On this episode, we’re joined by Angela Giampolo of Giampolo Law for our monthly SpeakOUT segment, which explores issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community and how they intersect with the broader population. Angela breaks down current trends affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, including healthcare access and job discrimination, and discusses alarming new legislation that could have serious implications for people with dual citizenship—or those considering applying for that status.  

But first, we shine a light on Christmas Babies, a holiday initiative founded by Philadelphia Police Officer Ashley Capaldi, an 18-year veteran who mobilizes fellow officers and community volunteers to deliver hundreds of Christmas gifts to families in the Kensington neighborhood. Through a partnership with SWAT, LaLa’s Winter Wonderland, and local community leaders, Christmas Babies continues to grow—meeting urgent needs and spreading joy during the holiday season. You can help support families in need by visiting www.christmasbabies.com. Together, we can help ensure every child experiences the magic, joy, and love of the holidays.  
Learn more & connect with Angela Giampolo / Giampolo Law:
🌐 Website: https://www.giampololaw.com
📸 Instagram: @giampololaw
🐦 X (Twitter): @PhillyGayLawyer
📘 Facebook: Giampolo Law Group

Segment 1: Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church & Bells Across PA We speak with Reverend Carolyn Cavaness, Pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church—the oldest continuously Black-owned church property in the United States and the church founded by Bishop Richard Allen. As the first woman to lead this historic congregation, Reverend Cavaness discusses the unveiling of the Bells Across PA sculpture at Mother Bethel, part of the America 250PA initiative marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Created by Philadelphia artist Gail Gaines, the bell reflects Mother Bethel’s enduring legacy of faith, freedom, and social justice.
Learn more:
🌐 https://www.motherbethel.org
🌐 https://www.america250pa.org
📸 IG: @motherbethelame | @america250pa
Segment 2: Chase Community Center-Branch – West Philadelphia We’re joined by Tanyika Rickard, Vice President & Community Manager for the Philadelphia market at J.P. Morgan Chase, to discuss how the Chase West Philadelphia Community Center is redefining what a bank can be. Based at the community center, Tanyika shares how this innovative space serves as a true neighborhood hub—supporting financial health, homeownership, small-business growth, and expanded access to resources for Black and Latino residents in West Philadelphia.  
 Connect & learn more: Chase West Philadelphia Community Center
📍 15 S. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
📞 445-888-3664
📸 Instagram: @ChaseBank (Philadelphia community workshops & events)

Segment 3: Tommi A. Vincent – The Table of Life We wrap up with Tommi A. Vincent—thought leader, life coach, and national advocate for survivors. The immediate past Chairwoman of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, board member with Survivor Justice Action and YOUNITY, and co-founder and COO of Vincent Country®, Tommi discusses her debut book, The Table of Life. Blending memoir, recipes, and life lessons, the book explores healing, resilience, and purpose—showing how food, faith, and community can transform lives. Learn more & connect:
🌐 https://www.tommivincent.com
📸 Instagram: @chef_tommi | @vincentcountry
✖️ X: @ChefTommi
📘 The Table of Life — available via her website and major retailers

On this episode, we’re joined by Dwuan Gandy II, creative director and communications leader with You Deserve More Media (YDMM)—a full-service media, storytelling, and public relations company committed to elevating nonprofits, grassroots leaders, and underserved communities through strategy-driven messaging and culture-forward content. Dwuan shares why equitable storytelling matters, what organizations get wrong about visibility, and how YDMM helps mission-driven work cut through the noise and reach the people it’s meant to serve.

🌐 You Deserve More Media: https://www.youdeservemore.media/ You Deserve More
📺 YouTube: @youdeservemoremedia YouTube
🔗 LinkedIn (YDMM): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ydmm LinkedIn
📸 Instagram (Dwuan): @dwuan.gandyii Instagram

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Philadelphia Councilmember Nina Ahmad, who is leading a critical new initiative to combat human trafficking across the city. Her proposed legislation—developed in partnership with the Red Card Philly campaigns call for a multilingual, citywide public-education effort featuring posters, PSAs, social media messaging, and outreach in transportation hubs and other high-traffic areas. With a proposed $500,000 investment, the goal is to equip residents, workers, and visitors with the tools to recognize the signs of human trafficking, report concerns safely and support the protection of vulnerable individuals. Councilmember Ahmad discusses why this initiative is urgently needed, how language accessibility strengthens the campaign’s reach, and the key community and advocacy partners helping to drive this work. Listeners will also learn practical ways to stay informed, report suspected trafficking and engage in anti-trafficking efforts in their own neighborhoods.

