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 […]
Juniata Park: First-Year Principal Goes The Extra Mile To Help Students Succeed
Emily Mary Trunfio, principal of One Bright Ray Community High School, doesn’t want to just help kids who struggle academically get a high school diploma. She wants to help them achieve success after they leave school as well. The school helps at-risk kids who are behind academically to catch up and get that ever-important diploma. […]
Brewerytown: Residents Adapting Alongside New Developments, Businesses
Brewerytown is an attractive neighborhood to people looking for the cool, new hot spot to live. Its accessibility by public transportation and its proximity to Center City and Fairmount Park have made it an enticing area for developers and new residents. It’s no question that Brewerytown has seen changes in recent years. New apartment buildings […]
Brewerytown: Local Business Owner Embraces Changing Landscape
Max Ochester, owner of Brewerytown Beats at 27th Street and Girard Avenue, moved to Brewerytown in 2010, a few years before it became the “up-and-coming” neighborhood that it is now. In late 2014, Ochester’s developer friends bought a property in Brewerytown and asked if he would like to open a small business in the location. He […]
North Philadelphia: Indego Bike-Sharing Establishing Presence In Low-Income Areas
Indego bike share was established in Philadelphia three years ago with a specific goal of doing something other cities’ bike-sharing services have failed to do: establish a presence in lower-income neighborhoods. At its launch, Indego set up 70 stations across Philadelphia including 20 in low-income neighborhoods. “Philadelphia has probably done more than any other city […]
Franklinville: La Caribeña Bakery Creates a Sense of Home for Immigrant Community
On the corner of 2nd street and Tioga in Franklinville Philadelphia, a family-run bakery called the La Caribeña Bakery served the community fresh, home-style baked goods for over a decade. Alfredo Rodriguez has owned the bakery for 12 years now after he took over for his mother-in-law. La Caribeña was built to serve a huge […]
Comedy: Former Ohio Comics Now Contributing To Local Communities
Dorian Vasquez and Setoiyo Ekpo are both Philadelphia-based comedians by way of Columbus, Ohio. Each giving back to North Philadelphia residents in their own way, they just happen — by coincidence — to be helping people on different ends of the age spectrum. Vasquez is as a career specialist, helping find jobs for graduates at […]
Brewerytown: Stylist Veronica Dunbar Shares Her ‘Fit for a Queen’ Dream
Veronica Dunbar has called Brewerytown home for two years now. Originally from Southwest Philadelphia, she grew up in her father’s barbershop, where he worked for nearly 40 years. Surrounded by hairstylists from a young age, she knew this would be a profession that would not only feel like home, but bring positivity to those she […]
North Philadelphia: Colwin Williams Goes From Prison to Protector of City’s At Risk Youth
Colwin Williams first began getting in trouble in school, fighting in order to appear tough. As he got older, the trouble continued. He got caught up in drugs and by his early 20s, Williams had spent years in and out of county jail for armed robberies — a result, he said, of trying to support […]
Strawberry Mansion: Preschools Are Important, But Underfunded
Amanda Bowman always imagined herself as a mother. When the time came for her to have children, she was presented with two surprises. The first: she would have to raise them as a single parent. The second: she was having twins. Despite the challenges that faced her, she knew she was going to send them […]