Love Now Live: A Night of Healing
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.
In Memoriam: Judith Jamison
In honor of the legendary Judith Jamison, we dedicate this article of remembrance to her legacy.
Peoplehood’s Return to West Philadelphia Inspires Hope and Fosters Resilience
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.
Kristal Bush on Freedom and #FreeMyWeedman
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.
The Syphax Freedom Fairytale
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.
Philly’s Motivation: A Source of Pride and Resilience in Philadelphia
Williams utilized his hardships as tools for success and grew a thriving social media platform known as Philly’s Motivation, posting 60-second videos that make people smile, whether through “a prayer or inspiring someone through grief, suicidal thoughts, or depression,” said Williams.
His messages were like little love notes to the community, spreading hope and optimism in challenging times.
Determined and Never Afraid: Dana “DJ Showtyme” Johnson
Dana Johnson continues to offer herself to the world, despite the traumas she’s endured. She recognizes that she is an example for many who admire her and offers herself as a voice for those oppressed, ignored, and forgotten. DJ Showtyme reminds us that adversity shapes us, but doesn’t define who we are to ourselves or others.
Activist Debbie Wei on Love for Community and the Fight to Save Philadelphia’s Chinatown
When I ask Debbie if Parker’s recent endorsement means the fight to save Chinatown is lost, she looks up from her mapo tofu noodles and laughs. “Oh God, no,” she chuckles, reminding me that Mayor Street’s pet project was a proposal to put the Phillies stadium in Chinatown and Mayor Nutter eyed the neighborhood as the site for a casino. The community defeated both.
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.
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.
