Mount Airy: Redevelopment Projects Look to Eliminate Blight, Improve Livelihood of Historic Neighborhood
Dating back to the 1680s, when it was a just small part of Germantown, the neighborhood of Mount Airy has a rich history that has shaped the diverse and tight-knit community that it is today. In 1750, William Allen, a chief justice for the province of Pennsylvania, built an estate at the corner of modern-day […]
Chinatown: Stakeholders Tackle Crucial Development Questions As Neighborhood Grows
The story of Philadelphia’s Chinatown isn’t unique. But the history of this city’s Asian immigrant- and Asian-American home is, for residents, what makes it stand out from other stories of gentrification. Historically, Chinatowns have grown in abandoned urban neighborhoods, unwanted for things other than industrial business. In Philadelphia, this part of town – called Chinatown […]
Activism: Philadelphia’s Wavering Sanctuary City Status
Full of culture and immigrants from around the world, Philadelphia is one of many jurisdictions that serves as a refuge for both documented and undocumented immigrants. In 2017, the United States and much of the world are facing issues in and around immigration based on — but not limited to — concerns of national security […]
Education: A Comprehensive Look At Charters And What They Mean For Philadelphia’s Education
It is 4:20 p.m. and the security line at the school district’s Education Center was beginning to grumble with agitation. A mother clutched a poster-board using it as a fan as she stood in line in the heavy humid air. The small crowd took steps forward almost in unison, rushing to the auditorium hoping to […]
Arts & Entertainment: Budget Cuts To NEA Affect Public Arts Programing In Philadelphia
Celeste DiNucci remembers exactly where she was and what she was doing during the early hours of morning when she and the rest of the public arts world found out that President Donald Trump announced his 2018 fiscal year Budget Blueprint plan, which proposed the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). “I remember […]
Chestnut Hill: Proposed Expansion of Firehouse Remains a Hot Topic
The proposed expansion of the Engine 37 firehouse (above) in Chestnut Hill remains a burning topic in the local community as steps are being taken to allow the 123-year old station to remain functional yet historically accurate. Located at 101 West Highland Ave. in the heart of Philadelphia’s “Garden District,” the Engine 37 firehouse is the […]
Activism: Fighting For Transgender Rights In Philadelphia
During the Obama administration, federal guidelines released called on public schools to allow transgender students to be able to choose the bathroom facility according to their self-professed gender identity. On Feb. 22, 2017, President Trump’s administration notified the U.S. Supreme Court that they would be withdrawing this guidance and felt that this was a focus for state-level governments rather […]
Center City: Philadelphia’s Irish Community Supports Civil Rights
People of Irish descent in Philadelphia have a history dating back to the pre-American Revolution era. According to the Global Philadelphia Association (GPA), Irish Americans make up the largest ethnic group in the Philadelphia area. The 2000 U.S. Census lists the population of people of Irish descent in Philadelphia as more than 206,000. However, this […]
Northwest Philadelphia: Entrepreneur Doing Well By Doing Good for the Community
For Ken Weinstein (above), passion is more than just a cliche, it is the driving factor that has motivated him to become the successful real estate developer, entrepreneur, and benefactor he is today. “Passion isn’t just about making money or going to a job everyday, it’s doing what you love to do,” said Weinstein. […]
North Philadelphia: Malcolm Kenyatta Promotes LGBT Representation in Government
Malcolm Kenyatta grew up in North Philadelphia and graduated from Temple University. He is now the member engagement coordinator for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the youngest member of the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club. He described himself as North Philly’s biggest fan. Kenyatta’s work has reached a higher level of importance and urgency […]