGBTQ community.

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