Philadelphia Neighborhoods https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com Reporting in underserved communities Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:47:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://phillyn-media.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/08105343/cropped-Favicon_white-1-32x32.png Philadelphia Neighborhoods https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com 32 32 ‘These are our people’: Weekly vigils unite faiths on ICE’s doorstep https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/07/these-are-our-people-weekly-vigils-unite-faiths-on-ices-doorstep/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/07/these-are-our-people-weekly-vigils-unite-faiths-on-ices-doorstep/#respond Tue, 07 Jul 2026 18:47:33 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242939 People stand on a sidewalk beneath a pale gray sky. The street behind them is between two tan stone buildings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on their ground levels, and the multicolored glass exterior of a parking garage shines further down the street, next to some taller red brick buildings. Glass windows are visible behind the people on the sidewalk. Some of them wear raincoats or windbreakers, and some of them hold umbrellas of various colors. Two men in the right half of the image, one southeast Asian and one white, wear clerical collars. They are all waving wooden rods with thick red ribbons tied to the ends of them in the air. Most of the people present appear to be white and/or over the age of 50. One bearded, middle-aged man in a gray and black windbreaker and black pants points a camera towards the bottom right corner of the image, where a blue banner reads “GOD STANDS WITH THE OPPRESSED.” To the banner’s left, a canvas with a monarch butterfly painted on it is draped over a concrete sidewalk barrier. A blue bicycle is parked behind the man with the camera, and a black car in the street drives past the group of people.For months, an interfaith group has prayed outside of Philadelphia's ICE field office every Wednesday afternoon. They are approaching their 40-week goal. ]]> People stand on a sidewalk beneath a pale gray sky. The street behind them is between two tan stone buildings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows on their ground levels, and the multicolored glass exterior of a parking garage shines further down the street, next to some taller red brick buildings. Glass windows are visible behind the people on the sidewalk. Some of them wear raincoats or windbreakers, and some of them hold umbrellas of various colors. Two men in the right half of the image, one southeast Asian and one white, wear clerical collars. They are all waving wooden rods with thick red ribbons tied to the ends of them in the air. Most of the people present appear to be white and/or over the age of 50. One bearded, middle-aged man in a gray and black windbreaker and black pants points a camera towards the bottom right corner of the image, where a blue banner reads “GOD STANDS WITH THE OPPRESSED.” To the banner’s left, a canvas with a monarch butterfly painted on it is draped over a concrete sidewalk barrier. A blue bicycle is parked behind the man with the camera, and a black car in the street drives past the group of people.

On a rainy Wednesday in May, a group of people gathered on the corner of 8th and Cherry Streets to pray. They were celebrating the Christian holiday of Pentecost by waving red ribbons in the air. Alongside the ribbons, people held colorful signs that called for immigration reform. “True faith is bigger than a Sunday feeling,” said Bishop Stephen Poyser, Sr. of Poyser Way New Testament Church…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/07/these-are-our-people-weekly-vigils-unite-faiths-on-ices-doorstep/feed/ 0 “To Be Here” weaves a web of Philadelphia experiences, told by and for the community https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/03/to-be-here-weaves-a-web-of-philadelphia-experiences-told-by-and-for-the-community/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/03/to-be-here-weaves-a-web-of-philadelphia-experiences-told-by-and-for-the-community/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:54:51 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242960 A community ensemble of Philadelphians brought stories of the American experience to both the stage and the gallery in the Journey Arts production, "To Be Here." ]]>

Eight people are sitting around a table that is set with plates and mugs. “Cafecito, anyone?” says a woman seated near the middle, wearing all white with a red sash. The group includes a man wearing a Baye Fall cloth, a woman wearing a seafoam green Statue of Liberty dress, and another wearing a Temple University sweatshirt. They answer “Sí, sí,” and “Yes, please.” As one person pours…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/07/03/to-be-here-weaves-a-web-of-philadelphia-experiences-told-by-and-for-the-community/feed/ 1 How Philadelphia’s DIY music scene is helping fund gender-affirming care https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/06/07/how-philadelphias-diy-music-scene-is-helping-fund-gender-affirming-care/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/06/07/how-philadelphias-diy-music-scene-is-helping-fund-gender-affirming-care/#respond Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:21:26 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242923 The crowd during a performance by The DOJD, Claire Brown's band, in a West Philadelphia basement. (Image-Jacob Magaldi)Across the nation, trans healthcare is under attack. Even in Philadelphia, where care is more accessible, costs are prohibitively high. In this video, Claire Brown, Nicolle Maroulis, and Sarah Schwartzchild discuss how important access to this care is, the vital role mutual aid plays in this access, and how community support is baked into the D.I.Y. ethics of music scenes. ]]> The crowd during a performance by The DOJD, Claire Brown's band, in a West Philadelphia basement. (Image-Jacob Magaldi)

As gender-affirming care comes under increasing attack from the federal government, an underground network of musicians in Philadelphia are hosting DIY benefit concerts to help community members access the care they need. Claire Brown, Nicolle Maroulis and Sarah Schwartzchild discuss the growing federal restrictions on healthcare for trans people and how DIY music is working to fill the gaps.

