Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Kerri Park Lennon, Executive Director, and Alan Rubens, President and Board Chair, discussed the 2026 Walk of Fame and Philadelphia Music Month, recognizing The Original Music City. Alan talked about the rich history of Philadelphia, with multiple sounds that cover each decade and the walk which honors them, from artists to producers, musicians and writers. Kerri discussed today’s music scene in Philadelphia, vibrant, diverse and a driver of the city’s nighttime and creative economies. We talked about the Alliance’s role in connecting the music industry and its commitment to the next generation of music makers – they don’t have to leave Philly to find their career. She described the student outreach programming the Alliance produces and supports to inform them of the opportunities beyond the lead in business, graphics, business and legal advisors.

We talked about the upcoming inductees to the Class of 2026 for the Walk of Fame, it includes Yannick Nézet-Séguin, The Philadelphia Boys Choir, Hugh Panaro, Adam Blackstone, Lady B, Sun Ra Arkestra, Louise Williams Bishop and Pablo Batista. A Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented to Earl Young, founder and leader of The Trammps. They will be honored on May 13 with a sidewalk unveiling at 11:30AM and an evening gala dinner and performance at the Kimmel Center. The morning event is free and open to the public, tickets for the evening festivities can be found HERE 

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From the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Ronni Blaisdell, Director of Mission Strategy and Stefanie Taylor, Senior Manager for programs and community engagement discussed World Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day and the need to talk more about women’s reproductive health.

We discussed Ovarian cancer, a cancer that begins in the cells of the ovaries, the fallopian tubes or the peritoneum, and its symptoms, varying and often mis-diagnosed. We spoke of the importance of knowing your family history – both sides – and listening to and advocating for your body as there is no test or screening available for ovarian cancer.   

Ronni and Stefanie talked about the NOCC mission, to support survivors and caregivers from diagnosis through treatment with advice, referrals, grants and peer interaction, and to fund research to advance treatment and find a cure. 

For more information go to OVARIAN.ORG  

NOCC also offers a hotline at 888-OVARIAN

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Tony Sorrentino, CEO of the Fairmount Park Conservancy, discussed Philadelphia’ s great park system and the role his agency plays in maintaining it. He gave the history of Fairmount Parks and the city’s bold move to own the properties along the Schuylkill River to promote the health and well-being of the neighborhoods, continuing the plan of William Penn when he first designed the city. He notes that we are all within 10 minutes of green space and the parks offer boating, birding, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and even salsa dancing.   

He explained the ways they are celebrating Earth Month including launching a major tree planting initiative which will add 845 trees to the canopy, reducing heat, improving quality of life and increasing property values. We moved on to the May Love Your Park week – May 9 – 17 – which is already accepting volunteers to help clean and maintain the parks and the river.  

He reviewed the many opportunities offered by the parks, from birding and planting to the 6 week FIFA fan fest at Lemon Hill,  all listed at MyPhillyPark.org. 

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Co-Creators Meg Saligman and Lizzie Kripke talk about The Ministry Of Awe, Philadelphia’s new immersive art experience. Founded in an historic 6-story bank building in Old City, MOA has opened a bank where the currency is the human spirit. They invite you to consider what is valuable to you as you walk through works by famed muralist Saligman and over 100 Philadelphia-based artists, performers, makers and designers working in every media. MOA ‘Bank’ staff help you through your journey with theatrical input from the Pig Iron Theater, there’s no map, no set script and no two experiences are the same.. We discussed the formation of MOA through years of workshops and conversations with artists, the banking concept and the final installation that covers every floor. We talked about the technology that drives the experience yet doesn’t intrude, how it facilitates visitor interaction with the exhibits and with each other. They describe it as ever-evolving, promising shifting installations and performances. MOA is designed for all ages, for more information and timed tickets visit MOAPhilly.com 

