Episodes
-
Peer2You gun violence intervention team has lived through the systemic inequity it aims to help young people navigate
As Philadelphia’s gun violence crisis continues to affect young people, a group in West Philly has stepped up to the call to serve, with hopes of saving lives.
-
The Elevation Project: Helping formerly incarcerated people find new pathways
As founder and executive director of the Elevation Project, LaTrista Webb has helped thousands of formerly incarcerated people find new pathways in life after time served. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee tells us more about what sparked this career path for her. (Photo credit: Mansfield Media)
-
Philly cyclist helping young girls tread transformative paths through the sport
Cycling gave Ajoa Abrokwa a level of physical activity that also helped balance her emotions. Through her nonprofit, she’s encouraging young women and girls to get into the sport not just for wellness but for the paths it may take them down. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more on Philly Rising.
-
Formerly incarcerated man and the judge who sentenced him collaborate to help at-risk youth
After more than a decade in state prison, Kashif Jones went back into the courtroom to ask for help from the judge who sentenced him. Jones now has his own nonprofit Relentless Community Development dedicated to helping at-risk youth.
-
Legacy of Hope supporting cancer-affected families in Philadelphia-area
Like many Americans, cancer patients struggle to juggle their health and financial hardships. That’s where Legacy of Hope comes in. The organization raises money to move needy Philadelphia families into liveable homes with comfortable arrangements. KYW's Antionette Lee has the story.
-
How Amira Williams became the Delaware Valley’s ‘henna therapist’
Amira Williams started her business Henna with a Twist as a hobby, helping women who had lost their hair due to alopecia or cancer. Now, she does henna all over the body and for any occasion. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.
-
Philly Rising: Change Our Future's Sneaker Ball
Rodney and Erika McLeod’s nonprofit, Change Our Future, is hosting the third annual Sneaker Ball, which raises money, school supplies and kicks for students in the community. They hope to double their fundraising goal this year. (Photo credit: Change Our Future Foundation)
-
Philly Rising: Criticized, celebrated for extravagance, prom send-offs give kids an escape from trauma
Prom “send offs” have become one of the most anticipated events of the year for Philadelphia high schoolers. It’s a time when families and friends turn dreams into reality for their kids. Dedicated moms like Angelia Ayres have put several hundreds of dollars and countless hours into planning the...
-
Philly Rising: Mothers in Charge
Dorothy Johnson-Speight has been working toward gun violence prevention, education and intervention through her organization, Mothers in Charge, for nearly 20 years.
-
Philly Rising : Bringing kids together through 'Work to Ride'
On a nice day, the Chamounix Equestrian Center, home to the Work to Ride program, is filled with kids taking horseback riding lessons, as well as dozens of cats, dogs and a billie goat named Yoda. The one-of-a-kind program in the country gives kids of color a shot at mastering horses on the polo...
-
Philly Rising: Advocating for Black birthing equity through ‘Barren Fruit’
Diona Murray has spent the last four years advocating for equity in birthing experiences like access to reproductive health care and resources for Black women through her nonprofit, Barren Fruit.
-
Philly Rising: Making and sharing sacred space for the fellowship of Ramadan
On Sunday, Salim Weldon will host dozens, including those who went to Mecca with him in 2016, for an iftar meal at the Ubuntu fine art gallery in Germantown where they will break fast at sunset. “...No matter your wealth status, we are all fasting,” he said. “So from the richest to the people…
more -
Philly Rising: Da Smoothie Jawn - educating people one smoothie and conversation at a time
After more than 15 years of working in the health and wellness industry, Ayana Bennett quit her corporate gig to open Da Smoothie Jawn on Girard Avenue. “I want to provide education in a space where people feel comfortable asking questions that they wouldn't feel comfortable anywhere else,” she...
-
Empowering girls of color to disrupt intergenerational poverty
After a long career in the fashion industry, Cheryl Wadlington switched her style to service. She founded the nonprofit Evoluer House in 2004 to empower young girls of color in Philadelphia.
-
Philly Rising: Breaking Bread on Broad
Breaking Bread on Broad started as a summer meal program for students five years ago, but when the pandemic hit, needs began to change and so too did the organization. “We realized that their parents also were impacted in terms of their ability to provide for their families,” said Ellen Poster…
more -
This Philly native is helping women get the tools they need to build their best lives
When Monica Miraglio purchased her first home, it was also the groundbreaking of her career in design and construction. She said she did all the projects in the house on her own. “I started laying tile. I started putting in cabinets,” she said. “I would go back and forth to Lowe's or Home Depot,...
-
Philly native unwraps Toni Morrison’s creative process in new Princeton exhibit
Autumn Womack is an assistant professor of English and African American studies at Princeton University. The Philadelphia native is also a Central High school alumnus, and the scholar’s latest project is turning pages across the country.
