Flashpoint

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyin

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more a

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 care

This week on Bridging Philly we honor the history of Juneteenth. We invite Tamara Staley, President of The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc, and Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of The Johnson House as they both give us a little history lesson on the federal holiday. Our Newsmaker of the week is Nikki Powerhouse, an LGBTQ community Philly poet and author of color who advocates for POC through her plays. Hear about her recent break out play I AM. Our Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Bilal Qaayum as he speaks on his work in the community honoring Father's Day and Juneteenth. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Bridging Philly invites Melany Nelson to highlight and share her new position in the DA’s Office as the director of the Philadelphia CARES Unit, providing immediate crisis response to families impacted by homicide deaths throughout the city of Philadelphia. Our Newsmaker of the week is Duiji Mshinda, founder of Vinyl Tap 215, a DJ production company that is at the forefront of Night Life and major events in the City with a focus on making the industry a safe space for marginalized community members such as POC, LGBTQ and women DJs. The Philly Rising Changemaker recently started last March, as a way to create queer community and learn and explore some of Philly’s feathered friends, hear from Queer Birding. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Bridging Philly invites Pastor G. Lamar Stewart to speak on the rise of gun violence in Philadelphia and how his new initiative, Corners to Connection, works in collaboration with local Philly Pastors and their efforts to speak to the community in most crime-ridden neighborhoods. This month we are highlighting Philly Pride. Philly's PHL Pride March and Festival is part of PHL Pride 50. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Ashley Coleman, who is one of the several organizers of this year's Pride events shares what this month has in store. The Philly Rising Changemaker is Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, a local nonprofit working to develop young boys across the city into prosperous men. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the uncertainty of Covid-19, Inflation, baby formula shortage, and the recent tragedies of mass shootings, the nation may feel anxiety, angry, hopeless, powerless, or even desensitized. Bridging Philly held a group discussion this week with local psychologist Dr. Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology, LLC. Dr. Braunstein gives tips on coping with loss and grievance and how to talk to your kids about the recent events. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Philadelphia Prisons have been at the forefront of the news for the past couple of months. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on their investigation of allegations towards Philadelphia Prisons and how the crisis continues to brew. You will hear from Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney as she addresses those allegations and highlights how the pandemic impacted their operations and staff shortages. The Newsmaker of the week pays tribute to our community moms raising children in the midst of the violence nationally and locally. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard speaks with North Philly mother Yolanda Sydnor on her efforts in keeping her 3 sons out of trouble and her family on track from the struggle. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Myon Butler, whom the Philadelphia School District recently highlighted as the Student of the Month. Earlier this year Butler found himself at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Center, and he's now on his journey to finish

Childcare providers, mothers, and educators rallied at City Hall for National Day Without Child Care on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of low pay. KYW's Racquel Williams was at this rally speaking to many providers on the issue most childcare providers are facing today. Diane Barber, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Child Care Association joined Bridging Philly to speak on solutions and the importance of Early Childhood Learning. The Newsmaker of the week is Jen Devor, President & Co-founder of Better Civics, a nonpartisan civic engagement non-profit, speaks on their released second election toolkit which focuses on educating and empowering local citizens when they vote in the May primary. Our Philly Rising Changemaker is Delaware County Judge Keith Williams II. Judge Williams II is helping to inspire and mentor young boys in the area through an organization called Men on a Mission. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Lear

This weekend we are celebrating Mother’s Day with KYW’s Racquel Williams, Michelle Durham, Carol Mackenzie, and Denise Nakano as they remember their mothers and discuss the ups and downs of motherhood. Family therapist Ann Rosen Spector LCW also joins the discussion in speaking on ways to overcome hardships in parenting and work-life balance. Our newsmaker of the week pays tribute to a local Philly woman with 3 sons from the heart of North Philly. Yolanda Sydnor shares her efforts in keeping her sons out of trouble and keeping her family on track through the struggle. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and since the pandemic, many people have been keeping stock of what's important in their life. This week Bridging Philly sits with motivational speaker and life coach Joy Morgan of Joy Morgan Motivates as she gives advice and insight on moving past pandemic challenges. Our Newsmaker of the week highlights Dr. Esther Castillo and her efforts in launching the Support the Chinese Immigrant Families Wellness Initiative and the continuance of bridging the gap between marginalized communities through education. The Philly Rising Changemaker is a West Philly native, writer, and activist Lorene Cary. Cary uses her craft to preserve stories, especially Black legacies for the next generations. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Bridging Philly highlights a non-profit working to provide resources and support necessary to enable residents to live healthy, prosperous lives in a self-sustaining community. Hearts of Camden was originally founded by 1984 by Monseigneur Michael J. Doyle, of the Sacred Heart Church, and located in the Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden City. The community based organization is putting their residents first in creating quality housing, safe spaces, arts and culture education. Heart of Camden's Board President, Ben Hill and Executive Director, Carlos Morales speak on the importance of the non profit mission, need of more volunteers and future upcoming events. The Newsmaker of the Week has be growing her food pantry into a community center in Upper Darby feeding hundreds of families suffering with food insecurity since the pandemic started. Shara Dae Howard speaks with Desiree Lamar Murphy, founder of Murphy’s Giving Market on how she got started and how it's going post pandemic. Our Philly Risi

This week Bridging Philly highlights a local non-profit, Tri-State Canine Response Team, and their paws on the ground efforts for those in need. CEO and Founder, Janice Campbell joins KYW's Racquel Williams to speak on the benefits of the human and canine bond, the pieces of training the canines go through, and share some of the services requested from other states who faced crises such as the Boulder, Colorado mass shooting. The Newsmaker of the week brings awareness for Autism Acceptance Month. KYW's Shara Dae Howard sits with KYW's Traffic Anchor Sue Schilling and her daughter Jessica, who is non-verbal, as they discuss misconceptions about autism and how the two are making history together later this month. The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Shane Darby of Delaware Co. and her non-profit, Black Mothers in Power, in training more women to be doulas in fighting to end health inequity for Black women's pregnancy.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyin