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 and Sundays at 1:30pm & 7:30pm and Sundays at 5:30am.

News Commentary
276
Flashpoint Extra: Exonerated Theophalis Wilson ...
Theophalis "Bilaal" Wilson is celebrating his third day of freedom after serving 28 years behind bars for a triple murder he did not commit. He is the 12th person exonerated by Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner's administration. Flashpoint host ans KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg speaks with Bilaal and his attorney Jennifer Merrigan. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
28 min
277
Flashpoint Encore: Newsmaker LeToya Ramseure & ...
The newsmaker of the week is LeToya Ramseure. In 2018, she made headlines after she was jailed for killing her abusive ex-boyfriend.  She and her attorney, Michael Coard discuss need for reforms in domestic abuse cases.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
24 min
278
Flashpoint: The impact of #METOO on Philly lead...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the impact the #MeToo movement has had on Philadelphia's leadership. Controller Rebecca Rhynhart joins Levone Cannady of the Health Masculinity Initiative at the Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence and MeToo survivor Mae Larimore Johnson. The newsmaker of the week is LeToya Ramseure who made headlines after she was jailed for shooting her abusive ex-boyfriend. She was was acquitted in December. Her attorney, Michael Coard, joins in. Finally, the Patriot Home Care changemaker of the week is PhillyCAM. Executive Director Gretjen Clausing and Len Webb a PhillyCAM radio and tv producer and Vice Chair of the board discuss. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
57 min
279
Flashpoint: The journey to forgiveness, from ad...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the journey to forgiveness. Sister Cathy Nerney, Ph.D., director of the Institute on Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Chestnut Hill College who joins Chad Dion Lassiter, executive director of Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations, Dawan Williams, manager of the Restorative Justice Program at Mural Arts of Philadelphia and Luis Berrios, who was shot in the back outside of his North Philadelphia home and embarked on a forgiveness tour as part of his healing. The newsmaker of the week is Chekesha Ellis, a recovery advocate based in New Jersey. Finally, the Patriot Home Care changemaker of the week is Dr. Kennard Herring, owner of Nostalgic Eyecare. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
56 min
280
Flashpoint Extra: Philadelphia-based Gift of Li...
Gift of Life Donor Program shattered records for the 12 years in a row as it leads the nation in the number of organ donors and organ transplants. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter and Flashpoint host Cherri Gregg speaks to CEO Howard Nathan. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
25 min
281
Flashpoint Extra: #WeAreNotAtRisk
Flashpoint host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg reports a youth led, global campaign to change the narrative around young people has planted roots here in Philadelphia. The effort kicked off this week and will include workshops at schools across the city. Nia Eubanks-Dixon and Sophia Burns of American Friends Service Committee explain. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
20 min
282
Flashpoint: 2020's new faces and reforms, Phill...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the many changes implemented in the Philadelphia region in 2019 and the impact going forward. Pennsylvania Rep Jordan Harris joins Jasmine Sessoms of She Can Win, Philadelphia Councilperson Bill Greenlee and Erika Almiron of Juntos for this discussion.The newsmaker of the week is Kevin Bethel, the new special advisor on public safety for the Philadelphia School District.Finally, the changemaker of the week is hip hop girl trio, The Royal Mix. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
48 min
283
Flashpoint Extra: City of Philadelphia will pay...
The City of Philadelphia will pay out over $4 million to settle civil rights claims brought by a man who spent 24 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit. His wrongful conviction was linked to two rogue detectives. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter and Flashpoint host Cherri Gregg has more. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
10 min
284
Flashpoint: Holiday #digitaldetox, courageous c...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about social media and cell phone addictions. We get tips on how do roll out a digital detox with Stephanie Humphrey, a nationally known technology and life expert and Jordyn Young, a University of Penn Researcher and co-author of the study, "No More FOMO: Decreased Social Media Use Leads to Decreased Loneliness and Depression. The newsmaker of the week is Dr. Argie Allen Wilson, author of "Courageous Conversations Connect: A Pathway to Reset Your Mindset With Intentional Thoughts From the Inside Out."   The Changemaker of the week is Kevin Miller, a retired Marine who coordinates Bucks County Toys for Tots.          See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
48 min
285
Flashpoint:#genderneutralparenting; Philly's Sh...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about gender neutral parenting. What is it? What isn't it? Is it the new way? Rory Cohen, psychologist, life coach and mother of a transgender son joins Joel Austin, founder of Daddy University, Amede Bennett of the Mazzoni Center who presents as non-binary and uses the pro-noun "they," Michelle Gillen-Doobrajh, owner of Tildie's Toybox and Chuck Hardy, father of a 7-year-old girl. The Newsmaker of the week is Sheriff-Elect Rochelle Bilal. The Changemaker of the week is Green Philly. Co-Founder Julie Hinder provides tips for holiday sustainability. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
56 min
286
Flashpoint Encore: Changemaker Of The Week
The Flashpoint Changemaker of the week was Shariea Shoatz, a teacher, public speaker and suvivor of child sex abuse. Her self-published book, "My Voice is My Superpower," is designed to prevent the type of miscommunication that many times is common with young victims.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
10 min
287
Flashpoint: Is organized labor growing? New #ph...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about a recent wave of union organizing. Ioana Marinescu, a UPenn professor of Public Policy joins Evan Kasoff, President of Temple University Graduate Student Association, Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, VP of the Board of POWER and Dean Malik, lawyer and outspoken conservative talk show host in this debate. The newsmaker of the week is Pennsylvania Rep. Martina White, the new chair of the Philly GOP. The Changemaker of the week is Shariea Shoatz, a teacher, public speaker, and author of  "My Voice is My Superpower," a book designed to prevent the type miscommunication that stymies reporting of child sex abuse.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
52 min
288
Flashpoint: #LEROYEVANS' shot at justice, Cheyn...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the case of Leroy Evans. The Chester man has spent nearly 40 years behind bars for the 1980 murder of Emily Leo aka "The Avon Lady."  Attorney Michael Malloy, who represents Evans, joins Alice Evans on the show. The newsmaker of the week is Cheyney University, which received word this week it will keep its accreditation after years of uncertainty.  President Aaron Walton discusses the historic black college's  record turn-around. The Changemaker of the week is the Tynirah Borum Foundation.     See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
29 min
289
Flashpoint: Where do philly's guns come from?, ...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the origins of crime guns in the Philadelphia region.  David Chipman of the Gifford Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence joins George Mosee of PAAN 1989 and Pennsylvania State Representative Movita Johnson Harell who lost her son, father and brother to gun violence. The newsmaker of the week is this marathon week of impeachment proceedings. Franklin and Marshall College political science professor answers questions the process. The Changemaker of the week is the Elizabeth Ross, founder of the Caring Kids Christmas Card Project.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
47 min
290
Flashpoint: Byron Allen vs Comcast; A Philly vi...
Host and KYW Newsradio Community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about Hollywood entertainment mogul Byron Allen's race discrimination suit against Comcast Corporation. David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast addresses Allen's claims publicly for the first time since the Supreme Court arguments. Philadelphia NAACP President Rodney Muhammad and Rutgers Law School Constitutional Law Professor Stacy Hawkins join in this heated debate over the point of law that prompted the court to review the matter. The newsmaker of the week is Lisa Espinosa. The Changemaker of the week is the Donovan Forrest, founder and executive director of DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc.    See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
50 min
291
Flashpoint: PA chooses #marsyslaw, but a lawsui...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the Marsy's Law amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. On Election Day, Pennsylvania voted add the victims bill of rights statute to the state consititution. ACLU of PA legislative director Liz Randol joins Michael Coard, a criminal defense attorney and columnist, Jennifer Storm, victim advocate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and LaQuisha Anthony a suvivor and victim's right advocate for this heated discussion. The newsmaker of the week is Philadelphia City Councilperson elect Kendra Brooks. The Changemaker of the week is the Carlton R. Rouh Veterans Center; Senior Director for Community Relations of Spectra Care Foundation, Kathleen Van Stine is guest.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
47 min
292
Flashpoint Encore: Michael White and Keir Bradf...
