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Iron Sharpens Iron

Iron Sharpens Iron

By Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations

Iron Sharpens Iron is a podcast where veteran community organizers Leon Robinson and De'Wayne Drummond interview Philadelphians organizing for change in their neighborhoods. Iron Sharpens Iron is produced by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations.
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Accra Zuberi from University City Arts League discusses the goal of neighbors experiencing peace together

Iron Sharpens IronFeb 13, 2023

00:00
04:42
 Matthew George of Germantown at the Germantown United CDC

Matthew George of Germantown at the Germantown United CDC

Matthew George is the Business Development Manager at Germantown United CDC and founder of I Love Thy Hood. In this mini episode, he discusses his goal to clean up his corridor in Germantown and all that he has done so far to make it happen.

About Germantown United CDC

Germantown United CDC is a community-based nonprofit organization serving Northwest Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhood. Our work is centered on commercial corridor revitalization and community economic development. We offer programs that support the local business community and neighborhood residents. Our mission is to promote and facilitate the revitalization of Germantown and its business corridors through a sustainable, creative, and community-driven approach to economic development.

About I Love Thy Hood

I Love Thy Hood seeks to educate the community on the importance of keeping our cities and streets clean. With the splash of an orange trash can, we strive to enrich residents and neighborhoods alike with more options of recycling and waste management while bringing everyone together to help those in their hood.

TRANSCRIPTION (via Otter.ai)

Feb 28, 202308:17
Accra Zuberi from University City Arts League discusses the goal of neighbors experiencing peace together

Accra Zuberi from University City Arts League discusses the goal of neighbors experiencing peace together

Accra Zuberi is the Outreach and Partnerships Manager for University City Arts League. Accra discusses the process of creating art pieces with participants to really think about how we work together as a community, how we are making connections, and the goal of neighbors experiencing peace together.


About University City Art League

The University City Arts League is a non-profit organization dedicated to intergenerational education and cultural enrichment in the arts. Their primary goals are:

  • To provide a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to experience the arts
  • To encourage and support the development of the arts
  • To bring the arts to the community through partnerships and educational outreach

TRANSCRIPTION (via Otter.ai)

Feb 13, 202304:42
Lizette Lewis of New Kensington Community Development Corporation talks about giving healthcare workers access to resources to take back their communities

Lizette Lewis of New Kensington Community Development Corporation talks about giving healthcare workers access to resources to take back their communities

Lizette Lewis is a Project Manager at New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC). In this mini episode, Lizette discusses giving healthcare workers access to resources to take back to their communities.

About New Kensington Community Development Corporation

New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC) is a different kind of nonprofit. We are community-driven, trauma-informed, and equity-focused.

We provide a wide range of services—real estate development, housing counseling, small business assistance, corridor cleaning, workforce development, nutrition education, community health resources—to residents and businesses across the Kensington, Port Richmond, and Fishtown neighborhoods of Philadelphia. We offer housing services city-wide. NKCDC advances social equity & economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live in, and actively shape, their neighborhoods of choice. NKCDC advances social equity & economic empowerment by nurturing and creating opportunities for residents to live in, and actively shape, their neighborhoods of choice.


TRANSCRIPTION (via Otter.ai)

Feb 02, 202307:08
Gloria Maria Cartagena Hart "Smooches" discusses healing through trauma
Jan 24, 202304:04
Pam Bridgeforth of Camden Repertory Theatre talks about building community

Pam Bridgeforth of Camden Repertory Theatre talks about building community

Pam Bridgeforth is Managing Director of Camden Repertory Theatre and former Director of Programs for the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. In this mini episode, Pam talks with Leon and De'Wayne about building community and poetry.


About Camden Repertory Theatre

Camden Rep was founded by Desi P. Shelton, a Camden, NJ native, in 2005 and initiated their inaugural season in August 2006. While working on her MFA at Sarah Lawrence College, Desi noticed the urban female voice was missing from the theatrical canon. Upon returning to Camden, residents began building on her premonition expressing to her they were not welcome at the local university venues and did not have an artistic home nor outlet in Camden, thus leaving their stories untold. This prompted Desi to begin Camden Rep. After encouragement from her Executive Director at the Walt Whitman Arts Center, Pamela Bridgeforth, she branched out and launched Camden Rep initially under the umbrella of the Walt Whitman Arts Center. In 2008, the organization stepped out on faith, clipped their wings, and began soaring independently.

The main stage season operates from September-June utilizing the summer months to focus on training and developing serious pre-professional young artists. These young artists also prepare for college auditions and receive assistance with the application process. Although the focus is on Camden City youth our success has attracted students from the entire Camden County region. The company also conducts intergenerational arts workshops during the summer where artists range from 8-80.

Since 2006 Camden Rep continues to successfully make monumental strides: touring in Panama; creating an alliance with Bridgeton’s Youth to Youth; assisting students in obtaining scholarships to two of the top music programs including Oberlin Conservatory and Berklee College of Music in addition to Florida A&M, Morgan State University, University of the Arts and Temple University.

Camden professional and community artists and the citizens are the primary focus of the work of Camden Rep. However the high artistic aesthetic continues to attract people from the Delaware Valley because minority artists can consistently obtain and develop their work at the company.

