What We’ve Learned About Mutual Aid from Hurricane Katrina and the StoryCorps Archive
August 29th is the 19th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in New Orleans, LA. The Category 3 hurricane brought a 22-foot storm surge to the streets of New Orleans, taking the lives of over 1,300 people and leaving 80% of the city underwater by August 31st.
Respect the Animals, Respect Each Other: StoryCorps carries the Black Cowboy Code from LA to North Philly
Beyond aesthetics, though, most of the coverage given to cowboy culture is about the history of Black cowboys and the American West. What is often lost in this is the fact that Black cowboys are alive and well, and their values continue to inform the growth of thousands of young people across the country.
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.
AI Goes to College: Can artificial intelligence and higher education peacefully coexist?
Does artificial intelligence have a place in these supposed bastions of independent thoughts?
We should obviously be considering the ethics of AI use by students and teachers, but also be thinking about recruitment and retention as well as the technology disparities between public and private universities as we embark on a deeper search for answers.
A Presidential Forerunner and the First and Second in Flight: StoryCorps lands at Love Now Media
While the country prepares for the historic run of Vice President Harris, we recognize all of the Black women who have paved and plotted the way in her stead. To quote Holmes, “we’re all gonna be there for each other.”
Dance challenges, deepfakes and discrimination: The deal with AI and personal safety
When you consider some of the more high-profile ways artificial intelligence has gone rogue, it might leave you wondering if the technology is truly ready for prime time.
Following Controversy, Andrea Lawful-Sanders’ Ladies Lunch Sparks Healing and Connection
In the face of global scrutiny, Andrea could have crumbled. Instead, she chose reflection and accountability. As she told the gathered women at the lunch, “two weeks ago, I had been the first person to interview the President following his debate. Just two days after that, my reputation was being questioned throughout the world.”
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.
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.
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.