I welcomed four inspiring guests from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Calling All Girl Bosses initiative—a free, yearlong leadership program helping girls in grades 6–12 become confident changemakers in their communities. Joining us are two remarkable Girl Scouts: Jasmine Wielgoszinski from Northeast Philly and Kinsley Jackson from West Philadelphia. They’ll share how their Gold Award projects are making an impact—from advocating for farm animal therapy to leading mural tours rooted in Black history. With them are their biggest supporters—moms and volunteers Adrienne Wielgoszinski and Lillian Jackson. 📍 Learn more or register: gsep.org/girlbosses
📲 Follow on Instagram: @girlbossesphl

🎧 What’s Going On – Changing the Narrative on Gun Violence + Wilmington Heart Walk Spotlight

This week on What’s Going On, we speak with Sammy Caiola, Co-Director of the Association of Gun Violence Reporters, and Eric Marsh Sr., Director of Operations at the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. They discuss the urgent need for trauma-informed journalism and community-centered storytelling in reshaping the national conversation on gun violence. We also preview the National Gun Violence Prevention Reporting Certification Conference, happening October 1–3. To learn more, visit:
🔗 www.agvr.org
🔗 www.pcgvr.org
🔗 www.survivorconnection.org
📸 Instagram: @gunviolencereporters
📘 Facebook: Association of Gun Violence Reporters    

Then, we’re joined by Dr. Kirk Noel Garratt, Medical Director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Health at ChristianaCare and former president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. A nationally recognized leader in interventional cardiology, Dr. Garratt shares his insights on prevention, education, and equity in cardiovascular care—and invites listeners to the 2025 Wilmington Heart Walk, happening Sunday, September 7 at Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park.
Event Details: 🗓 Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
📍 Location: Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington, DE
🕗 8:00 AM: Event Opens | 🚶 9:30 AM: Walk Begins
🔗 Register: heart.org/wilmingtonwalkSocial Media: 📱 Instagram & X: @American_Heart
📘 Facebook: @AmericanHeart
🧠 Hashtag: #WilmingtonHeartWalk #HeartWalkDE #CPRSavesLives

In this episode of Insight, we’re highlighting three powerful community events making a difference in our region. First, we spotlight the Nicetown CDC Giveback Festival, an annual North Philly tradition filled with music, resources, and empowerment. Guests Majeedah Rashid, COO of Nicetown CDC, Zakariyya Abdur Rahman, President & CEO, and Tammy Boney, Production Manager and host, share how the festival promotes safety, wellness, and unity.
🔗 Learn more: www.nicetowncdc.org
📱 Social: Facebook, Instagram, X — @NicetownCDC  

Next, we preview the 5th Anniversary of Hip Hop in the Park, organized by graffiti legend Chris "TAMEARTZ" Rodriguez. Join the celebration of Hip Hop’s four elements—Art, Dance, Rap, and DJ/MC—with mural painting, breakdance battles, and more.
📅 Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 🕛 12–9:30 PM
📍 Eakins Oval, Philadelphia, PA
🔗 RSVP: rabble.io event page
📱 Instagram: @tameartz | Facebook: TAMEARTZ  

Finally, we’re joined by Dr. Kirk Noel Garratt, Medical Director of the Center for Heart and Vascular Health at ChristianaCare and former president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. A nationally recognized leader in interventional cardiology, Dr. Garratt shares his insights on prevention, education, and equity in cardiovascular care—and invites listeners to the 2025 Wilmington Heart Walk, happening Sunday, September 7 at Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park. 
Event Details: 🗓 Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
📍 Location: Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington, DE
🕗 8:00 AM: Event Opens | 🚶 9:30 AM: Walk Begins
🔗 Register: heart.org/wilmingtonwalk
Social Media: 📱 Instagram & X: @American_Heart
📘 Facebook: @AmericanHeart
🧠 Hashtag: #WilmingtonHeartWalk #HeartWalkDE #CPRSavesLives

n this episode, host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks with award-winning author Jason Mott, whose latest novel People Like Us delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the power of story. Mott, a National Book Award winner, shares his creative process, his thoughts on representation in literature, and what continues to inspire his work. 📚 Join Jason Mott in Philadelphia!
He’ll be appearing on Tuesday, August 6 at 6 PM at Barnes & Noble in Center City to celebrate People Like Us.
🔗 RSVP Here
 📱 Follow Jason Mott:
🌐 Website: jasonmottauthor.com
📘 Facebook: Facebook.com/JasonMottAuthor
🐦 X (Twitter): X.com/JasonMott Also featured is Trinia Jones, After School Leader at the Free Library of Philadelphia and Youth Services Assistant at the Narberth Community Library. She joins Vanesse for her monthly segment, What is Philadelphia Reading?, highlighting what’s trending with young readers across the city.

