Flashpoint

The Lighthouse has been a neighborhood hub, hosting programs and events for the North Philly community, since 1893. They pride themselves on bringing people together and showcasing different cultures - which makes them the perfect partner for Cantina La Martina to host their annual La Tamalada festival, celebrating a Mexican tradition centered around tamales. Racquel Williams learns more about the festival, happening on February 15, and what else The Lighthouse has to offer. Then, on Shara in the City, we visit the Greene Street Friends School, where Mural Arts just unveiled a mural honoring abolitionist and suffragist Frances Ellen Watkins Harper. Shara Dae Howard talks with the artist, community members, and students about what Harper’s legacy means to them. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we’re seeing ICE activity increased, DEI efforts rolled back, LGBTQ+ protections removed, and historical exhibits about slavery taken down, many are concerned that we are moving backwards in terms of civil rights. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission handles complaints and upholds civil rights laws here in the commonwealth. Racquel Williams speaks with them about what they’re hearing from the community and how they’re trying to bring people together to fight for equal rights for all. Then, Shara Dae Howard visits Face to Face, a neighborhood community center and safe haven for Germantown individuals and families experiencing poverty. They’ve seen even more need lately with the bitter cold and changes to SNAP benefits. Shara talks with staff, volunteers, and neighbors who say they found a healing community when they walked through the doors. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https:

When young people age out of the foster care system at age 18, they often don’t have a place to go. In South Jersey, young women who can’t afford their own place or college yet, or who just need some support, can go to Unique Sistas Transitional House, recently established by Yolanda Stephenson. Racquel Williams talks with Yolanda and their Housing and Community Development Manager, Tracy Harris, about the challenges these young women face and how Unique Sistas helps. Then, on Shara in the City, we visit the William Way Center's art exhibit, "The Tangle I've Gotten Into", on display at Imperfect Gallery while the center is under renovation. Shara Dae Howard speaks with artist and Philly LGBTQ+ community icon Arleen Olshan, who helped form the foundation of Philly’s LGBTQ+ activism. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati started the African American Children’s Book Project to inspire young readers and uplift Black authors. Their upcoming book fair on February 7 will feature award-winning authors, book giveaways, and more. Racquel Williams talks with Vanesse and one of the authors being featured at the book fair, Carole Boston Weatherford, about the importance of representation in children’s literature and the Philadelphia history being told in many of these books. Then, Shara Dae Howard heads to Chestnut Hill’s Woodmere Museum, known for its outdoor opulence in art and architecture. She gets an up-close look at a new addition and finds out why the Woodmere creates an experience that’s unique from Philly’s other art museums. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bringing up breast health or even the word “breast” can be awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Robyn Roth wants to start the conversation early with kids in her book “Everyone Has Boobies”. She’s a radiologist and founder of The Boobie Docs. This week, she joins Racquel Williams to discuss destigmatizing breasts and how she works to get accurate information out to people who are searching for it online. Then, Shara Dae Howard catches up with the founder of Stoop Pigeon, Philly’s soon-to-come women's sports hub. We hear about their plans and their partnership with Philadelphia Sisters, the organization founded by Alex Niedbalski-Sykes and her wife, comedian Wanda Sykes. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 visit ⁠Project HOME⁠ to learn about how they are fighting to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Shara Dae Howard meets the founder, Sister Mary Scullion, along with the current CEO, Donna Bullock, and takes a tour of one of their housing units in Fairmount. The ACHIEVEability interview was originally released on March 1, 2025. Shara in the City at Project HOME was originally released on August 23, 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https:/

According to the CDC, adults with disabilities are three times more likely to report suicidal ideation than those without — a staggering statistic that drives the heart of the new documentary, Meandering Scars. In this episode, filmmaker Alison Norlean  shares the story of Erica Bogan, a paraplegic athlete and survivor of domestic violence, who attempts the grueling climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to shine a light on the mental health crisis within the disability community. We dive into the physical and emotional challenges of filming at 19,000 feet, the logistics of a wheelchair ascent, and the profound realization that healing, much like the climb, is rarely a straight path. Ever wonder where Philly’s creators go to build their big ideas? Shara Dae Howard heads to NextFab’s Fishtown studio to check out their massive inventory of high-tech tools. Whether it's jewelry making, electronics, or woodworking, discover how this collaborative hub is fueling the next generation of Philadelphia creatives. To learn more

