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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Love & Release: The Cry Log
For some time, though, I resisted this truth about myself. I wanted to put distance between myself and stereotypes of women of color as being unable to handle their emotions. I thought that crying meant I was volatile and unstable. I considered bursting into tears to be a weakness, to be something embarrassing and unwanted. And people told me this, too, saying I needed to grow a thicker skin because I was “too sensitive” and thus “illogical.”
Cultivating Roots: Second-generation Latiné Gardeners Navigate Urban Challenges
In Philadelphia, second-generation Latine gardeners cultivate plots alongside family, friends, and neighbors, creating a communal atmosphere filled with laughter and shared stories during planting and harvest seasons. This vibrant community reflects a deep-rooted connection to the land and cultural heritage.
HNI Collective is Helping Philadelphians Embrace Slow Fashion, One Stitch at a Time
Founded in January by Asemota, HNI Collective’s mission is to make sustainable clothing accessible to all bodies. Her approach is two-fold: help consumers make their clothes last longer while helping fashion brands be as sustainable as possible.