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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

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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46:37

The dismantling of DEI | Kids in the Kitchen

Bridging Philly ·

2025/04/19

President Trump has been using executive orders to roll back DEI efforts federally, but those three letters are easily misunderstood. Host Racquel Williams talks with two experts in the field: Stefanie Christmas, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Inizio, and Keva White, President/CEO of VIP Community Services and co-host of the Race to Social Justice podcast. They discuss what DEI programs actually do, why diversity in the workplace is important, how the term has gotten such

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53:32

Black Maternal Health Week | Philly Jazz Month

Bridging Philly ·

2025/04/12

Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, but Pennsylvania legislators and advocates are fighting to improve maternal health outcomes. Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17, and host Racquel Williams speaks with three women who are helping to organize events, raise awareness, and bring change to our health care system: State Representative Gina Curry, Co-Chair of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus; Jenné Johns, President of Once Upon A

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47:52

When white supremacy divides a family | Philly’s...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/04/05

In an extremely divisive era of politics, is it possible to reconcile with family members whom you disagree with, and whose beliefs you might even feel are dangerous? Gabriel Jason Dean wrote a play, “RIFT, OR WHITE LIES”, based on his experience with his brother, who joined a white supremacist gang in prison. He joins us along with Philadelphia native Frank Meeink, author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead", who is giving a talkback at the show. They both speak with Racquel Williams about

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55:16

Advocating for crime victims and families |...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/03/29

When someone is a victim of a crime or loses a loved one to violence, they need support - and many organizations in Philadelphia are ready to help. Racquel Williams talks with Melany Nelson, Executive Director of Northwest Victim Services, and Rev. G. Lamar Stewart Sr., Senior Pastor at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, about the services they offer - from therapy to food security - and how they and other groups are coming together to honor National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12. We also hear

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53:30

Philadelphia’s teacher shortage | The mayor’s masked...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/03/22

Each year, Philadelphia schools struggle to fill around 2,000 vacancies, and fewer people are pursuing teaching as a career. How do we incentivize more people to become teachers and solve this crisis? Elevate 215 and around 30 other organizations came together to form the Philadelphia Citywide Talent Coalition to study that question. Executive Director Dr. Stacy Holland joins Racquel Williams to talk about what Philadelphia schools need to thrive, plus how federal cuts to the Department of Education

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46:26

Best of Bridging Philly: Dr. Ala Stanford looks back...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/03/15

When COVID-19 became a global pandemic five years ago, Dr. Ala Stanford stepped up to help Philadelphians get access to information, testing, care, and later, vaccines. She founded the Black Doctors Consortium, and after her work gained national media attention, then-President Biden appointed her Regional Director of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Last summer, Dr. Stanford published a book, “Take Care of Them Like My Own”. It’s about her personal journey, her work, and the

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38:21

Mentors for Philadelphia children | The historic...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/03/08

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 just 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, we’re

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47:15

Helping families get out of poverty | Volunteering at...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/03/01

When Harold Barrow’s daughter was born, he was addicted to heroin and living in an abandoned house. ACHIEVEability gave them both a place to live and helped Harold get his GED and bachelor’s degree. Now, Harold is working for ACHIEVEability, helping other families in similar circumstances. Harold and ACHIEVEability’s Executive Director Jamila Harris-Morrison join Racquel Williams to talk about the program.Then, on Shara in the City, we get a behind-the-scenes sneak preview of the Philadelphia

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44:11

Giving people a chance after addiction or...

Bridging Philly ·

2025/02/22

Britt James Carpenter is a five-time overdose survivor. After being incarcerated, he found his way to recovery and decided to turn his negative experiences into a source for good. He joins Racquel Williams to talk about his non-profit, Philly Unknown Project, which provides resources to the formerly incarcerated, people experiencing homelessness, and those with substance abuse disorder.Then, on Shara in the City, the founder of The Colored Girls Museum, Vashti Dubois, takes us through one of the

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