Bridging Philly

Latest Episodes:

Flashpoint: Understanding the Generational Wealth Gap and how the pandemic exacerbated inequalities within local Black businesses. Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

This week Flashpoint discusses the Generational wealth gap and what it means for the Black community. Black Business Leadership Coalition President John Childress and CEO and Founder of Beech Companies, Ken Scott, share their perspectives and what stakeholders are doing to bridge this gap.

This week's newsmaker is Register of Wills, Tracey Gordon, is using pop culture to inform locals on estate planning while promoting positive conversations involving wills through her office's new online video series, "The Register Reacts."

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is Crystal Evans, founder of Money Talks, a local non-profit dedicated to promoting urban issues, host financial discussions, provide resources and personal finance tips to Philadelphia youth.

Flashpoint: The drug epidemic surged during the pandemic, especially for Black Philadelphians Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported that 2020 saw the highest deaths by opioid overdose that Philadelphia has experienced since 2017. PDHP noted that in 2020, overdoes death rates among white people dropped by 10%, but increased by 29% among those in communities of color. This week on Flashpoint, we discuss how the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on people of color, and why the surge of deaths were likely made worse by the effects of the pandemic. Clayton Ruley, Prevention Point Philadelphia's Director of Community Engagement and Shannon Ashe, Harm Reduction Worker share their efforts in bringing awareness and help to communities of color.

This week's Newsmaker is Brooke Feldman, a local community organizer and advocate surrounding issues of drug user health, addiction and recovery. After spending years in recovery herself, She is now widely known across Philadelphia as a voice for social justice and an advocate for the improvement of the healthcare system.

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is Moor Ali El of Urban creators, one of several local organizations working with the city to prevent overdoses in communities of color, and on a mission to train community members in harm reduction so they can carry on the mission throughout the neighborhood.

Flashpoint is sponsored by the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Flashpoint: Celebrating Juneteenth, and championing Black fatherhood and mental health Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

This week, Flashpoint discusses Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday. What does this mean for African Americans, and how did 2020’s racial reckoning play a role in Juneteenth's emergence in American society? KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with Vashti Dubois, founder of The Colored Girls Museum in Germantown.

It’s also Father’s Day weekend, and our panel talks about effective tools and strategies to champion Black fatherhood and promote the importance of men and dads taking care of their mental health. Joel Austin, the founder of Daddy University, Chimere Holmes of Be Ye Renewed Counseling, and Ihsan Hines of My Brother’s Keeper Cares share their perspectives and experiences with Black fatherhood.

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is Black Men Heal, a local organization on a mission to provide access to mental health, education, and community resources to men of color, and remove the stigma surrounding Black men and their mental health.

Flashpoint is sponsored by the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Flashpoint: Help wanted: Employers face stark challenges (and opportunities) recruiting workers as pandemic fades Jun 13, 2021

Show notes

Is there a worker shortage? Or do folks just not want to work? This week's Flashpoint host and KYW Newsradio reporter Antionette Lee dives into the speculation as the jobs are coming back, but the workers are hard to find. Andrea Custis, President and CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia and Michael Smi Robinson, Director of Community Outreach and Hiring for Temple University's Lenfest North Philadelphia Workforce Initiative discuss the challenges keeping people out of the workforce and what businesses are doing to get job seekers and employers through the door.

This week's Newsmaker highlights Desiree' LaMarr-Murphy, a West Philadelphia native and lifetime educator. She’s also the founder of Murphy's Giving Markets, a community food pantry that gained national recognition as she fed hundreds of families from her own front porch during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is Abena Timazee of Feng Shui Naturals, who pivoted her business during the pandemic to launch a 'first of its kind' eco-friendly- beauty truck, advocating the need for a more natural lifestyle and the use of natural products.

