Kensington: One Neighborhood, Two Worlds
The dynamic neighborhood of Kensington is evolving in several ways. On one hand, the community is facing one of the worst drug crisis in the country. Meanwhile, housing developers are beginning to change the neighborhood, bringing in new members along with them. In this video, hear from two Kensington residents and Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez, […]
Kensington: As Two Friends Grow Up, One Does So In Front Of The Camera And One Behind It
Chris Riebow is an 18-year-old recent high school graduate, born and raised in Kensington. He has been a freelance photographer since the age of 14. Now, four years later, he has turned his hobby into a job he enjoys: working as a personal photographer for one of his closest friends, professional boxer Branden Pizarro. The […]
Nicetown: Activists Continue To Fight Against SEPTA’s Gas Plant
For the past three years, environmental groups from across the city have actively opposed the construction of a new SEPTA gas plant (pictured above) planned for North Philadelphia. They have protested outside the Mayor Jim Kenney’s office and outside Councilwoman Cindy Bass’ office, gathered signatures for a petition sent to the mayor and taken legal […]
Brewerytown: New Business Owners Plan Space For Parents And Children
Coming soon to Brewerytown is a gathering space Eden Coffey and Jess Jones (above) would have loved to have when they were new mothers. In early 2019, co-owners Coffey and Jones will open up Kith + Kin, a multipurpose space that will host events for children as well as place for parents to connect with […]
Brewerytown: Community Comes Out For Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Families and business owners braved drizzle and mild temperatures on Sunday, Dec. 2, for Brewerytown’s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Girard Avenue Dream Garden, located between 31st Street and Girard Avenue. The event was hosted by the Fairmount CDC and Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association (BSCCA) as well as Kith + Kin, a new […]
Kensington: Local Boxer Shares Gift With Community
With years of boxing experience under his belt, 18-year-old Branden Pizarro is making a name for himself as the youngest professional boxer in Pennsylvania. He’s been featured on Showtime’s ShoBox: The New Generation and now has his own space for him and others to train, The Gift Boxing Gym. In this video, Pizarro and his family […]
Hunting Park and Fairhill: Community Leaders Combat Opioid Epidemic With Their Own Hands
Community members in Hunting Park and Fairhill are no longer waiting for the city to resolve the dire opioid epidemic and its residual effects that impact the health and safety of their neighborhoods. Leaders are learning how to reverse opioid and heroin overdoses, picking up needles and drug containers from playgrounds and schoolyards, and having […]
North Philadelphia: Promoting Literacy To Parents And Children In Unlikely Places
A shave, a haircut … and a good book? A North Philadelphia barber shop is part of a program to help increase literacy and help strengthen the community. Jasmond Schoolfield, better known as “Jazz the Barber,” owns Creative Image Unisex Hair Salon at 2737 W. Cecil B. Moore Ave. Putting down his hair cutting tools, he takes […]
Kensington: Galaei Philly Empowers The Lives Of Latino LGBT Youth
Right across the street from Norris Square Park, at 149 West Susquehenna Ave., sits a small but powerful organization dedicated to helping residents in Philadelphia’s LGBT community. Galaei Philly provides health services such as HIV testing, counseling and sexual health education with a special focus on those of Latin origin. The organization’s mission is to […]
Hunting Park: Esperanza’s Gabriella Gabriel Paez Uses Trees To Connect Community
On the blacktop next to McClure Elementary School, Gabriella Gabriel Paez (above) stood in front of what looked like a forest-in-the-making — rows of short and sparse baby trees in planters. She gave them out, free of charge, to families as they left parent-teacher conference night at the school. Gabriel Paez organized the yard tree […]