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
151
Philly Organizations Team Up to Fight Food Inse...
Many students in the Philadelphia School District rely on school meals during the school year. With school being out, kids no longer have access to free lunches. This week Bridging Philly tackles food insecurity in Philadelphia.
46 min
152
Roe V. Wade Overturned, What’s Next to Come?
The wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade sparked a lot of reactions and protests across the nation. Kimberly Mutcherson, co-dean and law professor at Rutgers Law School joins KYW’s Racquel Williams to talk about the legal implications of what’s next to come and discuss some privacy rights at risk.
51 min
153
Pride Month is Ending but these Philly LGBTQ Le...
This week on Bridging Philly, KYW’s Racquel Williams, Shara Dae Howard and Antionette Lee first sit down with State Representative for the 181st District and is the first openly LGBTQ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, and co-facilitator a social support group at the William Way LGBT Center called Transway to speak on policies still needed to be placed to protect members of the LGBTQIA+ Community.
58 min
154
Bridging Philly Juneteenth Special
This week on Bridging Philly we honor the history of Juneteenth. We invite Tamara Staley, President of The Philadelphia Juneteenth Family Inc, and Cornelia Swinson, Executive Director of The Johnson House as they both give us a little history lesson on the federal holiday.
55 min
155
Philly CARES Program, Vinyl Tap safe spaces, an...
This week Bridging Philly invites Melany Nelson to highlight and share her new position in the DA’s Office as the director of the Philadelphia CARES Unit, providing immediate crisis response to families impacted by homicide deaths throughout the city of Philadelphia.
46 min
156
Corners to Connection Initiative, the start of ...
This week Bridging Philly invites Pastor G. Lamar Stewart to speak on the rise of gun violence in Philadelphia and how his new initiative, Corners to Connection, works in collaboration with local Philly Pastors and their efforts to speak to the community in most crime-ridden neighborhoods.
60 min
157
Bridging Philly Check-In: Engaging and Coping w...
With the uncertainty of Covid-19, Inflation, baby formula shortage, and the recent tragedies of mass shootings, the nation may feel anxiety, angry, hopeless, powerless, or even desensitized. Bridging Philly held a group discussion this week with local psychologist Dr. Valerie Braunstein of Philly Psychology, LLC. Dr. Braunstein gives tips on coping with loss and grievance and how to talk to your kids about the recent events.
28 min
158
Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Speaks out on...
The Philadelphia Prisons have been at the forefront of the news for the past couple of months. KYW’s Racquel Williams sits with the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Prison Society on their investigation of allegations towards Philadelphia Prisons and how the crisis continues to brew. You will hear from Philadelphia Prison Commissioner Blanche Carney as she addresses those allegations and highlights how the pandemic impacted their operations and staff shortages.
53 min
159
'We have to invest.' Childcare providers fight ...
Childcare providers, mothers, and educators rallied at City Hall for National Day Without Child Care on Monday in an effort to raise awareness of low pay. KYW's Racquel Williams was at this rally speaking to many providers on the issue most childcare providers are facing today. Diane Barber, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Child Care Association joined Bridging Philly to speak on solutions and the importance of Early Childhood Learning.
58 min
160
Bridging Philly's Mother’s Day Special
This weekend we are celebrating Mother’s Day with KYW’s Racquel Williams, Michelle Durham, Carol Mackenzie, and Denise Nakano as they remember their mothers and discuss the ups and downs of motherhood. Family therapist Ann Rosen Spector LCW also joins the discussion in speaking on ways to overcome hardships in parenting and work-life balance.
52 min
161
Kicking off Mental Health Month with Motivation
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and since the pandemic, many people have been keeping stock of what's important in their life. This week Bridging Philly sits with motivational speaker and life coach Joy Morgan of Joy Morgan Motivates as she gives advice and insight on moving past pandemic challenges.
59 min
162
Heart of Camden building places to call home wh...
Hearts of Camden was originally founded by 1984 by Monseigneur Michael J. Doyle, of the Sacred Heart Church, and located in the Waterfront South neighborhood of Camden City. The community based organization is putting their residents first in creating quality housing, safe spaces, arts and culture education.
54 min
163
Local non-profit trains canines in helping thos...
This week Bridging Philly highlights a local non-profit, Tri-State Canine Response Team, and their paws on the ground efforts for those in need.
56 min
164
Black Maternal Health Week: Maternal Equity and...
58 min
165
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Making History
For the first since the Supreme Court’s founding in 1790, a Black woman could sit on the bench. This week on Bridging Philly we highlight Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and her process into the Supreme Court. Former judge Renee Cardwell Hughes joins in the discussion to give her reaction to judge Ketanji Brown Jackson and discuss the struggle of trying to break glass ceilings.
52 min
166
Women's History Month: Behind the Badge - Phila...
As we end Women's History Month, this week's Bridging Philly episode focuses on women working in male dominated industries. We highlight Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and the work she has done in the city and the solutions the Philadelphia Police Department has for the uptick on gun violence and carjackings in the Philadelphia area.
55 min
167
Bridging the gap between Philly's Asian and Bla...
This week Bridging Philly focuses on bridging the gap between the Asian and Black communities in Philadelphia.
55 min
168
Philadelphia's Ukrainian Community is Supportin...
This week Bridging Philly invited Honorary Consul of Ukraine, Iryna Maur, and President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Philadelphia Branch, Eugene Luciw to give their perspective on the conflict in Ukraine. Hear how you can connect with the Philadelphia Ukrainian community and help in aiding families in Ukraine.
58 min
169
How to keep the conversation on Black history g...
Black History Month honors the history makers who made a difference in this country and in the community, but what happens when the month is over. This week Bridging Philly speaks with Executive Director of Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Chad Dion Lassiter, he shares his expertise with civil rights, diversity, and inclusion as well as how to keep the conversation on Black history going.
57 min
170
$1.3 Million grant awarded to Temple University...
This week Bridging Philly is closing out Black History Month by highlighting Temple University's effort to unravel systemic oppression through advocacy, education, and scholarship. Assistant Professor, Civil Rights Attorney, and now led Director of the Anti-Racism Research Center, Timothy Welbeck, speaks on some of the toughest topics of racism and some solutions the research center is working to change in the community.
59 min
171
Atlantic City is back to host the 2022 NAACP Na...
This week Bridging Philly discussed The NAACP annual Convention with Atlantic City NAACP Chapter President Kaleem Shabazz. Shabazz shares how this year's convention is going to focus and cater to the youth, issues within law enforcement, and Black businesses.
59 min
172
Visit Philly Initiative invites local prominent...
This week Bridging Philly holds a group discussion focusing on the rich history of the National Panhellenic Council of Philadelphia inviting Visit Philly's chief innovation and global diversity officer, Rachel Ferguson to discuss their Black History Month initiative highlighting prominent members of the Black organizations and some of their favorite places in Philadelphia.
59 min
173
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program commemorating Natio...
With the National Black HIV/AIDs Awareness Day coming February 7th, this week KYW's Racquel Williams sits with the Health Resource and Services Administrations, Dr. Laura Cheever on their efforts to raise awareness on HIV/ AIDs and the stigma impacting the community of colors.
56 min
174
Bridging communities through art while survivin...
This week Bridging Philly focuses on Philly's small art organizations relying on relief funds to survive while catering to their communities.
48 min
175
Local organizations continue the fight for huma...
January is Human Trafficking Awareness month this week. Bridging Philly highlights two local organizations working to combat sex trafficking in Philadelphia and supporting women and children who experienced and overcame sexual exploitation.
59 min