Bridging Philly

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A boy and his medical support dog | Remembering The Dixie Hummingbirds Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

Kelson Williams is a regular 12-year-old - he loves Marvel and playing outside with his friends - but he’s living with cerebral palsy. He has a medical support dog, Gus, but insurance wouldn’t cover the $15,000 for Gus’s training. So Kelson and his family turned to Help Hope Live, a nonprofit that helps fundraise for medical costs, and they raised so much that they are now working toward a stretch goal to get Kelson a new wheelchair. Racquel Williams talks with Kelson, his mother Stephanie, and Melanie Johnson, Client Services Coordinator at Help Hope Live.

Then, on Shara in the City, we talk with a music legend - Rev. Joe Williams, the last living member of the gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. Shara Dae Howard visits him in North Philly to hear about how he got to sing with the group that he admired for years.

The Italian Market’s multicultural roots | North Philly History Festival Aug 09, 2025

Show notes

South Philly’s 9th Street Market may be known as the Italian Market, but the vendors there aren’t just Italian. Immigrants have come from many countries for 100 years and found opportunity and community in the neighborhood. Racquel Williams visited the market and talked with Michelle Angela Ortiz, who created Our Market Project to share the stories of the people who make the market what it is through art and a walking tour.

Then on Shara in the City, Scribe Video Center put on the first North Philadelphia History Festival this July, showcasing films and multimedia exhibits that celebrate the neighborhood and the impacts of the African American and Puerto Rican communities. Shara Dae Howard went to the festival to see what it’s all about.

Training teachers and inspiring students | Tasty treats from Sweet Nina’s Aug 02, 2025

Show notes

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is taking on the teacher shortage and summer learning loss at the same time. Their summer and weekend programs give middle schoolers the opportunity to go beyond their classroom learning in a way that’s fun and engaging, led by college students training to become teachers. Racquel Williams talks with Michelle Palmer, the Executive Director of Breakthrough’s Philadelphia chapter; Najah Spruill, a former student who went on to train and then teach with Breakthrough; and Marissa Tice, a single mom of two children in the program.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re treating ourselves to a little something sweet at Reading Terminal Market. Shara Dae Howard visits Sweet Nina’s to learn about the local business and taste their wide array of banana pudding flavors.

00:00 Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia

22:05 Shara in the City: Sweet Nina's

Spreading love with lasagna | Exploring Philly’s trees Jul 26, 2025

Show notes

When you’re going through a difficult time, sometimes a simple act of kindness can mean everything. Lasagna Love is building a movement based on that kindness, where volunteers make and deliver lasagna for neighbors in need. Racquel Williams talks with their Executive Director, Andria Larson, and the Volunteer State Director for Pennsylvania, Jazmyne Walker.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re learning all about the trees and plants around Philadelphia. Shara Dae Howard takes a walk with a local arborist to find out what’s in bloom.

ICE and the immigration process | Blobfest Jul 19, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration has ramped up deportation efforts, saying they want to stop criminals from coming into our country illegally, but many people who are trying to go through the legal process of immigration and have no criminal history have found themselves detained by ICE, even when they’re following every rule. To get a better understanding of the legal process, the barriers, and whether or not a legal status actually means protection, Racquel Williams talks with Blanca Pacheco and Peter Pedemonti, co-directors of New Sanctuary Movement, and Sarah Paoletti, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Transnational Legal Clinic.

Then, on Shara in the City, it’s all about “The Blob”. Shara Dae Howard attends Blobfest, the annual celebration in Phoenixville that commemorates the 1958 sci-fi horror flick and the scene that was filmed at The Colonial Theatre.

Lewy body dementia | The history of the Ohio House Jul 12, 2025

Show notes

Lewy body dementia affects over a million people in the United States, but many people don’t know much about it. It’s difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed. A new documentary called “Facing the Wind” shines a light on Lewy body dementia, both living with it and caring for someone who has the disease. Racquel Williams talks with Philadelphia filmmaker Tony Heriza and Linda Szypula, who lives in Plymouth Meeting and whose journey caring for her husband is featured in the film.

Scribe Video Center is hosting a screening of “Facing the Wind” on September 18.

Listen to Linda’s podcast, “Lewy Body Roller Coaster”, here.

Then, on Shara in the City, we visit one of Fairmount Park’s oldest buildings - the Ohio House, which dates back to the centennial World’s Fair in 1876. Shara Dae Howard takes a tour and learns about the building’s deep history.

Best of Bridging Philly: Mentors for children | The historic Colonial Theatre Jul 05, 2025

Show notes

When children are facing obstacles such as poverty and gun violence, they need consistent, ongoing support from a source they trust. ⁠Friends of the Children⁠ pairs kids starting at age 4 with paid, professional mentors - or "Friends" - who stay with them for 12+ years. The organization recently opened a Philadelphia branch, partnering with two elementary schools and a community center. Racquel Williams talks with the Philadelphia Executive Director, Dr. Betty Handy.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re heading to Phoenixville, PA to learn about one of the last theaters of its kind - the ⁠Colonial Theatre⁠. Shara Dae Howard gets a tour of the venue that was built in 1902 and still screens films and hosts live events. Plus, we hear about its ties to one of the most classic horror films of the 20th century, which they’re about to celebrate with Blobfest, July 11-13.

This episode was originally released on March 8, 2025.

Planning America’s 250th birthday bash | A new speakeasy in Northern Liberties Jun 28, 2025

Show notes

As Philadelphia prepares for the 4th of July, the city is also looking ahead to 2026, when our city will be at the center of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations. Racquel Williams talks with the city’s 2026 Director, Michael Newmuis, about the festivities that will be going on all year and what goes into planning them.

Then, on Shara in the City, a new speakeasy hidden behind a soda machine is the talk of the town. Shara Dae Howard visits the new Northern Liberties hot spot for Japanese fusion food and cocktails, Newsroom Philly.

Trans advocates on their experiences with gender-affirming care Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

The United States Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning some gender-affirming care for minors, and 26 other states have passed similar laws. Here in Philadelphia, Penn Medicine recently announced that they will no longer provide gender-affirming surgeries for people under 19. To get a better understanding of why some people want or need these procedures, Racquel Williams listens to personal experiences from Jasper Liem, Executive Director of The Attic Youth Center; mothasistah, an Attic staff member and parent of a transman; Naiymah Sanchez, a trans woman who works for the ACLU of PA; and Dr. Avra Laarakker, Gender Affirming/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon with Jefferson Pride Care at Jefferson Einstein Hospital.

Juneteenth at the African American Museum | Hometown hero Quinta Brunson Jun 14, 2025

Show notes

Juneteenth celebrates the day the last enslaved people in America found out they were free. Today, people of all cultures celebrate across the country on June 19th, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia especially does it big. Host Racquel Williams talks with the museum’s staff about the musical performances, exhibits, and more that you can see at their Juneteenth block party.

Then, on Shara in the City, a beloved Philly star comes back to town. Quinta Brunson, creator of “Abbott Elementary”, recently received a key to the city and revealed a mural at the school that inspired the show: her alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School. Shara Dae Howard went to the ceremony and talked with Quinta about how it feels to be back home after such huge success.

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