On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron” De’Wayne and Leon are joined by Iliana Dominguez-Franco, the Director of Sustainable Community Initiative at Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) in North Philadelphia. Iliana explains how her roots and growing up in Los Angeles to immigrant parents led her to her current role and community in Philadelphia. Together, De’Wayne, Leon and Iliana explore how strong community organizing against gentrification is not a formula, it is done by building relationships and being on the ground. 

Episode Transcript Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Iliana-Dominguez-Franco.pdf

Iliana Dominguez-Franco is the Director of Sustainable Community Initiatives at Asociacion Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) primarily focusing on the implementation of APM's recent community plans. In this role Iliana also serves to support visions of community leaders and provide enriching experiences for youth and young adults in the neighborhood to learn and grow through a leadership development program, Community Connectors. The intergenerational team works closely with the Director to inform, conceptualize, and implement projects throughout the Eastern North Philadelphia.

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth