Love Now Magazine
Nation Free
“Nation Free” is a poem written by Black Queer multi-disciplinary artist, cultural producer, educator and Philadelphia’s inaugural poet, Kai Davis.
January 31, 2025
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“Nation Free” is a poem written by Black Queer multi-disciplinary artist, cultural producer, educator and Philadelphia’s inaugural poet, Kai Davis.
Vashti Dubois keeps this house because she wants Black women to visit and know
that someone is expecting them and has prepared a space for them to be comfortable. She said that in naming the museum, “the concept of ‘colored’ came from [the] ways in which the world just colors on Black women and girls; just takes out its crayon and colors us whatever the hell it wants… TCGM is my love letter to ordinary colored girls.”
“Hip-hop started from a conscious place, aiming to uplift people. It brought communities together, reducing violence through events like dance battles. My role is to carry that torch intentionally. I want my content to be meaningful and timeless so that twenty years from now, I can still be proud of my work and its impact on my community and the world.”
In December, Philadelphia City Council voted 12-4 to approve 76 Place after arresting dozens of protesters. But as Debbie predicted, arena opponents vowed to continue the fight despite legislative approval. The very next day, a two-story banner proclaiming “76 Place Will Never Be Built: Stop Land Grabs, from Philly to Palestine” was deployed off of a downtown parking garage. Just over three weeks later, that declaration—and Debbie—would be proven true.
As with all traumas, money trauma runs deep, and we are often unaware that we
have it. We might say that we have money problems, but not money trauma, which forms when we take on the beliefs that others have about money. We might have heard from others that money is evil or that you must work hard for money, and that becomes our belief (often, a belief that goes unchecked).
Mary Enoch Elizabeth Baxter, also known as Isis Tha Savior, creates work that exemplifies the transformative power of art. Her commitment to confronting uncomfortable truths serves as a powerful reminder that the journey of healing, while often fraught with challenges, can lead to profound understanding. As she continues to amplify marginalized voices, she reminds us that art is not just a conversation starter; it’s a catalyst for action and a pathway to justice.
Spending a day with Taj, hearing his story, and witnessing his work, it was clear that he embodies the men and mentors who once helped him heal. He is an uncle, a father, and a Man of Courage for the boys he mentors. He reflects power, faith, and the possibility of something greater: a roaring lion with a gentle soul.
Finding the right therapist is essential for therapy to be effective. As with any meaningful relationship, the therapeutic bond requires trust, understanding, and a shared commitment to your well-being.
The principle of mutual aid is not complicated. Our communities contain a remarkable and often overlooked superpower. That is, each of us has something to give and also something to receive, not for charitable or virtuous purposes, but because the power to support and uplift one another is within our control.
Bunmi Samuel wants you to know that he is doing just fine. Ten years after a 15,000 ft skydiving fall, he is certain that this moment is his: “I am who I say I am. What I said I was going to do, I’ve done. Something tragic didn’t destroy me. I’m better than I’ve ever been.”
It’s easy to write off houselessness as a self-induced result of “laziness” or “addiction” because it doesn’t force us to confront our biases.
As progress inches forward, advocates in the digital equity space agree that navigators play a crucial role in improving access in daily life. Others question if the model is a temporary band-aid, pushing off larger systemic change.
This night not only highlighted the magazine’s theme of ‘Healing’ but also served as a reminder of the weight of nurturing our mental and emotional wellness. As Ayana and Ayinké harmonized to the digital scene of a strikingly orange moon, we reflected and reckoned with the challenges and triumphs of this past year.
Every artist gracing the Fringe stage is featured in Love Now Magazine’s Winter 2024 issue, with the theme: HEALING. Every story in the issue is an account of transformation and wellness from some of the city’s most inspiring figures: Taj Murdock, Victoria Best, and Vashti Dubois, to name a few. You’ll receive a complimentary copy with your ticket so that you can take the inspiration home with you.
What if we used this holiday season to do something truly transformative and rooted in love? What if we pushed beyond surface-level pleasantries and tackled the conversations we usually avoid? This year, I’m inviting you to “hack” the holidays by leaning into one of the hardest—and most necessary topics— money.
In honor of the legendary Judith Jamison, we dedicate this article of remembrance to her legacy.
Amidst the puppets, art installations, and banners, the spirit of community love filled the park, casting a warm glow over the gathering. The air was alive with excitement, showcasing the unity and creativity of the Greater Philadelphia area.
Bush sees herself as a disrupter and change agent. “I create movement in community for people who are voiceless,” she says, “but it all comes from the grassroots.” For Bush, the ability to shift to fill the needs of those in her community is freedom. She believes that education and the respect it brings is freedom.
Auditing across the state helps to ensure our tax dollars are spent efficiently, an issue brought up by Philadelphia citizens in interviews outside City Hall by Love Now Media’s team of youth reporters. “I pay a lot of taxes,” said Raheem.
Together, they remind us that the best things in life come in their own time—love and success come with hard work. Tracey and Cheri Syphax do not take for granted that they get to enjoy the freedom they’ve earned along the way. Instead, like everything else, they share it.
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.
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