Bridging Philly

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Restoring marriage - remember the “us” | Turning a bank into an art experience Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

As kids, work, and life get hectic, it’s easy to lose the connection in marriage. Rev. Kahlil Carmichael, senior pastor of Live Well Church in New Jersey, wrote a book called “Restore Us” to help married couples have tough conversations and return to the foundation of their relationship: each other. He talks with Racquel Williams about what often goes wrong in marriages and how to get back to “us”.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit an art experience in development - the Ministry of Awe, opening March 14 inside a renovated 19th century bank. Shara Dae Howard explores the visual, performance, and immersive art coming to Old City.

Building a village to fight food insecurity | The Colored Girls Museum’s 10th anniversary Feb 28, 2026

Show notes

Food insecurity is an ongoing problem, especially with recent changes to SNAP benefits and the economy. Mark Wainwright founded It Takes a Village to Feed One Child in 2017 to provide meals to families in need. They’ve since partnered with many local organizations to expand on the types of holistic enrichment they can offer, from education to financial literacy. Racquel Williams talks with Mark and Dr. Corinne Green, Executive Director of one of their partner organizations, Mighty Writers.

Then, on Shara in the City, Shara Dae Howard returns to The Colored Girls Museum as they celebrate 10 years of honoring Black history and culture in their own unique, theatrical way.

The blueprint for Black history education | Smokin' Joe takes the steps Feb 21, 2026

Show notes

Black educators are navigating classrooms where their presence is shrinking and the history they teach is being challenged. Racquel Williams talks with Sharif El-Mekki, founder and CEO of The Center for Black Educator Development, and Ismael Jimenez, Director of Social Studies Curriculum for the School District of Philadelphia, about the 100-year legacy of Black History Month and the undeniable impact of Black teachers in the classroom. Plus, they tell us about their partnership on the Blackprint 20 summit earlier this month, which opened discussion on best practices for teaching Black history.

Then, on Shara in the City, we're celebrating a victory for the legacy of Philadelphia's own boxing legend Smokin' Joe Frazier, whose statue is officially relocating from South Philly to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Shara Dae Howard talks with a relative of Frazier’s about the grassroots fight to make this happen, plus Frazier’s connection to the late Jesse Jackson.

Building community through tamales | A new mural for a Black female trailblazer Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

The Lighthouse has been a neighborhood hub, hosting programs and events for the North Philly community, since 1893. They pride themselves on bringing people together and showcasing different cultures - which makes them the perfect partner for Cantina La Martina to host their annual La Tamalada festival, celebrating a Mexican tradition centered around tamales. Racquel Williams learns more about the festival, happening on February 15, and what else The Lighthouse has to offer.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit the Greene Street Friends School, where Mural Arts just unveiled a mural honoring abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Shara Dae Howard talks with the artist, community members, and students about what Harper’s legacy means to them.

How PA addresses rising racial tensions | Face to Face builds community in Germantown Feb 07, 2026

Show notes

As we’re seeing ICE activity increased, DEI efforts rolled back, LGBTQ+ protections removed, and historical exhibits about slavery taken down, many are concerned that we are moving backwards in terms of civil rights. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission handles complaints and upholds civil rights laws here in the commonwealth. Racquel Williams speaks with them about what they’re hearing from the community and how they’re trying to bring people together to fight for equal rights for all.

Then, Shara Dae Howard visits Face to Face, a neighborhood community center and safe haven for Germantown individuals and families experiencing poverty. They’ve seen even more need lately with the bitter cold and changes to SNAP benefits. Shara talks with staff, volunteers, and neighbors who say they found a healing community when they walked through the doors.

A home for young women after foster care | Art honoring LGBTQ+ history Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

When young people age out of the foster care system at age 18, they often don’t have a place to go. In South Jersey, young women who can’t afford their own place or college yet, or who just need some support, can go to Unique Sistas Transitional House, recently established by Yolanda Stephenson. Racquel Williams talks with Yolanda and their Housing and Community Development Manager, Tracy Harris, about the challenges these young women face and how Unique Sistas helps.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit the William Way Center's art exhibit, "The Tangle I've Gotten Into", on display at Imperfect Gallery while the center is under renovation. Shara Dae Howard speaks with artist and Philly LGBTQ+ community icon Arleen Olshan, who helped form the foundation of Philly’s LGBTQ+ activism.

Black representation in children’s books | A different art museum experience Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati started the African American Children’s Book Project to inspire young readers and uplift Black authors. Their upcoming book fair on February 7 will feature award-winning authors, book giveaways, and more. Racquel Williams talks with Vanesse and one of the authors being featured at the book fair, Carole Boston Weatherford, about the importance of representation in children’s literature and the Philadelphia history being told in many of these books.

Then, Shara Dae Howard heads to Chestnut Hill’s Woodmere Museum, known for its outdoor opulence in art and architecture. She gets an up-close look at a new addition and finds out why the Woodmere creates an experience that’s unique from Philly’s other art museums.

Talking to kids about breast health | A women’s sports hub coming to Philly Jan 17, 2026

Show notes

Bringing up breast health or even the word “breast” can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Robyn Roth wants to start the conversation early with kids in her book “Everyone Has Boobies”. She’s a radiologist and founder of The Boobie Docs. This week, she joins Racquel Williams to discuss destigmatizing breasts and how she works to get accurate information out to people who are searching for it online.

Then, Shara Dae Howard catches up with the founder of Stoop Pigeon, Philly’s soon-to-come women's sports hub. We hear about their plans and their partnership with Philadelphia Sisters, the organization founded by Alex Niedbalski-Sykes and her wife, comedian Wanda Sykes.

Best of Bridging Philly: Helping families get out of poverty | Project HOME fights homelessness Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

When Harold Barrow’s daughter was born, he was addicted to heroin and living in an abandoned house. ⁠ACHIEVEability⁠ gave them both a place to live and helped Harold get his GED and bachelor’s degree. Now, Harold is working for ACHIEVEability, helping other families in similar circumstances. Harold and ACHIEVEability’s Executive Director Jamila Harris-Morrison join Racquel Williams to talk about the program.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit ⁠Project HOME⁠ to learn about how they are fighting to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Shara Dae Howard meets the founder, Sister Mary Scullion, along with the current CEO, Donna Bullock, and takes a tour of one of their housing units in Fairmount.

The ACHIEVEability interview was originally released on March 1, 2025.

Shara in the City at Project HOME was originally released on August 23, 2025.

The climb for disability mental health | Fishtown’s creative heart Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

According to the CDC, adults with disabilities are three times more likely to report suicidal ideation than those without — a staggering statistic that drives the heart of the new documentary, Meandering Scars. In this episode, filmmaker Alison Norlean shares the story of Erica Bogan, a paraplegic athlete and survivor of domestic violence, who attempts the grueling climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to shine a light on the mental health crisis within the disability community. We dive into the physical and emotional challenges of filming at 19,000 feet, the logistics of a wheelchair ascent, and the profound realization that healing, much like the climb, is rarely a straight path.

Ever wonder where Philly’s creators go to build their big ideas? Shara Dae Howard heads to NextFab’s Fishtown studio to check out their massive inventory of high-tech tools. Whether it's jewelry making, electronics, or woodworking, discover how this collaborative hub is fueling the next generation of Philadelphia creatives.

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