-
Philly Rising: The Cado Experience helps uplift Black business owners, artists
“It’s called the Cado Experience,” said Deborah Charmelus, creator of the Cado Experience. “It’s a day-long Black creative market that brings together more than 50 Black vendors in one space for a chance to exchange goods, ideas and culture.”
-
Philly Rising: Felicia Harris-Williams of Gynger Tea House
Felicia Harris-Williams has blended her passion for tea, holistic healing and wellness into the perfect brew. The mother of three, and volunteer for the Philadelphia Commission for Women, started Gynger Tea House in 2015 after a major health scare that required open heart surgery. She uses her...
-
Philly Rising: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is a teacher-turned-best-selling author. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee talked with Thompkins-Bigelow about her journey.
-
Philly Rising: Dr. Guthrie P. Ramsey
Dr. Guthrie P. Ramsey goes by many titles. He’s an author, musician, composer, and a retired professor of musicology. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee talked with Ramsey about how he is fostering the arts in Germantown.
-
Philly Rising: ‘I just started cleaning up’ — SW Philly business owner beautifies more than just neighborhoods
Hakeem Devore is your everyday guy. He’s the father of a 6-year-old, a business owner, South Philly-born-and-raised, and a concerned community member who saw a need.
-
Anti-violence nonprofit honored at White House, doubles impact of annual holiday giveaway
It’s been a big year for community activist Ryan Harris. The founder of the nonprofit As I Plant This Seed has helped put Philly’s needs on the map through his gun violence prevention efforts. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more on Philly Rising.
-
Philly Rising: The joy of giving with a humbled heart
Nikki Bagby, founder of the Philadelphia nonprofits A Humbled Heart and The International People’s Storehouse, is setting an intention to make sure certain groups of people are not forgotten this season.
-
Philly Rising: Moms helping moms
Caring for each other is the ethic that runs through the group Philly Moms Helping Moms, which Sharita Jones founded in 2015. Sharita Jones understands the importance of sisterhood. At a young age, she experienced a tragedy.
-
Philly Rising: David Evans picks up civic engagement slack with 'Local Politics First' Instagram
A question about road safety in his own neighborhood led this Philadelphia father, realtor and youth basketball coach on a quest to decode the "confusing and overwhelming" inner workings of the city. The result is the public resource Instagram "Local Politics First," which lends some transparency...
-
8-year-old DJ brings his beats to the ballot box
Eight-year-old Gideon Ansah, who goes by the stage name “Star Jr.,” braved the cold for several hours, bringing beats to the ballot box at a West Philly polling location. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee shares his story on Philly Rising
-
8-year-old Leukemia survivor has a message for the Phillies: Never give up
Addie Auth and her mom Bernadette know a thing or two about overcoming the odds. At age 4, Addie was diagnosed with T cell lymphoblastic leukemia.
-
Philly Rising: Souper Mom
During the pandemic, Maureen Carreno of Delaware County became known as "Souper Mummum," sharing her soup recipes on Facebook and doing weekly soup drive-bys. The deliveries have ended, but the giving hasn’t. Carreno has been using her passion and talent for cooking to help families fleeing abuse...
-
Philly Rising: Something Different
At a gift shop called Something Different by Eric, the goal isn’t making a profit; it’s creating a community.
-
Philly Rising: YEAH Philly
YEAH Philly (Youth Empowerment Advancement Hangout) is one organization out in front of the fight against gun violence in Philadelphia. Executive Director Kendra Van De Water says YEAH Philly takes aim at the root causes of the issue from several directions at once, including food giveaways,...
-
Philly Rising: Perfectly Flawless Foundation
Crystal Jackson is the founder of the Perfectly Flawless Foundation, a Philadelphia nonprofit that clothes people in transition. Jackson began her journey in community service by opening up her own clothing boutique in Germantown. But she says she always knew she wanted to parlay her business…
more -
Muslims Serve offers free meals to Philadelphia’s hungry, no questions asked
Abdellah Abdul Qawi is tackling food insecurity in Philadelphia and Camden as director of Muslims Serve, an organization that prepares and serves free meals to those in need. KYW Newsradio's Sabrina Boyd-Surka reports.
-
Philly Rising: Latinx nonprofit Esperanza builds 'community of opportunity' with hope, promise
For decades, nonprofit Esperanza has been dedicated to uplifting Philadelphia’s diverse Latinx communities. And now is a time when that kind of lifting up is needed, with Hispanic Heritage Month running through Oct. 15, and Puerto Rico, once again, rebuilding after a devastating hurricane.