It's been just three weeks since a jury acquitted Michael White of all charges except evidence tampering in the 2018 Rittenhouse stabbing death of real estate developer Sean Schellinger. He sat down for an interview for Flashpoint, alongside his lawyer, Keir Bradford-Grey, chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
31 min
293
Flashpoint: The election no one's talking about...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the 2019 General Election. Jasmine Sessoms, founder of She Can Win, joins David Thornburg, President and CEO of Committee of Seventy and Nick Field, a journalist who covers politics and culture. Then the newsmaker of the week is Michael White who is speaking out in his first post-verdict news interview.  He joins his attorney, Keir Bradford-Grey, chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia. The podcast also includes comments from Mark Schellenger, the father of Sean Schellenger. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
57 min
294
Flashpoint Extra: Dr. Yusef Salaam, Exonerated 5
One of the five men wrongfully convicted in the Central Park jogger case was the keynote speaker this week at the Pennsylvania Innocence Project 10th anniversary Celebration. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter and Flashpoint host Cherri Gregg speaks to Dr. Yusef Salaam in a one on one interview.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
8 min
295
Flashpoint Extra: Innocence Project
The Pennsylvania Innocence Project will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year at the National Constitution Center. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter and Flashpoint host Cherri Gregg explains the non-profit has helped 17 wronfdully convicted people find freedom. Howard Scher and Nan Feyler are guests. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
24 min
296
Flashpoint: Maternal mortality rates, Philadanc...
Host and KYW Newsrdio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about Philadelphia's maternal mortality rates and resulting racial disparties.  Samia Bristow, senior director programs for Matnernity Care Coalition joins Jatolla Davis, a midwife and certified nurse with Jefferson Health, Saleemah McNeil, a reproductive therapist and CEO of Oshun Family Center and Janayah Davis, a mother who survived a near death experience during child birth. The newsmaker of the week is Joan Myers Brown, founder of the Philadelphia School of Dance Arts and Philadanco. The changemaker of the week is Tookany/Tacony Watershed Partnership, Inc. Executive Director Julie Slavet is guest.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
45 min
297
Flashpoint Encore: Reform Alliance on probation...
In this Flashpoint Encore podcast, host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg brings back the interview with the newsmaker of the week: Reform Alliance. The organization was born out of rapper Meek Mill's struggles for freedom from kinks in the criminal justice system. Mill, who spent roughly a decade on probation, was sentenced to two to four years in prison for a non-technical probation violation in 2018, sparking a movement. Reform Alliance was created by Mill, Mike Rubin, Jay-Z and others to change the laws that lead to Mill's incarceration. Mill earned his freedom in recent months. Reform CEO Van Jones and Chief Legal Officer Monique Haughton Worrell discuss current efforts to pass probation reform om Pennsylvania. For more, go to reformalliance.com. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
15 min
298
Flashpoint Extra: Benjamin Crump on book "Open ...
Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin Crump who represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice and others will be in Philadelphia October 21st for a chat about his new book, Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter and Flashpoint host Cherri Gregg speaks with him on why he penned the tome. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
18 min
299
Flashpoint Extra: Lonnie Bunch III
Lonnie Bunch III is the newly appointed Secretary of the Smithsonian. But Bunch got the gig after taking on the task of envisioning and then building the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg chats with Bunch re the endeavor and his new book "A Fool's Errand." See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
10 min
300
Flashpoint: Diverse juries matter, reform allia...
Host and KYW Newsradio community affairs reporter Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about diversity of jurors. In recent weeks, juries composed of a majority of people of color have been critical to a number of high profile, racially charged trials across the country.   Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Carolyn Nichols joins civil rights and criminal defense attorney Kevin Mincey and Maida Malone, president of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts in this interesting discussion. The newsmaker of the week is the Reform Alliance. CEO Vann Jones and Chief Legal Officer Monique Haughton Worrell discuss current efforts to pass probation reform in Pennsylvania. For more- go to reformalliance.com. The changemaker of the week is Erin Busch, founder of Young Women's Composer Camp.   See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information.
46 min