Flashpoint is sponsored by the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Flashpoint: A national crisis of anti-transgender violence: "I'm not safe anywhere." Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

Violence against the trans community is being called a national crisis. In Pennsylvania, the Human Rights Commission says lawmakers are ignoring bills that would help protect the LGBTQ community. This week, LGBTQ advocate Kendall Stephens describes the reality of the violence and hate facing transgender people of color, and Pennsylvania Director of the Human Rights Campaign Ryan Matthews explains why lawmakers in Harrisburg haven't made progress passing laws to fight violence against trans people.

Flashpoint's newsmaker is Claudia Haddad, a voice of hope in the Philly trans community with the message that it's never too late to be yourself.

And in the Philly Rising changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare, Flashpoint opens the doors of the Valley Youth House, an organization dedicated to assisting kids who are rejected by their families and left with nowhere else to go. Flashpoint is sponsored by the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Flashpoint: Balancing police reform and safety as Philadelphia's gun violence crisis rages May 29, 2021

Show notes

With violent crime surging, an election some thought might be a reckoning turned out as a resounding win for Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner over his primary challenger, former homicide prosecutor Carlos Vega. So what comes next? How does the city balance safety and fairness? And what does DA Krasner make of opponent in the general election?

And with the city on pace for a record number of murders, advocates are asking what the next step is for public safety. Reuben Jones, Executive Director of Frontline Dads and Julio Moran Jr., whose mother was murdered by her ex-husband, talk about the violence crisis in Philadelphia, the violence prevention work being done, and what the outcome of the District Attorney election means for the city.

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is Phyllis Walker, who for decades has been working with her neighbors to improve her neighborhood from block cleanups to community watch programs.

Flashpoint: Bones of MOVE bombing child victims held at Penn Museum-Reaction & Penn’s apology May 09, 2021

Show notes

Host and KYW Newsradio Community Affairs Reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the recent disclosure that Penn Museum held onto bones of child victims of the 1985 MOVE Bombing. Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, who broke the story, and Michael Africa, Jr., of the MOVE organization are guests.

The newsmaker of the week is Penn Museum. Dr. Christopher Woods, the new Director of Penn Museum is guest.

The Patriot Homecare Changemaker of the week is YoungLives West Oak Lane. Club Coordinator Pam Canty discusses efforts.

Flashpoint: An angel vaccinating the most vulnerable, dealing w/trauma & Ramadan challenge May 02, 2021

Show notes

Host and KYW Newsradio Community Affairs Reporter Cherri Gregg chats with nurse practitioner Tarik Kahn. The University of Pennsylvania Ph.D candidate takes left over doses of COVID-19 vaccines known as “angel doses” door to door to the homebound.

The newsmaker of the week is the trauma following videos of police shootings. Sarah-Ashley Andrews, co-host of Black in Therapy podcast discusses.

The Patriot Homecare Changemaker of the week is CAIR Philadelphia. Executive Committee President Mohammed Zubairu is guest.

Flashpoint: Could feds, states or biz sector make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory? Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency Act & serving victims Apr 25, 2021

Show notes

Host and KYW Newsradio Community Affairs Reporter Cherri Gregg takes a deep dive into Philadelphia’s updated plan for tacking gun violence with Erica Atwood, Senior Director, Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice & Public Safety.

The newsmaker of the week is Michael “OG Law” Ta’Bon, about his role in the new Netflix film, “Concrete Cowboy.”

The Patriot Homecare Changemaker of the week is Nightlight Foundation. Executive Director Alex Viele ismguest.

Flashpoint: Could Feds, stated or biz sector make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory, Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency Act & serving victims Apr 18, 2021

Show notes

Host and KYW Newsradio Community Affairs Reporter Cherri Gregg takes a deep dive into whether and how covid19 vaccination could become mandatory. Dr. Robert Field, professor of law and of health management and policy at Drexel University walks us through possible scenarios.

The newsmaker of the week is the Dr. Walter P. Lomax Transparency in Business Act. City Council Majority Leader Councilmember Cherelle Parker is the sponsor of the bill package and discusses what it seeks to accomplish.

The Patriot Homecare Changemaker of the week is Melany Nelson, executive director of Northwest Victims Services.