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, we visit one of Fairmount Park’s oldest buildings - the ⁠Ohio House⁠, which dates back to the centennial World’s Fair in 1876. Shara Dae Howard takes a tour and learns about the building’s deep history. The Philly Unknown Project interview was originally released on February 22, 2025.Shara in the City at the Ohio house was originally released on July 12, 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a system where cost often determines survival, the Cherry Hill Free Clinic is a vital safety net. This week, we sit down with founder Dr. Jubril Oyeyemi to discuss the "catastrophic cases"—preventable heart attacks and strokes caused by rationed medication—that inspired him to open the clinic. He explains their unique model, fueled by 99% volunteer staff, which provides free primary care and cardiology to South Jersey’s uninsured, while also launching new initiatives to break down barriers for men’s health. Then, Shara Dae Howard takes us behind the locked doors of the historic, now-shuttered Wanamaker Building. With the merchandise gone, the Grand Court has transformed into a cathedral of sound. We get an exclusive tour with Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte to hear "Baby"—the world's largest fully functional musical instrument—roar to life in the empty department store. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more a

Heart disease and stroke remain urgent health challenges in Philadelphia, with high blood pressure affecting thousands, particularly in underserved communities. This week, we sit down with leaders from the American Heart Association’s Greater Philadelphia chapter to discuss their "relentless force" mission. They explain why high blood pressure is called the "silent killer," the specific risks for women, and how new initiatives like "Team Up to Take Down High Blood Pressure" are working to close the health equity gap. Then, Shara Dae takes a festive trip to Jenkintown for some local holiday shopping. We visit the stylish boutique "Dear Laney" and the sweet spot "Banana Nana Pudding," meeting the inspiring Black female entrepreneurs behind these unique community gems. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Philadelphia faces a shortage of over 64,000 affordable housing units. This week, we sit down with the city’s top housing leaders, Kelvin Jeremiah (PHA) and Dave Thomas (PHDC), to discuss solutions. They break down the "Turn the Key" program, designed to help families build generational wealth by making homeownership attainable even in gentrifying neighborhoods. The duo also discusses the Mayor's "Home Initiative," recent PHA layoffs, and the critical need for federal funding to close the gap. Plus, Shara heads to Germantown for a sneak peek at the Wissahickon Dance Academy’s unique, salsa-infused twist on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 talk with a music legend - Rev. Joe Williams, the last living member of the gospel group The Dixie Hummingbirds. Shara Dae Howard visits him in North Philly to hear about how he got to sing with the group that he admired for years. The Lasagna Love interview was originally released on July 26, 2025. Shara in the City with Rev. Joe Williams was originally released on August 16, 2025. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With roughly 13,000 youth in foster care across Pennsylvania alone, the need for permanent, loving homes is critical. This week, Dominique McFadden, Executive Director of the Adoption Center, joins us to demystify the often confusing adoption process. She breaks down the three different "paths" families can take, from private adoption to foster-to-adopt, and explains what resources are available to parents. It's time to bust out the "creative couture" because November is Craft Month in Philly! This week on "Shara in the City," we're getting our hands dirty (and glittery) with Emily Edelstein, Executive Director of CraftNOW Philadelphia. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Highmark Mann Center is the iconic sound of summer in Philadelphia, but its legacy stretches back long before its 1976 opening. This week, we dive into the rich history of Philly's beloved amphitheater with Highmark Mann CEO Katherine Cahill and historian Jack McCarthy, author of the new book "A Century of Music Under the Stars." We'll explore the Mann's origins as the Robin Hood Dell, a venue rescued by the legendary Frederic "Freddie" Mann. Hear how the programming evolved from strictly classical to hosting icons like The Roots. This week on Shara in the City, we're in West Philly at Babashi, a food pantry that's tackling the food crisis with a revolutionary model. We get a tour of their "pantry of choice"—a market where clients grab a cart and shop with points for fresh meat, produce, and milk—a system designed to provide radical customer service and a dignified experience in a time of overwhelming need. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/p

