NEWS

Equity

When it comes to your job, how much ‘AI anxiety’ makes sense?

Optimistically, we’re in a very exciting time for the technology, and the possibilities truly do feel endless. On the other hand, we may just be in another AI boom. The bubble could burst and leave us with just enough machine learning to make things a little easier, but without a major Jetsons-level advance drastically changing how we live and work.

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StoryCorps

The New Normal: Rewriting the Narrative of Black Motherhood with StoryCorps

In June 2024, for the first time in its history, the Philadelphia City Council allocated $1 million to address the Black maternal health crisis. Based on a recent report from ABC News, the government at all levels is collaborating to improve maternal health by increasing access to midwives and doulas to address common issues and coordinate necessary care. And just last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pledged $568 million to support efforts to improve maternal health.

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Equity

Community Education Will Save Us: West Philadelphia’s W.E.B. Du Bois Abolition School 

“Education must not simply teach work – it must teach life.” Teaching life means transmitting survival tools that allow folk to live freely and fully. This framework underpins the mission of the West Philadelphia-based W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition & Reconstruction (the Abolition School), a critical space for political education born from the 2020 uprisings.

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News

A Conversation with Jeffrey L. Page on The Power of African Dance in a Time of Resistance

Jeffrey L. Page’s passion for African dance is palpable, rooted in the movement and the deeper connections it fosters. As he explained, the study and practice of traditional African dance allow individuals to connect with something greater than themselves—beyond the oppressive histories many have experienced. “These dances are not just about movement,” Jeffrey said. “They are about rhythms, rituals, and life themes—whether it’s a celebration, a time to fight, protect, or harvest. These dances embody a history and a culture that transcends what many of us have experienced in the United States.”

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Equity

Focusing on ‘joy’ in Philly schools will reduce racial discipline disparities

Lift Every Voice, the organization behind this year’s Joy Campaign, is backing the creation of a “joy-based budget” for schools to bolster access to recess, the arts, counselors, and the district’s program to bolster student mental health known as the Support Team for Educational Partnership. The blueprint would also create a Chief of Joy position in the district; in June, the City Council adopted a resolution exploring the creation of this position in Philly schools.

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StoryCorps

On Passion and Purpose: Back to School with StoryCorps 

After a long, hot summer, it’s Back to School season in Philadelphia. At Love Now Media, we’re celebrating the end of a full season with our Young Professional Storytellers, a group of incredible students who staff our broadcast projects and host/produce ‘Dinner with Friends,’ an original podcast.

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Philly Girls Jump
News

Black Women Find Play and Community with New Approaches to Wellness in Philadelphia

Studies show that Black women have a higher prevalence of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancers, obesity and stress. About 38% of Black women reported little or no participation in leisure-time physical activity, according to a 2023 study in The Journal of Sport Health and Science. As a result, Black women, who face barriers to working out such as family responsibilities and image perception, have a higher risk of developing diseases linked to physical inactivity.

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Equity

This Short Film About A Philly Sports Team’s Protest Reminds Us to Say Sonya Massey’s Name

On this, the first day of the Paris Olympics, and in the wake of this week’s amplified awareness around the death of Sonya Massey, I am reminded of this team of young Black girls, ranging in age from 5 to 19, and their activism for Black Women and Girls.This film shows us what love looks like when it’s put into action in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. It’s not just warm feelings and kind words. It’s empowerment. It’s education. It’s standing up and speaking out, even when your voice shakes.

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Love Now Magazine

Oshunbumi Fernandez-West & The Legacy of Odunde

In many ways, Fernandez-West’s life mirrors her mother’s. “Bumi wants to see everyone win,” says Radeen Scott, a friend since kindergarten. Like Lois, “Bumi does so much behind the scenes, whether it’s clothe people’s children, pay someone’s bills….she’s mentored so many girls behind the scenes.” Those acts of kindness and generosity were ingrained in Fernandez-West simply by watching how her mother moved through the world. It surprised no one that two years ago, when Kesha Simpson, Fernandez-West’s best friend, was dying of breast cancer, Bumi didn’t think twice about taking in Kesha’s two children.

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News

Love Now Media: May-July Round-up

Love Now Media has been buzzing with activity this summer. If you’ve been following us on our social media, you’ve likely caught glimpses of our productions and projects. From facilitating stories from our community of Woman’s Way Fellows to spearheading tools and events for industry players in the city of Philadelphia, our team has been collectively helping to empower and transform the media landscape. Here’s a small taste of our summer.

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Love Now Magazine

The Sister Stewards of Dope Botanicals

“We created a space that we always wanted to come to,” says Taahirah. “It’s so important for us to put our point of view out there as Black women. We have a specific point of view of herbalism, and sometimes that’s overshadowed, or it doesn’t get a storefront.”

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