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PODCAST

Bridging Philly

From KYW Newsradio 103.9 FM in Philadelphia, Bridging Philly connects our communities to the issues that matter to you. Host Racquel Williams examines the most critical issues facing underserved communities in the Philadelphia region, with insight from experts and regular people making a difference. And KYW reporter Shara Dae Howard explores Philadelphia"s hidden gems on Shara in the City. Produced by Sabrina Boyd-Surka. Presented by Gift of Life Donor Program. Listen live on KYW Newsradio Saturdays

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All Episodes

41:10

How to get kids to love reading | Horseback riding...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/09/06

Philadelphia has a literacy crisis - only a third of third grade students are reading at grade level. But access to books and activities that create positive experiences with reading can help. Book Trust is a national nonprofit that helps students choose books to own and provides teachers with engaging materials. Racquel Williams talks with their staff and their teacher of the year, Cheryl Daniels, a first-grade teacher at Philadelphia’s James R. Ludlow Elementary School.Then, on Shara in the

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39:05

Celebrating Arab language and culture | Environmental...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/08/30

The Arab community in Philadelphia is a mix of people from many countries, all with vibrant art, music, and culture to share. Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture serves as a hub for anyone who wants to learn about Arabic language and creative expression. Racquel Williams talks with several members of the Al-Bustan team about their mission and experiences as Arab people in America today.Then, on Shara in the City, The Water Shed is a new community space centered around art, education and the environment

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36:44

The lives of pre-Civil War Black Philadelphians |...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/08/23

What kinds of jobs were 19th century Black Philadelphians doing? What did they value? These kinds of questions are at the heart of a new collaboration between The Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College and 1838 Black Metropolis, studying census data from 1838 and 1847 to learn what life was like for the city’s Black residents and how it changed over that decade. Racquel Williams talks with several researchers behind the project.Then, on Shara in the City, we visit Project HOME to learn

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39:34

A boy and his medical support dog | Remembering The...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/08/16

Kelson Williams is a regular 12-year-old - he loves Marvel and playing outside with his friends - but he’s living with cerebral palsy. He has a medical support dog, Gus, but insurance wouldn’t cover the $15,000 for Gus’s training. So Kelson and his family turned to Help Hope Live, a nonprofit that helps fundraise for medical costs, and they raised so much that they are now working toward a stretch goal to get Kelson a new wheelchair. Racquel Williams talks with Kelson, his mother Stephanie, and

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45:54

The Italian Market’s multicultural roots | North...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/08/09

South Philly’s 9th Street Market may be known as the Italian Market, but the vendors there aren’t just Italian. Immigrants have come from many countries for 100 years and found opportunity and community in the neighborhood. Racquel Williams visited the market and talked with Michelle Angela Ortiz, who created Our Market Project to share the stories of the people who make the market what it is through art and a walking tour.Then on Shara in the City, Scribe Video Center put on the first North

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38:55

Training teachers and inspiring students | Tasty...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/08/02

Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia is taking on the teacher shortage and summer learning loss at the same time. Their summer and weekend programs give middle schoolers the opportunity to go beyond their classroom learning in a way that’s fun and engaging, led by college students training to become teachers. Racquel Williams talks with Michelle Palmer, the Executive Director of Breakthrough’s Philadelphia chapter; Najah Spruill, a former student who went on to train and then teach with

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39:43

Spreading love with lasagna | Exploring Philly’s trees

Bridging Philly ·

2025/07/26

When you’re going through a difficult time, sometimes a simple act of kindness can mean everything. Lasagna Love is building a movement based on that kindness, where volunteers make and deliver lasagna for neighbors in need. Racquel Williams talks with their Executive Director, Andria Larson, and the Volunteer State Director for Pennsylvania, Jazmyne Walker.Then, on Shara in the City, we’re learning all about the trees and plants around Philadelphia. Shara Dae Howard takes a walk with a local

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47:20

ICE and the immigration process | Blobfest

Bridging Philly ·

2025/07/19

The Trump administration has ramped up deportation efforts, saying they want to stop criminals from coming into our country illegally, but many people who are trying to go through the legal process of immigration and have no criminal history have found themselves detained by ICE, even when they’re following every rule. To get a better understanding of the legal process, the barriers, and whether or not a legal status actually means protection, Racquel Williams talks with Blanca Pacheco and Peter

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44:56

Lewy body dementia | The history of the Ohio House

Bridging Philly ·

2025/07/12

Lewy body dementia affects over a million people in the United States, but many people don’t know much about it. It’s difficult to diagnose and often misdiagnosed. A new documentary called “Facing the Wind” shines a light on Lewy body dementia, both living with it and caring for someone who has the disease. Racquel Williams talks with Philadelphia filmmaker Tony Heriza and Linda Szypula, who lives in Plymouth Meeting and whose journey caring for her husband is featured in the film.Scribe Video

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38:17

Best of Bridging Philly: Mentors for children | The...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/07/05

When children are facing obstacles such as poverty and gun violence, they need consistent, ongoing support from a source they trust. ⁠Friends of the Children⁠ pairs kids starting at age 4 with paid, professional mentors - or "Friends" - who stay with them for 12+ years. The organization recently opened a Philadelphia branch, partnering with two elementary schools and a community center. Racquel Williams talks with the Philadelphia Executive Director, Dr. Betty Handy.Then, on Shara in the City,

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39:53

Planning America’s 250th birthday bash | A new...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/06/28

As Philadelphia prepares for the 4th of July, the city is also looking ahead to 2026, when our city will be at the center of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations. Racquel Williams talks with the city’s 2026 Director, Michael Newmuis, about the festivities that will be going on all year and what goes into planning them.Then, on Shara in the City, a new speakeasy hidden behind a soda machine is the talk of the town. Shara Dae Howard visits the new Northern Liberties hot spot for Japanese fusion

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43:08

Trans advocates on their experiences with...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/06/21

The United States Supreme Court upheld a Tennessee law banning some gender-affirming care for minors, and 26 other states have passed similar laws. Here in Philadelphia, Penn Medicine recently announced that they will no longer provide gender-affirming surgeries for people under 19. To get a better understanding of why some people want or need these procedures, Racquel Williams listens to personal experiences from Jasper Liem, Executive Director of The Attic Youth Center; mothasistah, an Attic staff

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30:32

Juneteenth at the African American Museum | Hometown...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/06/14

Juneteenth celebrates the day the last enslaved people in America found out they were free. Today, people of all cultures celebrate across the country on June 19th, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia especially does it big. Host Racquel Williams talks with the museum’s staff about the musical performances, exhibits, and more that you can see at their Juneteenth block party.Then, on Shara in the City, a beloved Philly star comes back to town. Quinta Brunson, creator of “Abbott

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52:54

Black dandies: fashion as resistance | Trolley tour...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/06/07

Some Black men stand out for their sense of style - Sammy Davis Jr., Prince, Colman Domingo. They’re all part of a deep historical culture of Black dandyism, where fashion is rooted in resistance and used to counter stereotypes. This year’s Met Gala theme and an ongoing exhibition titled “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” highlight Black dandyism. Host Racquel Williams talks with two Philly fashion experts about the dandy movement, the runway looks, and some tips for men who want to elevate their

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47:21

Arts funding in crisis | Dancing at any age

Bridging Philly ·

2025/05/31

The Trump administration has been cutting back on the arts, closing federal organizations and cancelling grants that supported local cultural centers across the country. Host Racquel Williams speaks with three arts organizations that are feeling the impacts here in Philadelphia: Esperanza Arts Center, Philadelphia Young Playwrights, and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.Then, on Shara in the City, we put on our dancing shoes at Second Chance Dance Studio, where adults are re-discovering

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43:46

Jewish American Heritage Month | Philadelphia Voices...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/05/24

May is Jewish American Heritage Month - or JAHM - and The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History here in Philadelphia has been at the center of the national efforts to celebrate and educate about Jewish American history and culture. Host Racquel Williams talks with Emily August, The Weitzman’s Director of JAHM, and Dan Tadmor, President and CEO, about how everyone can fight antisemitism and honor Jewish American heritage all year long.Then, on Shara in the City, warm up those vocal

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42:26

Support for minority-owned small businesses |...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/05/17

Women and BIPOC entrepreneurs often struggle to find the capital to get their businesses off the ground and to stay in business, facing various systemic barriers. Finanta is a Philly-based non-profit that supports entrepreneurs with loans, advice, and local connections. Host Racquel Williams speaks with Finanta’s President & CEO, Daniel Betancourt, and a participant in their Affinity Group Lending program, Saundra Gilliard, Founder and CEO of Femininely Free.Then, on Shara in the City, we catch up

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48:10

Best of Bridging Philly: A space for teens in South...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/05/10

Pennsylvania’s funding for after-school care ends when children turn 13, and many parents are concerned about where their teens can go after school and in the summer. Caring People Alliance⁠ runs a teen program and opened a new center last year at their South Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club where teens can go to get a meal, play basketball, make music and art, and have a safe space to talk and learn. We speak with Branon Gilmore, VP of CPA’s Boys & Girls Club Movement, Jewel Felder-James, Director of

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46:06

The silent struggle of infertility | Improving life...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/05/03

One in six women worldwide experience infertility, but it’s a topic we still struggle to talk about. Diona Murray was given a less than a 1% chance of conceiving - but she beat the odds and had a daughter. During her journey, she launched Barren Fruit to help other women experiencing infertility know that they don’t have to go through this alone. Diona joins host Racquel Williams to talk about the grief that comes with fertility challenges and how her faith helped her find hope.Then, on Shara in

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50:44

Doing good after prison | Black + Asian food fusion

Bridging Philly ·

2025/04/26

Everyone makes mistakes, especially in their youth. If a mistake lands you in prison or convicted of a crime, it can haunt you for the rest of your life - but many people are fighting to turn their lives around after a conviction. As a returning citizen, Shuja Moore started a nonprofit called Do Moore Good to help others on the reentry path and to encourage youth to achieve their full potential. He recently made a documentary called “Pardon Me” about the process and significance of getting pardoned

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