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Ancestors in the Sun
“Ancestors in the Sun” is a reflective poem that seeks to give gratitude and pay homage to the ancestors and guardian spirts that came before us and protect us.
June 15, 2024
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“Ancestors in the Sun” is a reflective poem that seeks to give gratitude and pay homage to the ancestors and guardian spirts that came before us and protect us.
Every second Sunday in June, the river goddess Oshun is honored with an annual offering, a beloved and critical component of the Philadelphia Odunde Festival. Believers of the Yoruba religion consider the deities or Orishas as mediators between humanity and God. Oshun, the deity of love, fertility, and sensuality, rules mainly the fresh waters and is also associated with the divine feminine. She hears and answers prayers and teaches self-forgiveness and love.
“Fair chance” hiring is the practice of hiring individuals with a criminal record. It is also sometimes called “second chance hiring.” When formerly incarcerated people can’t find a job after leaving prison, they face significant challenges, including lack of food, clothes, transportation, or shelter. This can cause desperation and lead to additional crimes or addiction issues, perpetuating the cycle of incarceration.
This is especially true for certain groups of the Latine community, particularly for undocumented immigrants. Philadelphia has had a long history of community gardens, creating a melting pot for those with and without citizenship — the city has become a sanctuary for the Latine population who have since founded communities across the city.
When asked how he discovered his passion for music, it felt serendipitous to hear Joseph Conyers respond, “Music found me.”
Before receiving recognition as Forbes ’30 under 30′ honoree in 2021 for his remarkable social impact, gaining prominence as Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of REC Philly, a multimillion-dollar creative hub, and serving as a board member of several nonprofits dedicated to humanitarian efforts, William Tyrone Toms was a precocious Black boy living in the Germantown section of Philly, Pa., using his inner strength and forced resilience to navigate familial trauma.
There is something nostalgic about opening a box of new sneakers: the anticipation as you peel back the paper, pluck them from the box, spin them around in your hand in admiration, and take in that fresh sneaker smell. He’s never forgotten the confidence he felt as a child when he stepped into a new pair. “I felt like a Superhero,” shared Killebrew, “especially when I played ball. It may sound like a small thing, but it can be a big feeling, particularly to underprivileged children.” He wanted to give that feeling to youth in need.
Philly’s youth are often at the center of news stories. They lead as protesters, activists, and organizers. They disrupt the status quo by riding motorbikes through the streets. They challenge definitions of identity and force us to evaluate whether the world we’ve designed does what it’s supposed to do. Yet, without guidance, support, and investment, youth are critically vulnerable due to a lack of safe places, housing, and education.
The reality is cultural attitudes toward impoverished people – fueled by toxic portrayals, fear mongering in the media and systematic dehumanization – have made homelessness not a community problem to be solved, but an individual offense to be punished, and defines those who suffer this condition as enemies to the idyllic peace of ‘good (read: housed and well-fed) people’.
Like many leaders, Jos Duncan Asé’s origin story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. She faced significant adversities, such as the loss of her father and her mother’s battle with addiction. With the support of family and community members, these hardships molded her into a change agent, determined to make a positive difference in her community.
For The Cook Sisters, the self and selves go hand-in-hand, transcending time and space. And they both require a “yes” to love. “I want for my sisters what I want for myself,” Jeannine once wrote in a post on social media. It would appear that what she wants for herself, is indeed what her sisters feel they need.
I come from a lineage of women who’ve grappled with the complexities of love, a theme that has deeply shaped my own journey. At the heart of this narrative lies the absence of a mother’s love, a defining element passed down through generations. This absence, in turn, led me to a realization: one of the most powerful forces in the universe is a mother’s love.
When Rosa started as a school safety officer at Tilden Middle School, he realized he needed a way to connect more intimately with the students, to get them to trust and talk to him about what they were going through.
By making himself visible as an artist from the neighborhood, painting and sometimes throwing pottery in the street, Lugo hopes to show others that that path is possible and that there’s already “ingenuity and artistry and creativity” in Kensington.
“Hadestown” is more than just a musical; it is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the human spirit, making it a truly unforgettable experience for all who see it.
In December 2023, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons had 4,659 incarcerated residents in its custody at four correctional institutions, most of whom will be houseless when released.
Young Philadelphians and advocates who feel that their concerns have been overlooked share these sentiments on youth homelessness.
Eboni Zamani is a Black filmmaker who is Nicetown-born and who spent much of her coming-of-age with family and friends in Germantown. Years later, Zamani has officially made Germantown her home.
Mariyum Raina Rizwan, the daughter of South Asian immigrants, reflects on the sacrifices her mother made in shaping her own path while honoring her cultural heritage.
“Dreams in Smoke” is a reflection on the impact of genocide. Through evocative language and vivid imagery, the poem explores the tragic consequences of conflict, leaving readers with a sobering reminder of the human cost of violence and the enduring search for hope amidst despair.
Delve into a poignant poem reflecting the complexities of self-perception and inner truth. Explore themes of introspection, resilience, and empowerment as the poet navigates the labyrinth of identity.
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