-
Philly forensic science nonprofit opens doors for women, people of color
When Antionette Campbell started her career in forensic science — and even earlier, while studying chemistry at Temple — she didn’t find many people like her in the field. So she did something about it. KYW Newsradio's Sabrina Boyd-Surka reports.
-
Philly Rising: One man’s mission to feed people helped serve an entire community and beat back addiction
September is National Recovery Month. Darnell Hinton is on a mission all year long to help people in every stage of recovery from addiction. He runs a nonprofit called Teach One Feed One.
-
Philly Rising: Philadelphia Family Pride builds community for LGBTQ+ parents and kids
Philadelphia Family Pride focuses on building a community for LGBTQ+ parents and kids of all ages. It also offers support in challenging times, particularly during the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade. The nonprofit has received calls every day since the ruling. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee...
-
Philly Rising: How Father’s Day Rally Committee advocates for and celebrates Black fatherhood in Philadelphia
The Father’s Day Rally Committee has prioritized supporting and celebrating Black fatherhood in Philadelphia for decades. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee describes the organization's mission and actions, and what they're doing for Father's Day.
-
Philly Rising: Building a queer-friendly community of bird-watchers
Bird-watching has become a popular hobby during the pandemic. The activity requires little gear, and since it’s outdoors, it’s COVID-safe. That’s part of what led Elise Greenberg to start a group called Philly Queer Birders a year ago. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee shares more on Philly Rising.
-
Philly Rising: Mentor leaders produce mentor leaders
Vincent Garrett didn't have a father, growing up. His experiences as a young man drove him to create his nonprofit, Mentor Leaders Produce Mentor Leaders, to do what he can to give young men today what he did not have then.
-
Philly Rising: After 30 years, a nun retires — sort of — from the ministry she helped create
Sister Ann Provost, a pillar of her North Philadelphia community, is retiring as executive director of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries after 30 years of service to her neighbors. But what will she do now? "Well, we don't really ever actually retire. So I will be doing something. I just haven't…
more -
Tech nonprofit fosters a pipeline of STEM equity to careers in engineering
Joel Wilson is hacking the diversity issues in STEM fields by creating a pipeline to success. His nonprofit, TechCore2, teaches coding, robotics and other programs to students from kindergarten all the way through high school. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.
-
Philly Rising: Delco judge helps Penn Wood High School group expand student mentorship
As a Delaware County District Judge, W. Keith Williams II can sometimes meet young people in the wrong place – inside the courtroom. "It's been my experience that, unfortunately, sometimes kids just don't have proper direction," he says. Through his volunteer work and the organization Men on...
-
Philly Rising: Wilmington woman fighting Black maternal mortality
Shane Darby experienced homelessness during her first pregnancy and didn’t have a lot of support. Now, she’s building that support system for others. She founded Black Mothers in Power to address the Black maternal mortality crisis in Delaware. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.
-
Philly Rising: Temple alum Adjoa B. Asamoah champions CROWN Act, racial equity
Born to activist and organizer parents, it’s no surprise that Adjoa B. Asamoah's path has led her to become a political strategist and a champion of the CROWN Act, which legally bans race-based hair discrimination.
-
Philly Rising: Actor, activist Leo Abelo Perry is part of a 'Dozen,' but 1 of a kind
Leo Abelo Perry is only 9 years old, but he's already made his big break. The Doylestown native stars in the new Disney remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen," and uses his platform to make change in the world.
-
Philly Rising: 'Teacher Robi' empowers their students to be their authentic selves
Nairobi Colon is a nonbinary art teacher at KIPP Whittier Middle School in Camden. One day, Colon realized they were tired of being called "miss," so they asked students to refer to them simply as "Teacher Robi," with pronouns they/them. The kids immediately embraced the name. KYW Newsradio's...
-
Philly Rising: Carol Wong, empowering communities through education
Nearly 3 decades ago, Carol Wong noticed a need in the Chinatown community. That's when she founded the Chinatown Learning Center.
-
Philly Rising: Writer, activist Lorene Cary preserves history through storytelling
West Philly native Lorene Cary goes by a number of titles — she's a bestselling author, a playwright, a mother, and a senior lecturer at University of Pennsylvania. Not just during Women's History Month in March, but nearly 365 days out of the year, she uses her craft to preserve stories,...
-
Twin doctors from Strawberry Mansion mending the racial gaps in health care
Delana Wardlaw and Elana McDonald are two of a kind: They’re identical twin sisters who are both physicians in Philadelphia. Growing up in Strawberry Mansion, their community inspired them to help build access to quality, equitable health care and education for underserved Black and brown...
Topics in this show
About this show
From KYW Newsradio, these are the stories that highlight our region's grit and grace - ordinary people of Greater Philadelphia becoming difference makers.
Hosted by
Audacy
Categories