Today’s episode is packed with powerful voices and community-driven stories—from educational planning and youth leadership to rising music talent.   First, we’re joined by Colonel Oz Hill, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the School District of Philadelphia. With decades of leadership experience and a deep commitment to community engagement, Colonel Hill shares how the District is inviting families, students, and staff to help shape the future of school buildings through Phase Eight of its Facilities Planning Process. Community input will guide decisions to modernize, co-locate, repurpose—or even reimagine—school spaces for Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods. 📍 Learn more: philasd.org/fpp
📘 Facebook: @PhillySchools
🐦 X (Twitter): @PHLschools
📸 Instagram: @philly_schools  

Next, we’re thrilled to welcome four inspiring guests from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Calling All Girl Bosses initiative—a free, yearlong leadership program helping girls in grades 6–12 become confident changemakers in their communities. Joining us are two remarkable Girl Scouts: Jasmine Wielgoszinski from Northeast Philly and Kinsley Jackson from West Philadelphia. They’ll share how their Gold Award projects are making an impact—from advocating for farm animal therapy to leading mural tours rooted in Black history. With them are their biggest supporters—moms and volunteers Adrienne Wielgoszinski and Lillian Jackson. 📍 Learn more or register: gsep.org/girlbosses
📲 Follow on Instagram: @girlbossesphl 

🎧 Finally, enjoy a bonus segment from our WorkReady Summer Intern Amaya Manigault, who sits down with rising Philly music artist Jeffery Scott. Known for his raw, soulful sound, Jeffrey opens up about his latest project Trace of Where I Left You—a deeply emotional journey through love, healing, and growth.
 📲 Follow Jeffrey on Instagram: @jeff3ry.scott

Don’t miss this inspiring episode filled with stories of leadership, legacy, and local impact.

In this episode, we’re highlighting three powerful voices working at the intersection of opportunity, advocacy, and artistry.

🎧 Omar Nelson, Executive Director of the Samuel Staten, Sr. Pre-Apprenticeship Program (SSSPAP), shares his journey from social services to leading one of the region’s most impactful workforce development initiatives. With over 20 years of experience in case management and workforce programming, Omar is helping underserved communities in Philadelphia access hands-on training and real pathways into the construction trades.
🌐 Website: ssspap.org
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 215-971-2960

🎧 We also hear from Dr. Hakim A. Stovall, a Philadelphia native and leading expert in public health, criminal justice, and violence prevention. With a background that spans corrections, academic research, and community engagement, Dr. Stovall brings deep insight into building safer, healthier neighborhoods. Currently serving with the Baltimore City Health Department, he focuses on youth wellness and community safety, especially in communities most impacted by violence. 📲 Instagram: @doctorhak06
🔗 LinkedIn: Dr. Hakim A. Stovall —

🎧 And finally, a special feature from our WorkReady Summer Intern Amaya Manigault, who sat down with rising musical artist Jeffery Scott. Known for his raw, soulful sound, Jeffrey opens up about his latest project Trace of Where I Left You—a reflective, emotional journey through love, healing, and growth. 📲 Instagram: @jeff3ry.scott — Follow and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the community.

Let us know which segment moved you most! #WorkforceDevelopment #ViolencePrevention #YouthVoices #PhillyStrong #MusicThatHeals #PodcastCommunity

Today we’re joined by Colonel Oz Hill, Deputy Superintendent of Operations for the School District of Philadelphia. With decades of leadership experience and a deep commitment to community engagement,. This summer, the District is hosting community engagement sessions as part of Phase Eight of its comprehensive Facilities Planning Process. These sessions give families, students, and school staff a chance to help shape how the District uses its buildings—whether by modernizing, co-locating, or reimagining school spaces to better serve Philadelphia’s diverse neighborhoods.
To learn more and stay up to date, visit philasd.org/fpp and follow the District on social media:
📘 Facebook: @PhillySchools
🐦 X (Twitter): @PHLschools
📸 Instagram: @philly_schools

But before  we dive in, a special shout-out to former State Representative and WDAS air personality Louise Williams Bishop. She was recently honored at a surprise birthday celebration at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As always, she shared some words of wisdom during this heartfelt event.