When Jenné Johns' son was born 14 weeks early, her 77-day NICU journey exposed more than just a medical crisis—it revealed a system rife with racial bias. Now, as the founder of "Once Upon a Preemie," she is turning that pain into purpose. Janae joins us for National Prematurity Awareness Month to share her powerful story, discuss the shocking disparities Black fathers face in the NICU (including being treated as threats), and explain how her organization is now training clinicians to dismantle the implicit biases that lead to life-threatening inequities in neonatal care. Following recent public conversations over its handling of human remains, the museum's new co-directors join Shara to discuss the "thorny questions" of ethical stewardship. Hear how they are beginning an evolving journey to move their collection "from data to human". To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podc

How do you help a community in the immediate aftermath of a crisis? This week, we're joined by Reverend Linda Ivey, founder of the nonprofit Your Destiny Is Here. She discusses her vital mission of providing both spiritual and practical support to families in their darkest moments, particularly those affected by gun violence. Reverend Ivey shares the importance of rapid, structured services, her work in trauma counseling and conflict resolution, and why she believes faith leaders have a crucial role to play in community service. This week on Shara in the City a discussion on Calder Gardens, a space dedicated to the work of artist Alexander Calder, which aims to inspire curiosity and contemplation through art and architecture. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we’re revisiting an episode from a special series we did last October, “Stories from the Journey”, which was honored with a Gracie Award this year. Doctors, survivors, and supporters shared their personal experiences with breast cancer, and in this final episode, we took a close look at breast reconstruction in a conversation in front of a live audience. Racquel Williams spoke with surgeons Dr. Alexander Au and Dr. Lori Timmerman with ⁠The Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program⁠ and two reconstruction patients to hear all the options available, how procedures like implants and DIEP flap reconstruction work, what recovery looks like, and more. This episode was originally released on October 26, 2024. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shayna Yvonne Rudd, founder of the Legend House, a therapeutic arts program in Philadelphia, shared her journey from battling depression to creating a supportive community for young girls. Initially called Lady Diva, the program evolved into Legends Camp in 2012, serving hundreds of girls. Shara Dae Howard joins an expert arborist on a hike through Wissahickon Valley Park to uncover the fascinating science behind why leaves change color and which local trees put on the most spectacular autumn show To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What started with one Drexel student donating 50 unused meal swipes has blossomed into a national movement. Philly-based Sharing Excess now rescues over 2 million pounds of surplus food each week, fighting food waste and hunger simultaneously. Founder Evan Ellers believes we don't have a food shortage, but an access problem—and his team is fixing it. Learn more about their incredible work and how every $1 you donate provides 10 meals for those in need. The Prince Hall Masons are the oldest African American fraternity in the United States, with a history dating back to 1784. Today, they continue this legacy of strengthening the community through public events like food giveaways and festivals, preserving their rich history while welcoming a new generation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Bridging Philly, we threw a surprise on-air baby shower for our amazing producer, Sabrina Boyd-Surka, who is expecting any day now! Join us for a warm, honest, and heartfelt conversation about the real journey into motherhood. We're joined by an incredible panel of Philly experts to share their wisdom and support. Bo Zhao, founder of the brilliant Baby Gear Group, reveals how to save money and stress by renting baby gear instead of buying. Dr. Sarah McMahon, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of Phun Phit Pham, provides essential advice on postpartum recovery, pelvic floor health, and bonding with your baby. And on Shara in the City, we head to Inner Circle Midwifery in Wynnewood, where we meet one of the only Black certified professional midwives in the area to discuss the benefits of expectant mothers having midwives and doulas by their sides. Whether you're expecting, a new parent, or just love a heartwarming surprise, this episode is for you. Tune in for a dose of community, r