Bridging Philly

Everyone makes mistakes, especially in their youth. If a mistake lands you in prison or convicted of a crime, it can haunt you for the rest of your life - but many people are fighting to turn their lives around after a conviction. As a returning citizen, Shuja Moore started a nonprofit called Do Moore Good to help others on the reentry path and to encourage youth to achieve their full potential. He recently made a documentary called “Pardon Me” about the process and significance of getting pardoned. Host Racquel Williams talks with Shuja and two women who have been through the pardon process to reclaim their names and build better lives.

You can find help getting a pardon and other legal resources through Community Legal Services.

Then, on Shara in the City, Black Dragon Takeout in West Philly has been getting a ton of buzz for its fusion of soul food with the aesthetics of Chinese takeout. Shara Dae Howard stops by to hear how this idea formed, and to decide if their wings live up to the hype.

President Trump has been using executive orders to roll back DEI efforts federally, but those three letters are easily misunderstood. Host Racquel Williams talks with two experts in the field: Stefanie Christmas, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Inizio, and Keva White, President/CEO of VIP Community Services and co-host of the Race to Social Justice podcast. They discuss what DEI programs actually do, why diversity in the workplace is important, how the term has gotten such negative connotations, and their advice for how businesses should think about these executive orders.

And then on Shara in the City, let’s get cooking! The Junior League of Philadelphia has rolled out their annual cooking program that educates youth on food insecurity and has them whipping up some fancy recipes. Shara Dae Howard dons her chef hat for the day with Kids in the Kitchen.

Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, but Pennsylvania legislators and advocates are fighting to improve maternal health outcomes. Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17, and host Racquel Williams speaks with three women who are helping to organize events, raise awareness, and bring change to our health care system: State Representative Gina Curry, Co-Chair of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus; Jenné Johns, President of Once Upon A Preemie; and Saleemah McNeil, Founder of Oshun Family Center.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re highlighting Jazz Month in the Philadelphia region. Shara Dae Howard talks with a local jazz expert about some of the great musical history in our area and where the best performances will be this month. Original music by V. Shayne Frederick.

In an extremely divisive era of politics, is it possible to reconcile with family members whom you disagree with, and whose beliefs you might even feel are dangerous? Gabriel Jason Dean wrote a play, “RIFT, OR WHITE LIES”, based on his experience with his brother, who joined a white supremacist gang in prison. He joins us along with Philadelphia native Frank Meeink, author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead", who is giving a talkback at the show. They both speak with Racquel Williams about what draws people to white supremacist groups and what it takes to leave.

See “RIFT, OR WHITE LIES” presented by InterAct Theatre Company now through April 27.

Then, on Shara in the City, we get to know Philly’s thriving dodgeball community. Shara Dae Howard is rolling up her sleeves and getting on the court to see what all the hype is about.

When someone is a victim of a crime or loses a loved one to violence, they need support - and many organizations in Philadelphia are ready to help. Racquel Williams talks with Melany Nelson, Executive Director of Northwest Victim Services, and Rev. G. Lamar Stewart Sr., Senior Pastor at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, about the services they offer - from therapy to food security - and how they and other groups are coming together to honor National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12. We also hear from two women who lost children to gun violence and found healing through these groups.

Then, we close out Women’s History Month on Shara in the City with a spotlight on two local women-owned businesses that received a helping hand from their communities after their social media posts went viral. Shara Dae Howard visits Chubby Chicks Cafe and Pure Green Philly.

Each year, Philadelphia schools struggle to fill around 2,000 vacancies, and fewer people are pursuing teaching as a career. How do we incentivize more people to become teachers and solve this crisis? Elevate 215 and around 30 other organizations came together to form the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition to study that question. Executive Director Dr. Stacy Holland joins Racquel Williams to talk about what Philadelphia schools need to thrive, plus how federal cuts to the Department of Education could trickle down locally.

If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, you can learn what opportunities are available at teachphl.org.

Then, on Shara in the City, we’re walking the red carpet as Racquel joins Shara Dae Howard for the UNCF annual Philadelphia Mayor’s Masked Ball - the organization’s signature fundraiser to help support students through college, and one of the biggest, most glamorous parties in Philly.

When COVID-19 became a global pandemic five years ago, Dr. Ala Stanford stepped up to help Philadelphians get access to information, testing, care, and later, vaccines. She founded the Black Doctors Consortium, and after her work gained national media attention, then-President Biden appointed her Regional Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Last summer, Dr. Stanford published a book, “Take Care of Them Like My Own”. It’s about her personal journey, her work, and the importance of equity and representation in medicine. She talks about all of that with our host, Racquel Williams.

This interview originally aired July 27, 2024.

Then, on a new Shara in the City, we’re talking to family and friends of Philly’s real life Rocky Balboa, Joe Frazier. Shara Dae Howard heads out to North Philly, where Frazier’s gym is sitting in disrepair on Broad Street and the community is fighting to save it.

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 just 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.

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 get a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of the Philadelphia Flower Show, as Shara Dae Howard steps in as a volunteer.

Britt James Carpenter is a five-time overdose survivor. After being incarcerated, he found his way to recovery and decided to turn his negative experiences into a source for good. He joins Racquel Williams to talk about his non-profit, Philly Unknown Project, which provides resources to the formerly incarcerated, people experiencing homelessness, and those with substance abuse disorder.

Then, on Shara in the City, the founder of The Colored Girls Museum, Vashti Dubois, takes us through one of the most talked about art exhibitions for Black History Month for one last look before its closing. Shara Dae Howard explores “The Time is Always Now” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.