Creating Inclusive Spaces for Individuals with Autism
Fostering equity and accessibility means creating environments where everyone feels welcome. At Comcast, this mission has come to life through the development of a sensory-friendly room—designed to support individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. Christina Wong, Comcast’s Executive Director and Producer of Experiential Content, joins us in studio to share how this initiative was developed in collaboration with partners like the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), The Arc of Philadelphia, and Southpaw Enterprises. Learn more: Comcast Center Campus Accessibility.

Navigating Senior Living with Confidence
Planning for senior living can feel overwhelming, but it’s a vital step toward a secure and fulfilling future. Brian Kersey, Marketing & Sales Director at Foulkeways at Gwynedd—a premier continuing care retirement community rooted in Quaker values—joins us to discuss the importance of life planning, the benefits of senior living communities, and how to make informed decisions for yourself or your loved ones. Discover more: www.foulkeways.org.

Rethinking Food Insecurity: Hunger in Unexpected Places
When you think of food insecurity, Philadelphia often comes to mind—it’s the big city with the highest poverty rate. But hunger exists in places you might not expect, including communities like Narberth and Lower Merion. In this episode, we revisit an insightful conversation with Ben Hearn, Board President of the Narberth Community Food Bank, to discuss the challenges of food insecurity in suburban areas and how the organization is making a difference.
Learn more: narberthcommunityfoodbank.org
Follow them: Instagram: @narberth_food_bank | Facebook: Narberth Community Food Bank

On this episode of Insight, we’re highlighting powerful leaders, creative changemakers, and events that are building stronger, healthier communities. We begin with Tanya T. Morris, visionary entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, and Founder/CEO of Mom Your Business. Tanya is on a mission to empower Black and Brown women entrepreneurs through access to capital, coaching, and community. Her innovative pitch competitions are opening doors and building generational wealth. We recap the Future Forward: Garden Party Pitch Competition, a stunning celebration of style, innovation, and economic empowerment held June 8 at the historic Belmont Mansion. Plus, we look ahead to the next big event happening August 13 in Camden, NJ.
🔗 Learn more: momyourbusiness.com
📲 Instagram: @momyourbusiness
📘 Facebook & 💼 LinkedIn: Mom Your Business  

Next, we talk with two remarkable cultural leaders — Poet Trapeta B. Mayson and Philadelphia’s Chief Cultural Officer Valerie Gay — about Healing Verse Germantown: The Streets Are Talking. This public art initiative invites Germantown residents to share original poems through the Healing Verse Germantown Poetry Line, using poetry to process grief and build community in response to gun violence. Supported by Creative Philadelphia and Bloomberg Philanthropies, this project offers a platform for hope, healing, and connection — one phone call at a time.
🔗 Learn more or submit your poem: healingversegermantown.com
📲 Instagram: @healingversegermantown  

 And finally, I had the pleasure of speaking with Philadelphia hip-hop legend and activist Freeway about the upcoming Free Fest — happening Saturday, August 2nd at the Navy Yard. Hosted by Freedom Thinkers Inc. in partnership with City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, this free community celebration features food, health resources, family activities, and live performances — culminating in the unforgettable Freeway & Friends Showcase.
🔗 Learn more: phillyfreefest.org
📲 Instagram: @Phillyfreefest

I speak to Rev. Herb Lusk III  about a day of purpose, remembrance, and community impact at the 7th Annual Herb Lusk Golf Classic for Children, taking place Monday, July 28, 2025, at the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale. Hosted by Rev. Lusk III in loving memory of his father, Rev. Herb Lusk II—the former Philadelphia Eagle and visionary faith leader—this event brings together civic leaders, athletes, and supporters to champion youth empowerment through education, faith, and legacy. Proceeds will benefit the Frederick Douglass Christian School in Chester, PA, continuing Rev. Lusk’s powerful commitment to uplifting future generations.  
 🌐 Website: www.FDCSChester.org
📱 Facebook: facebook.com/FrederickDouglassChristianSchool
📷 Instagram: @FDCSChester