🌐 Official City Council Profile:
https://phlcouncil.com/ninaahmad
 📸 Instagram (Official Council Account):
@cmninaahmad
📲 General Contact (Office):
📞 215-686-3450
Human Trafficking Hotlines
📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
📞 Salvation Army Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Hotline: 267-838-5866    

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Philadelphia Councilmember Nina Ahmad, who is leading a critical new initiative to combat human trafficking across the city. Her proposed legislation—developed in partnership with the Red Card Philly campaigns call for a multilingual, citywide public-education effort featuring posters, PSAs, social media messaging, and outreach in transportation hubs and other high-traffic areas. With a proposed $500,000 investment, the goal is to equip residents, workers, and visitors with the tools to recognize the signs of human trafficking, report concerns safely and support the protection of vulnerable individuals. Councilmember Ahmad discusses why this initiative is urgently needed, how language accessibility strengthens the campaign’s reach, and the key community and advocacy partners helping to drive this work. Listeners will also learn practical ways to stay informed, report suspected trafficking and engage in anti-trafficking efforts in their own neighborhoods.

🌐 Official City Council Profile:
https://phlcouncil.com/ninaahmad
 📸 Instagram (Official Council Account):
@cmninaahmad
📲 General Contact (Office):
📞 215-686-3450
Human Trafficking Hotlines
📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888
📞 Salvation Army Philadelphia Anti-Trafficking Hotline: 267-838-5866    

We bring you VLS Journeys, the monthly literary and cultural spotlight on Insight, hosted by Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati. Once a month, we explore the journeys of authors, thinkers, and creators shaping our world through story and scholarship. Today, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz — award-winning author, educator, and producer. Dr. Shabazz has written five acclaimed historical novels, served as project advisor for the PBS award-winning documentary Prince Among Slaves, and is currently producing a television series based on her latest book, The Awakening of Malcolm X, with Sony Pictures Television and Tri-Star. She also has a new book coming in 2026 with Legacy Lit at Hachette Book Group. We’ve invited her today to talk about a deeply meaningful upcoming event — a one-night-only celebration at Symphony Space in New York, honoring the 100th anniversary of Malcolm X’s birth.
On December 11, Symphony Space presents Malcolm X Centenary: A Celebration, led by journalist Jelani Cobb, featuring readings by Emmy Award–winning actor Joe Morton, and a dialogue with Pulitzer Prize winners Nikole Hannah-Jones and James Ijames, alongside Dr. Shabazz. The evening also celebrates the release of the newly updated edition of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Event Information:
🎟 Tickets & Details: https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/autobiography-malcolm-x-jelani-cobb
📅 Date: December 11
📍 Location: Symphony Space, New York City
You can connect with Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz at:
🌐 Website: www.ilyasahshabazz.com
📲 Socials: @ilyasahshabazz (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook)  

And later in today’s segment, for “What Is Philadelphia Reading”, we hear from Carla Clarkson, owner of The Link Hair Studio and founder of HoneyBlowout — a brand committed to healthy hair, confidence, and empowerment.
Find her at:
🌐 The Link Hair Studio: www.thelinkhairstudio.com
🌐 HoneyBlowout: www.honeyblowout.com
📲 Socials:
– Instagram: @thelinkhairstudio | @honeyblowout
– Facebook: The Link Hair Studio / HoneyBlowout  

Today we’re joined by Dr. Alycia Marshall, the newly appointed seventh president of Community College of Philadelphia. A mathematician, educator, and nationally respected community college leader, Dr. Marshall previously served as CCP’s provost and interim president. She steps into this role with a clear vision for expanding access, strengthening student success, and deepening the College’s impact across the city. Under her leadership, CCP continues to be a powerful engine of opportunity, workforce development, and economic mobility for Philadelphia’s diverse learners.
🌐 Community College of Philadelphia
Website: www.ccp.edu
Social Media: @CCPedu (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)

Today we’re joined by Dr. Alycia Marshall, the newly appointed seventh president of Community College of Philadelphia. A mathematician, educator, and nationally respected community college leader, Dr. Marshall previously served as CCP’s provost and interim president. She steps into this role with a clear vision for expanding access, strengthening student success, and deepening the College’s impact across the city. Under her leadership, CCP continues to be a powerful engine of opportunity, workforce development, and economic mobility for Philadelphia’s diverse learners.
🌐 Community College of Philadelphia
Website: www.ccp.edu
Social Media: @CCPedu (Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube)

The Affordable Care Act’s tax credits have made dependable health coverage possible for millions of families, seniors, patients, and small business owners. But those vital subsidies are set to expire unless Congress acts in the coming weeks. Today is Katie Berge, Senior Director of Federal Affairs at Blood Cancer United — formerly The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society — the largest global nonprofit supporting blood cancer patients through research, patient services, and strong federal advocacy. Katie also works closely with Keep Americans Covered, a national coalition fighting to preserve the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits to ensure coverage remains affordable for millions. She’s here to break down what’s at stake, who will be affected, and why this moment is so critical.
🌐 Learn More:
Keep Americans Covered — www.americanscovered.org
Blood Cancer United — www.bloodcancerunited.org
📱 BloodCancerU on X | @BloodCancerUnited on Instagram & Facebook