Jamal Johnson & the Last Resort
It’s hard to look at the numbers. Nearly 500 people died from guns last year in Philadelphia. Four times that have been shot.
Jamal Johnson, known for his anti-gun violence and police brutality activism, came up with a personal idea to push change in the city.
A hunger strike.
Harriette Robinson & the Good Days
Black pride. Black History. Black Liberation.
These were the values of Harriette and the late Ed Robinson. A couple who had two loves; each other and the history of their people.
The Robinsons spent years fighting to mandate Black History in the Philadelphia School District and authored a Black History text named “The Journey of the Songhai People.”
Listen as Harriette Robinson shares memories of her husband and activism in Philadelphia.
***Aired on G’town Radio for Juneteenth 2021
Supreme Dow & Dody
Before Supreme Divine Dow was known for founding the Black Writers Museum and running for the 198th Pennsylvania State seat, he was known as Dolores “Dody” Dow’s son; a well-known activist in Philadelphia.
Listen as Supreme reflects on his mother’s influence and tells us how the pandemic affected his mother.
Barbara Kigozi & the Great Loss
Last March, we didn’t know how much COVID-19 would change our lives. The CDC had not recommended masks yet, restaurants and bars were open, and kids were in school.
But the virus was beginning to find a foothold in America. Germantown Resident Barbara Kigozi was thrust into the middle of this new reality. Kigozi’s mother was one of the early victims of COVID-19 , and died far away from her children at her England home in early March.
Doriana Diaz & Her First Apartment
Last year, poet Doriana Diaz watched everything she’d been planning on fall apart. Her graduation ceremony from Temple University was cancelled, plans undone. At most, family and friends met her on Zoom or called.
But Diaz had more coming. The loss of a traditional celebration was only the beginning of a journey she didn’t expect.
Morris Rainey & Being Without
People lost jobs, experienced financial insecurity and more during the pandemic. It seemed like we all had enough.
But people like Morris Rainey had a different journey. The past year has been challenging for him because he is experiencing homelessness.
Listen to Morris’ perspective of how Philadelphia is handling homelessness and one thing he holds on to; faith.
NOMAD & Giving Back
When the pandemic began, work stopped for graffiti artist NOMAD. Due to social distancing and studio closures, he found himself practicing his craft at home.
But then something changed. The Germantown artist began gaining traction online for his work. He was selling art left and right. And for someone who tags “Black is Beautiful” throughout the city, the only thing he could think of doing, was paying that magic forward.
Alexia Doumbouya & The Bump
Alexia Doumbouya’s first pregnancy wasn’t great. She experienced anxiety, trauma and postpartum depression.
So when the mother found out she was pregnant with her second child, she decided to try something different. She vowed to find support.
Unfortunately, there was little help. Find out how she became the support she needed.
Vita Litvak & the Garden
On Pastorius Street in Germantown sits a community garden filled with various plant life; from raspberry vines to Brussel sprout stalks. But it wasn’t always like this. The garden used to be an abandoned lot next to the Mennonite Pastorius Apartments.
Learn how this all changed once Vita Litvak moved next door.
Michael Cogbill & Juneteenth
Michael Cogbill noticed something strange on Juneteenth in Philadelphia. It was the Friday most had off due to the federal holiday falling on a weekend. He walked through Center City and saw many enjoying the new holiday, but others were working.
I spoke with Michael outside the old stone Johnson House in Germnantown about his observations and what it means for the journey to Black liberation in America.
Christian Watts & Breaking Generational Curses
Christian Watts pandemic began before 2020 set in. That’s because the young Black woman started to reflect on whether or not she was a good person.
Listen to Watts story about attending therapy to dismantle generational trauma.
Tomarra Sankara-Kilombo & the Spiritual Shift
Last year taught us that seeing family and friends, going to a grocery store, or having a job are not things we can control. Millions lost their routines as the pandemic began. Tomarra Sankara-Kilombo was one of them.
The Germantown resident says she lost the “absolute best job”—but instead of cursing 2020 as the worst year ever, she looked for the good.
Dionne Chambers, the New Neighbors
It was 17 years ago when Dionne Chambers and her husband moved to Germantown. They were in love with the architecture and the quaint, old-fashioned ways of the community. What they didn’t know, was how close they would become with their neighbors.
Hear how Dionne’s first day went in Germantown and what community means.
Nichole Renee Currie 