Bridging Philly

Latest Episodes:

Flashpoint: Northwest Victim Services continue to aid victims and families as gun violence surges Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint brings back Northwest Victim Services Executive Director Melany Nelson and court and community advocate Wendell Louissaint to update us on their victim services and resources since the uptick of gun violence in the city.

The Newsmaker this week highlights a Delco native and Temple graduate, Lydia Peterson, who is set to debut her first film “Walking On.” Her film is already being compared to movies like Love and Basketball. She says she wants to “tell stories we want to see.”

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Reuben Jones, founder of Frontline Dads Community Food Bank. Jones shares their efforts in being a mutual aid in making deliveries to seniors, veterans, pregnant mothers, and people living with disabilities amid the pandemic and just in time for the holidays.

Flashpoint: Bringing youth to the forefront of gun violence solutions Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

So far we've talked to mothers who lost their children to gun violence, community leaders working to prevent violence, and medical experts about the state of Philadelphia's gun violence crisis. This week's Flashpoint focuses on the solutions to gun violence and hearing from youth and their perspective on how youth can make an impact in finding solutions to prevent gun violence.

This week's newsmaker highlights Swarthmore College's collaboration with local groups and activists in the launch of Delco's first homicide database with CeaseFire Pa's Executive Director, Adam Garber.

The Philly Rising Changemaker honors the Shelton T. Hayes Foundation created by Rhonda Gore, after the death of her son in 2018, in an effort to help other families survive the grief of losing a loved one to gun violence.

Flashpoint: Uptick in domestic homicide Nov 07, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint discusses the domestic violence issue amid the pandemic and highlights the recent uptick in domestic homicide. Marcella Nyachogo, Assistant Director of the Bilingual Domestic Violence Program at Lutheran Settlement House shares the impact of safe housing, but there are many barriers that prevent survivors from obtaining, maintaining safe and affordable housing. Jess Ivey is a domestic violence survivor and consultant advocating awareness of domestic abuse that leads to domestic homicide.

The newsmaker of the week is Angela Anderson, a Master’s level Therapist with a background in Child psychology who now works in Philadelphia public schools helping students cope with the pressures of school, home, and peers. The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Bucks County's only domestic violence shelter, A Woman's Place, and the increase in demand for their help during the pandemic.

Flashpoint: Local Philly Teacher has no fear of curriculum transparency Nov 01, 2021

Show notes

This week's Flashpoint is focused on education and critical race theory. KYW's Jay Scott Smith sits with Kristin Leubbert, a local Philadelphia school teacher who has taught mostly Black and Brown students, explains why she is not afraid of critical race theory.

The newsmaker of the week is Yolanda Wisher, the third Poet Laureate of Philadelphia as well as an educator who uses spoken word poetry focusing on her experiences as a Black woman as well as the collective Black experiences in Philadelphia.

The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Ron Curtis of Final Touch Academy. Curtis shares his story of once being incarcerated and opening his dream academy for those chasing their dreams.

Flashpoint: Local Sexual Violence Center Offers Bystander Intervention Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

The recent tragedy of the rape of a woman on public transportation last week has sparked national outrage and resentment. Many reports claimed that witnesses watched the incident transpire and took videos of it for their own gratifications. NBC10 reported District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer "That is simply not true. It did not happen. We have security video from SEPTA that shows that is not the true narrative.” This week Flashpoint will focus on the importance of bystander intervention. KYW's Antionette Lee speaks with WOAR's Teresa White-Walston, Director of Education Services, and Rachel Copen, Director of Counseling Services on their bystander intervention program in their efforts to fight against sexual violence.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Sappho Fulton CEO of Sappho and LaRoyce Foundation an organization specifically for the QTBIPOC community. Sappho has been a long-time community activist with a focus on domestic abuse and violence within the communities.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Dr. Helena Fontes of the NewView Institute and her efforts to aid domestic violence and counsel young men to prevent domestic violence.

