An Uphill Climb to Prosperity: The Journey of a Returning Mother

A wise poet once wrote, “life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” This could not be truer for a person who is justice-impacted. As a mother returning from incarceration, life is full of bumps, cracks, and splinters on stairs that bruise as they knock me down one step for every two steps that I climb. My journey from incarceration to stability has been a roller coaster ride since I returned to society nearly two decades ago.

Freeing the Cvgebird

Cvgebird takes social and systemic issues, and makes them sonically compelling, as well as being informed and interesting. Everything is intentional, whether it be for Selina, the listener, or both.

Cosmic Bonds and “the Comet of the Century”

On Saturday, October 12th, a rare comet will be at its most visible over Philadelphia – streaking through the sky and easily visible with a telescope or binoculars. Named “Tsuchinshan-Atlas”, the comet will make its closest approach to Earth for the next 80,000 years and promises to be the “comet of the century.”

The Exemplary Manhood of Frontline Dads 

So, what does it mean to be a Frontline Dad? Jones describes it as “exemplary manhood,” a recurring phrase taught to mentees. “You don’t have to be a biological father to be a dad,” he emphasizes. “We come from communities where we believe in taking a village to raise a child.”

Weaving Freedom Dreams: A Collaborative Poem 

This poem was compiled at the Fall 2024 Release Party for Love Now Magazine. Attendees were asked to write down their feelings and responses to various prompts, in haiku format, and submit them anonymously for publication. Following the event, the haikus were compiled by curator Kim Russell into a longer form poem, published above.

Power Up! Civic Awareness with the Free Library

This fall, the Free Library of Philadelphia is teaming up with Temple University’s Dr. Aaron Smith, an Assistant Professor of Africology and African American Studies, to present an enlightening six-part series titled “Power Up!”