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April is National Volunteer Month and Matt Bertram, Vice President of Volunteer Services at the American Red Cross, discussed volunteerism, who is stepping up and why. We began with a picture of the ARC which relies on a workforce that is almost 80% volunteer, he described the roles that volunteers fill. From on-site for disaster relief to signing in blood donors he promises a place for anyone who would like to get involved. We talked about who is volunteering, an ARC study reveals that it is Gen X who make up nearly a quarter of their volunteers, he notes they want to see real impact from their time and the ARC is coming up with ways to make it easier, more flexible, and more personalized with measurable results for their service. We can all get involved, any skill level is welcome, and he points out that coming out to donate blood is itself an act of volunteerism.  Learn more at REDCROSS.ORG

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From Autism Delaware, Director of Development Dan Getman, Development Manager Kris Grant and Marketing and Communications Manager Kenzie Walsh discussed the programs and services offered by Autism Delaware, from infancy through adulthood, including education, social and job opportunities.

We discussed their annual Walk for Autism April 18 at Dover Motor Speedway. Registration is now open for the 10AM ‘quiet’ walk and the 1pm walk with music. Teams, individuals, volunteers and donors can learn more at AutismDelaware.org

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Matthew Koveal, Executive Director of the Philly Pops, discussed their storied history and their rebirth three years ago. He described the issues that almost shut them down and the determination of a core group of performers who kept it going as the No-Name Pops. Today, they have a new Music Director, Chris Dragon, and the return of their name, free and in perpetuity, thanks to the estate of former leader Peter Nero. 

We discussed their repertoire, Broadway, Jazz, Folk and Soul, plus the hits of current popular performers, played by a team of 60 rotating professional musicians, the best in the business.

Mr Koveal shared the plans for their annual free Independence Hall concert on July 3, their guest performer will be Broadway’s Idina Menzel and he promises numbers from Frozen and Wicked will be included that night.

The new season will be announced this spring, to follow them and learn more go to phillypops.org    

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Michael DeBene, Executive Director of Welcome America, Inc., a public-private partnership with the City of Philadelphia charged with enhancing the resident and visitor experience 's 4th of July celebration. Starting on Junteenth, this year's celebration will include six nights of fireworks, a 10,000 member parade on July 3, free hoagie day, concert events throughout the city and the Liberty Medal presentation to Pope Leo. We spoke about how the annual festival - always free and family friendly - will tie into the other big events coming this summer including FIFA and the MLB All-Star Game. Get complete details at July4thPhilly.com

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Richard Lee Snow, Regional Development Director of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Kyra Williams, a scholarship recipient, doctoral candidate and founder of the non-profit Stories in My Backyard, discussed the fund which supports students and HBCUs through endowments and scholarships. We talked about the advantages of HBCU for students, their low cost and their welcoming and supportive student life. We also discussed the upcoming 14th Annual Mayor's Masked Ball that will honor The Roots, and the Saquon Barkley Foundation and others and raise funds for the programs.

For more information go to uncf.org/PhiladelphiaMMB, to learn more about the fund or to apply visit uncf.org.

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Kathryn Ott Lovell, Ex Director of Philadelphia Visitors Center, Director of Philadelphia 250 and the Women’s Committee for the 250, discussed 2026 plans for the city.

The Visitors Center welcomes visitors to our city through four – and 10+ in 2026 – visitor centers with information about restaurants, attractions, museums and events. Look for them throughout the city and now in the Gayborhood with an LGBTQ center. ‘Phambassador’ volunteers will man the centers and represent the city at events through the year. Over 9,000 have now volunteered to serve. She discussed city’s summer of FIFA, Welcome America and the All-Star Game their plans to share the economic boon with the neighborhoods through the ‘ABCs’, ‘Activate’ the commercial corridors, bring ‘Beautification programs for benches, trees and park renovations, and finally share ‘Celebrations’ with support for neighborhood events and tours of them.  We talked about the Women’s Committee and their projects for 2026, the restoration of Belmont Mansion and creation of an Abolition and Underground Railroad Museum and a women’s business program through WORC with transformative money awards and mentoring. We ended with info on the TKS Booth for discounted tickets, city hall tours, Rocky 50th anniversary celebrations and the return of the bus Phlash and the calendar of events at their website.

To learn more about all of the vents and programs go to phlvisitorscenter.com

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