Flashpoint: Help for families coping with losing an infant Oct 17, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint is highlighting National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, which occurs every October. Marisa Brahney, a TV host from New Jersey, shares her experience in losing her first daughter and her effort to continue to raise awareness and understanding for families in need. Dr. Rayna Markin is a local therapist who focuses on maternal mental health, pregnancy loss, and infertility with women and couples who have experienced pregnancy loss/infertility advises parents who need support.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Asasiya Muhammad, founder of Inner Circle Midwifery in Germantown. Muhammad is one of few midwives of color in Philadelphia and has been a tested community source of support for women of color during pregnancy.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is a local non-profit catering to parents and families who are grieving the loss of a child. Three Little Birds LLC was founded by Kristen Samuelson who is working to bring awareness of infant loss.

Flashpoint: Hispanic Heritage Month Oct 10, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint highlights Hispanic Heritage Month and the growth and impact the Hispanic community had in Philadelphia. CEO of PHL Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Jennifer Rodriguez and Hispanic Community Counseling Services CEO Hector Ayala describe the meaning of Hispanic Heritage Month, the issues the Hispanic community face in Philadelphia that go unnoticed, and share their stories of being Puerto Rico natives moving to Philadelphia and creating change.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Mr. Yoshiaki Yamasaki, a licensed psychologist and Executive Director at The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium and World Healthcare Infrastructures, working to provide assistance to those among the Hispanic community.

Our Philly Rising Changemaker is a Philly native, Jahlik Mathis, who is now a detective for the Baltimore Police Department. Not only is he known as the 'giving back detective,' but is making a difference one sneaker at a time to his hometown of North Philadelphia.

Flashpoint: Community relations and trust in media Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint dives into a deep discussion on the community relationship with and trust in media. Many news outlets' have been criticized for how reporters report on crime, and specifically on gun violence. With local news outlets reporting the 400th homicide this year, we wanted to discuss ways media can improve their reporting on crime while maintaining their mission to serve the public with facts. We hear from a community leader and founder of the Young Chances Foundation, KYW Newsradio's Brand Manager and Program Director, and lastly, Jessica Beard, a trauma surgeon at Temple University Hospital and Director of the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

Our Flashpoint Newsmaker of the week is Earnest Owens, an award-winning journalist. He was nationally recognized and known for his work in print news and his advocacy work in bringing change in his community and the news industry.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Steven CW Taylor, the owner and curator of the recently opened Ubuntu Fine Art Gallery in Germantown.

I’m Listening: A Flashpoint special about suicide prevention and why talking about mental health matters Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

I'm Listening is a Flashpoint special about suicide prevention and the importance of talking about mental health. In this special edition of the show, we explore the impact of mental health in Philadelphia youth amid COVID-19, the uptick of suicide rates in the LGBTQ community, and how communities of color break barriers within Black men seeking therapy.

Mary Murtha Ann, Area Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, speaks on how survivor stories can significantly affect helping others. David Huber, a survivor, and partner of the American Foundation for Suicide, shares his story and his efforts in helping others. Lastly, Mary May of Butterfly LLC is a therapist who talks about approaching a loved one struggling with mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.

KYW’s Justin Udo speaks with Dr. Jayme Banks, Director of Trauma-Informed School Practices, on how The Philadelphia School District handles suicide prevention with their students amid the pandemic.

KYW’s Shara Dae Howard highlights the Attic Youth Center and its work being a haven for the LGBTQ community and fighting against the uptick of suicides in LGBTQ youth.

KYW’s Jay Scott Smith sits with Marvin Toliver, Therapist at Radical Therapy Center, to discuss the issue of toxic masculinity within the upbringing of Black men and the impact it has on the generations of Black men expressing their emotions and their wellness.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is Trapeta Mayson, Philadelphia’s Poet Laurette, who started the 1-855-PoemRx2 hope hotline for those in need of a positive affirmation and word.

Flashpoint: Black doctors fight against myths and vaccine hesitancy Sep 19, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint is highlighting Black doctors and their efforts to continue to fight against COVID by spreading awareness of the vaccine.

KYW’s Jay Scott Smith is rejoined by Dr. Jennifer Caudle on her efforts in dispelling false and misleading information through her web series based on COVID-19.

The newsmaker of the week is Dr. Monique Gray is a cancer surgeon, who has been on the frontline of community outreach since the pandemic has progressed through communities of color.

The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights trailblazing Philadanco founder Joan Myers Brown as she is setting the stage for her retirement.

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