Bridging Philly

This week Bridging Philly is closing out Black History Month by highlighting Temple University's effort to unravel systemic oppression through advocacy, education, and scholarship. Assistant Professor, Civil Rights Attorney, and now led Director of the Anti-Racism Research Center, Timothy Welbeck, speaks on some of the toughest topics of racism and some solutions the research center is working to change in the community.

The Bridging Philly Newsmaker of the week is Gwen Ragsdale, curator of the Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery. Ragsdale speaks on the importance of children learning their history, and hear her family's direct connections with Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Massacre.

Our Philly Rising Changemaker highlights two twin doctors making changes in the medical field and the community. TwinSisterDocs, Dr.Delana Wardlaw, and Dr. Elana McDonald on their efforts to serve those in underserved black and brown communities through quality service and education on health, while building a pipeline for diversity in doctors.

This week Bridging Philly discussed The NAACP annual Convention with Atlantic City NAACP Chapter President Kaleem Shabazz. Shabazz shares how this year's convention is going to focus and cater to the youth, issues within law enforcement, and Black businesses.

Our newsmaker of the week is Helen Gym, who joined the Philadelphia City Council in 2016 since then Gym has led a human rights agenda focusing on Philly's youth and as chair of Council's Children and Youth Committee, she has made public schools a priority. Gym speaks about the positive benefits of the new ABC show created by Philly native Quinta B called Abbot Elementary, has in focusing on inner-city school districts and reinforcing teachers in the public schools.

The Philly Rising Changemaker honors Linda Shockley, of the Lawnside Historical Society, and her dedication to preserving and maintaining Black History, such as the historical Peter Mott House in Lawnside.

This week Bridging Philly holds a group discussion focusing on the rich history of the National Panhellenic Council of Philadelphia inviting Visit Philly's chief innovation and global diversity officer, Rachel Ferguson to discuss their Black History Month initiative highlighting prominent members of the Black organizations and some of their favorite places in Philadelphia.

The Newsmaker of the week is Melvin Payne, President of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc efforts in keeping the legacy of the men and women, black and white through conversations, education, and scholarships in honor of the airmen.

The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Dr. Sheena Howard and her new comic "BLAM! Black Lives Always Mattered' which profiles Black leaders in history and will be distributed to Black students throughout Philadelphia.

With the National Black HIV/AIDs Awareness Day coming February 7th, this week KYW's Racquel Williams sits with the Health Resource and Services Administrations, Dr. Laura Cheever on their efforts to raise awareness on HIV/ AIDs and the stigma impacting the community of colors.

The Newsmaker of the week highlights Self Inc's President and COO, Mike Hinson, Jr. Self Inc, is the largest provider for emergency housing services for the homeless in Philadelphia. Mike Hinson Jr, is also an HIV/AIDS educator and civil rights advocate. Hinson shares his work in keeping marginalized communities at the forefront of priorities for policymakers throughout Philadelphia.

The Philly Rising Changemaker caught up with Mykey Cooper, a 16-year-old star in the making, from North Philadelphia with many talents including acting, rapping, entertainer, and named one of the youngest writers for the Jimmy Fallon kid show. 

This week Bridging Philly focuses on Philly's small art organizations relying on relief funds to survive while catering to their communities.

The senior vice president at the Esperanza Arts Center, Bill Rhoads, shares how the local North Philly organization is surviving on relief funds while catering to the Hispanic community in the area and his concerns on ongoing funding for other BIPOC- serving organizations like his own.

The NewsMaker honors Ann Ishi of the Asian Arts Alliance and her efforts to bridge the black, brown, and Asian communities since taking the position of Executive Director. Ishi also shares the organization's new events for this year's Black History Month.

The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights the Testimony Project and their effort to encourage individuals to open up and share their life testaments from mental health to drug addictions to help others learn and grow on their paths.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month this week. Bridging Philly highlights two local organizations working to combat sex trafficking in Philadelphia and supporting women and children who experienced and overcame sexual exploitation.

Alea Cummings, a trauma-focused therapist with the Philadelphia Children's Alliance, shares the warning signs of child victims of trafficking and the services involving trauma control her organizations offer for families in need.

You will also hear from Carla Clanagan, the program director of The Well, a community for women recovering from sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and sex trafficking. Clanagan shares the mission of The Well Program and the steps Philadelphia needs to take to prevent human trafficking.

Our Newsmaker of the week is Heather LaRocca, head of the New Day's Anti-trafficking Taskforce for the Salvation Army. She works closely with the Philadelphia Police Department & DA's office, offering intensive, comprehensive mobile case management to survivors engaging with them and supporting them through their healing journey.

The Philly Rising Changemaker is 21-year-old Tyler Riddick, a local entrepreneur who opened her creative studio in Fishtown to give Philly youth a safe place to create.

This week Bridging Philly highlights some helping heroes just in time for Martin Luther King Day.

After the devastating fire killing 12 people including 8 children in the Fairmount community, one organization sprang into action to help support the families involved in the Fairmount fire. Children First Pa's Executive Director joins Bridging Philly to share both how they raised money and provided services to the families, and their inspiration to carry on the bigger fight for health, equity, and opportunity for every child.

Our News Maker highlights Todd Bernstein, founder and director of the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service which will be held virtually at Girard College January 17th. KYW’s Shara Dae Howard spoke with Bernstein about the significance of the event and the impact it is meant to have on the Philadelphia community.

Our Philly Rising Change Maker is Dr. Tawanna Jones-Morrison who is an educator and school psychologist by trade. Her passion for girls' wellness and empowerment led her to start We REIGN, Inc (Rooting, Empowering, Inspiring a Girl's Nation). 

This week Bridging Philly launched its first episode focusing on managing debt, specifically Student Loans.

Last year, U.S. Student Loan Debt totaled 1.6 trillion. The Biden Administration temporarily paused federal student loan payments for another until May 1, 2022. Bridging Philly invites Student Loan Doctor LLC's founder Sonia Lewis, to discuss tips on monthly budgeting and services her company offers to prevent student loan debt, such as affordable repayment plan selections, consolidation, and money management.

Our Bridging Philly Newsmaker, Representative Darisha Parker of the 198th Legislative District, shares her efforts encouraging President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to eliminate student loan debt affecting HBCU graduates.

The Philly Rising Changemaker highlights Ant Brown, an anti-violence activist and local rap artist spreading a positive message to Philly Youth through his program, The ABRO Experience.

Out with the old and in with the new! This week Flashpoint ends the year discussing goal setting and the importance of self-awareness. Local clinician and author Deana Davis joins KYW's Racquel Williams, Antionette Lee, and Shara Dae Howard, giving tips on making realistic, attainable goals and healthily coping with failure. Reiki Master, Tarot Mystic, and founder of Rooted Alchemy Co., Eboni La'Che, join the ladies to discuss healing and give a little insight on what to expect in 2022 through intuitive readings.

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 her mission is to “tell stories we want to see.”

The Philly Rising Changemaker of the week presented by Patriot Homecare is the Chocolate Ballerina Company. Their mission is to illustrate the experiences and successes of African American culture through dance that will inspire change. This month, the community-based dance company took the stage performing Philly's first all-black cast performance of ' The Nutcracker....dipped in Chocolate.'