This is What Freedom Looks Like: A Juneteenth Photo Essay
Photos by Azella Gardens. This past Sunday, Philly held its annual Juneteenth parade in West Philly.
Philly’s African Drum Tradition as Resistance and Ritual
African drum and dance are the heart of Black Music Philadelphia – from ‘tangin’ at block parties to the drum circles at Malcolm X Park. They are acts of memory and resistance, carrying the spirit of the ancestors into the present and the future. African drumming is one of humanity’s oldest technologies. It has been a tool of communication, healing, and ceremony for tens of thousands of years. Rhythms from Mali, Ghana, Senegal, and beyond endured in the forced crossings of the Middle Passage.
Tanya T. Morris Champions Black Women’s Economic Liberation
Tanya T. Morris knows what it means to build something meaningful in the face of uncertainty. A mission-driven entrepreneur, she launched Mom Your Business not with a master plan, but with a single event and a calling to serve. Since then, she has navigated job loss, capital scarcity, and systemic roadblocks while staying grounded in her purpose: to support and elevate Black and Brown women entrepreneurs.
Filmmaker Kyree Terrell on Storytelling, Community, and Staying the Course
For over a decade, I’ve watched Kyree Terrell evolve from a party and event videographer into one of Philadelphia’s most prolific independent filmmakers. I remember when he launched My New Philly, a media platform dedicated to reshaping narratives about our city, capturing joy, possibility, and what was “new” and often overlooked. He led teams of young journalists and filmmakers through our neighborhoods with cameras and curiosity, documenting stories that uplifted and inspired.
Beyond Broadway, The Wiz as a Black Music Month Manifesto
There are moments in Black culture when time folds inward. When the past, present, and future meet in rhythm, harmony, and truth-telling. Last night, watching The Wiz, performed at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music and presented by Ensemble Arts, became such a moment. Staged during Black Music Month, this production reminded us why The Wiz, first introduced to Broadway in the 1970’s, remains one of the most potent cultural reimaginings in American performance history.
Sarah Mueller’s Community-Centered Film Revolution
Sarah Mueller’s Community-Centered Film Revolution Sarah Meuller for Love Now Magazine. Photo by Ronald Gray For this loving leader, love ripples through every frame of her work. Sarah Mueller leads with heart, hustle, and a deep belief in the power of community. As founder and executive director of cinéSPEAK, she’s spent over a decade creating […]
From the Block to the Studio: Vernon Ray Shoots Cameras, Not Guns
Video Story. Raised in North Philly, Vernon Ray transforms pain into purpose—capturing hope, healing, and truth through his lens. Founder of Shoot Cameras, Not Guns, Vernon mentors young creatives and builds community, believing that love is showing up, every day. His art invites us to see, feel, and remember what matters most.
Jacen Bowman: Leading with Love and Pride
Jacen Bowman knows what it means to fight for love—beginning with himself. The lessons he has learned about self-love are the foundation for how he loves others today.
This activist, leader, and advocate channels his awareness into his work on behalf of intentionally marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ individuals, to ensure their visibility, amplify their voices, and validate their experiences.
Our Unbreakable Best: Healing Beyond the System
“I want my story to show others that healing is possible, no matter where you start.”
A profound statement, rooted in love and a deep belief in all things good, from educator and activist Victoria Best.
Now forty-five, Best was thrust into the Philadelphia foster care system after being separated from her biological mother at age 2. On a journey where resilience and survival became necessities, she quickly learned the difference between shelter and belonging after she and her brother were taken in by her uncle’s family.
Grammy Winner Karen Slack Brings the Love and Legacies of ‘African Queens’ to the Operatic Stage
As opera continues to navigate these transformative times, artists like Karen Slack are at the forefront.