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/06/07/how-philadelphias-diy-music-scene-is-helping-fund-gender-affirming-care/feed/ 0 Video Style Guide: Pictures-Video-Photography https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/27/video-style-guide-pictures-video-photography/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/27/video-style-guide-pictures-video-photography/#respond Thu, 28 May 2026 02:15:06 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=227403 This section will focus on pictures/video/photography standards. ]]>

This section will focus on pictures/video/photography standards. Note- We are using basic standards applied by Reuters. Refrefernces to their organization will be highlighted in bold text with appropriate links. One of our objectives is to teach you advanced video news reporting techniques. In this course we will advance your understanding of the elements that make up a video news story…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/27/video-style-guide-pictures-video-photography/feed/ 0 Inspired by ACT UP, this queer Philly collective is throwing mutual aid parties  https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/04/inspired-by-act-up-this-queer-philly-collective-is-throwing-mutual-aid-parties/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/04/inspired-by-act-up-this-queer-philly-collective-is-throwing-mutual-aid-parties/#respond Mon, 04 May 2026 21:25:17 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242898 Amidst political threats, one grassroots organization is activating Philadelphia's queer community through mutual aid dance parties. ]]>

The Ethical Society’s high-ceilinged hall in Rittenhouse Square isn’t full yet, but it’s getting there. An aerialist is held above their partner’s head as they weave through the crowd before the main show begins. The drinks are pay-what-you-can with a suggested donation of $7. Organizers wrapped in raffle tickets work the room, while strangers approach one another and engage in conversation.

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/05/04/inspired-by-act-up-this-queer-philly-collective-is-throwing-mutual-aid-parties/feed/ 0 Robeson future on the line in today’s school board vote  https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/30/robeson-future-on-the-line-in-todays-school-board-vote/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/30/robeson-future-on-the-line-in-todays-school-board-vote/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:46:05 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242892 Philadelphia School Board meets today to vote on the Facilities Master Plan. ]]>

“It was cold as hell,” Andrew Saltz remembers. It was January 2013, and the School Reform Commission had just announced a sweeping plan to close dozens of Philadelphia schools, including Paul Robeson High School for Human Services, a small high school in University City. Saltz, then a relatively new teacher, walked down Market Street alongside dozens of his students…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/30/robeson-future-on-the-line-in-todays-school-board-vote/feed/ 0 Life across the street from America’s largest incinerator: Chester residents speak out ahead of Philadelphia trash bill https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/22/life-across-the-street-from-americas-largest-incinerator-chester-residents-speak-out-ahead-of-philadelphia-trash-bill/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/22/life-across-the-street-from-americas-largest-incinerator-chester-residents-speak-out-ahead-of-philadelphia-trash-bill/#respond Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:05:15 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242774 Chester, PA and the people who call it home, now find themselves at the center of a national debate on how the United States should dispose of its increasing amounts of waste. ]]>

Chester PA is a small city on the Delaware river, 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Once a manufacturing hub during World War I that drew a diverse workforce, Chester is now a city of about 34,000 residents, 72% of whom are African American. “Chester is a very tight-knit community,” says Dr. Kristin Motley, the city’s Health Commissioner. “Everybody knows each other and if you don’t know a…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/22/life-across-the-street-from-americas-largest-incinerator-chester-residents-speak-out-ahead-of-philadelphia-trash-bill/feed/ 0 For local queer artists, Shop Queer Philly is building community outside of Pride Month https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/for-local-queer-artists-shop-queer-philly-is-building-community-outside-of-pride-month/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/for-local-queer-artists-shop-queer-philly-is-building-community-outside-of-pride-month/#respond Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:48:11 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242858 Meet Shop Queer Philly: a recurring pop-up market showcasing local queer artists and small business owners outside of Pride Month. ]]>

There was barely room to move inside Wissahickon Brewing Co. on Saturday, April 4th. Just an hour after Shop Queer Philly’s 11 a.m. opening, the Olde Kensington brewery was already alive with music and shoppers weaving through crowded aisles of vendors selling everything from upcycled terrariums, profane plates, death-metal-inspired pottery to liberatory risographs. Shop Queer Philly is…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/for-local-queer-artists-shop-queer-philly-is-building-community-outside-of-pride-month/feed/ 0 As Trump targets queer communities of color, Ebony Ali is fighting back through performance art https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/as-trump-targets-queer-communities-of-color-ebony-ali-is-fighting-back-through-performance-art/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/as-trump-targets-queer-communities-of-color-ebony-ali-is-fighting-back-through-performance-art/#respond Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:47:15 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242728 As attacks against the QTBIPOC community ramp up, resistance sometimes looks like a six-foot-five Black drag queen protesting in the middle of City Hall. ]]>

As the Trump administration intensifies its political attacks targeting transgender healthcare, LGBTQIA protections, and mental health services for queer youth, Philadelphia drag queen and community organizer Ebony Ali is turning to art as a form of resistance. Ali—who also goes by Icon Ebony-Fierce—is a longtime community organizer and program manager at Galaei, one of Philadelphia’s…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/20/as-trump-targets-queer-communities-of-color-ebony-ali-is-fighting-back-through-performance-art/feed/ 0 Latino business owners gather at annual Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce event https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/10/latino-business-owners-gather-at-annual-philadelphia-hispanic-chamber-of-commerce-event/ https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/10/latino-business-owners-gather-at-annual-philadelphia-hispanic-chamber-of-commerce-event/#respond Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:35:23 +0000 https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/?p=242743 The Great Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's annual gathering brought together over 75 companies, giving local company owners a platform to network, exchange information, and expand their presence in the community. ]]>

More than 75 businesses convened in Philadelphia this week for an event aimed at helping local entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing a company. Hosted by the Great Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the annual gathering focused on connecting small business owners with resources, information, and one another. “We are giving the opportunity to help businesses…

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]]> https://philadelphianeighborhoods.com/2026/04/10/latino-business-owners-gather-at-annual-philadelphia-hispanic-chamber-of-commerce-event/feed/ 0