Transcription: https://otter.ai/u/0yr1r-KWepSP72EUGm6bAucaqpY

Jan 17, 202309:34
Love us or leave us alone! Poetry and empowerment with Trapeta Mayson

Love us or leave us alone! Poetry and empowerment with Trapeta Mayson

In this mini-episode, Iron Sharpens Iron hosts Leon and De'Wayne interview former Philadelphia poet laureate, Trapeta Mayson. She reads from her original poem, "In Spite of It All"

Jan 10, 202303:20
Chris Spahr of Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation talks about the need for safe, clean housing for all

Chris Spahr of Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation talks about the need for safe, clean housing for all

Chris Spahr, Executive Director of the Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation, defines affordable housing as housing that can be made available to anyone and everyone no matter their economic status.


About Centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation 

Our mission is to preserve, promote and revitalize East Parkside through partnerships with businesses and institutions and programs that engage residents, increase opportunity, and grow a diverse, thriving community. We are a governing body made up of the residents and existing organizations to progress community development goals in addition to including new initiatives around healthy living, civic engagement and the arts giving the community new life strengthening the community’s identity and connectivity to Fairmount Park. We hold regular monthly meetings and the community is welcome to attend. Contact Us


TRANSCRIPTION


Leon Robinson 0:00 Hi my name is Leon Robinson and I'm here with my co partner D'wayne Drummond. And we're here with Iron Sharpens Iron. And today our guest is, Could you introduce yourself?

Chris Spahr 0:21 Sure, my name is Chris Spahr, and I'm the Executive Director of the centennial Parkside Community Development Corporation. Well, great. Okay.

De'Wayne Drummond 0:27 I got a question. What is affordable housing?

Chris Spahr 0:32 Oh, that's a good question. First of all, we just want to thank you, Leon and Dwayne for letting me be a part of this. I love your guys' show. And what is affordable housing? I think affordable housing is housing that can be made available to anyone and everyone no matter their economic status. That means a lot of different things, depending on a lot of different neighborhoods. We know that in Philadelphia, we have a big affordable housing issue, and that we have lots of lots of market rate housing being built across the city. But when it comes to affordable housing, due to the cost of construction and the lack of real subsidies, it's very hard to build it at the same pace as market rate housing. And so we have a lot of folks who are finding that they can't, they can't find housing that suits their economic means. And I really honestly think that housing is a human right. And that housing should be available to anybody, no matter what their economic means. And not only just housing, but housing that is safe, that is healthy, that is sustainable, and that folks never have to worry about losing

Leon Robinson 1:44 secondary, secondary. How does equitable development plays a part in your work experience?

Chris Spahr 1:51 Well, I think it's directly related to the question you previously asked me about affordable housing, I think, you know, there's different kinds of development and development can be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. I think that Development Act that is equitable, is development that raises up everybody in the community. So it's not just just helping a certain few, but it's helping everybody, especially the people who have lived and fought for that neighborhood. For decades, it is housing that it is development and housing and commercial spaces that support the existing community, and create space for everyone, no matter their economic means or status. Okay, what is a bad when you say, it's a good thing and a bad thing? What is some of the examples of a bad? That's a great question, I think development that is not inclusive of the needs of the community. So, you know, we know that we work in a capitalist society, and real estate development is certainly a way that folks can make good money off of and there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, that is why there's programs out there to train our, our, our residents, and our neighbors and our communities to be able to get into real estate developmen

Jan 04, 202306:02
Oneido Luis, of LISC Philly talks about sharing wisdom

Oneido Luis, of LISC Philly talks about sharing wisdom

In this episode, Leon and De'Wayne interview Oneido Luis, Assistant Program Officer for Equitable Neighborhoods for LISC Philly. Oneido discusses with the hosts the sharing of wisdom and meeting agents of change in Philadelphia.

About LISC Philly:

As an intermediary and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we support community-based organizations (CBOs) and residents to transform disinvested neighborhoods. Alongside residents and partners, LISC catalyzes resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America –great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

In Philadelphia

Across the city and region, decades of intentional disinvestment and systematic barriers have created inequitable futures for our neighbors. For over 40 years, LISC has worked with partners to reduce and prevent inequities across systems that impact well-being. Our approach is comprehensive, effective and—most importantly—rooted in what neighbors want for themselves, their families and the places they call home.

TRANSCRIPTION

Leon Robinson 0:10 Good afternoon. My name is Leon Robinson and I welcome you to iron sharpens iron. And today I guess is could you introduce yourself?

Oneido Luis 0:17 Absolutely. My name is Oneido Luis and I'm an Assistant Program Officer with Local Initiative Support Corporation. Otherwise known as LISC.

Leon Robinson 0:27 Oh, great,great, great. Great. So welcome to On sharpens on that my first question to you is what is equitable development to you?

Oneido Luis 0:35 You know, it's my nine to five job. And it's, it's, I think, a philosophy as well, a way of realizing the best aspects of community development. And to qualify that a little bit more is it involves and it implies involvement from the community. But not just involvement, but power being held by the community in decision making, in planning and an implementation.

De'Wayne Drummond 1:08 Okay, great, great deal. Real familiar. How're you doing? My name is Wayne from and I am one of the cohorts of iron sharpens iron. And what brought you to this conference today?

Oneido Luis 1:17 Well, you know, I could say, my company helped pay for it. So no, I think I came to this conference today, because it was a really great opportunity to meet just the other players, change agents, just folks involved in community development, all around Philly. And as someone who's not originally from Philadelphia, but certainly cares about the city, a lot cares about the communities in the city. And you know, does this again, as a as a job. I thought it was just critical to be here to have these kinds of conversations and just learn and make connections.

Leon Robinson 1:53 So I could say you kind of love your job.

Oneido Luis 1:56 I do. I do care about it. Yeah. Okay.

De'Wayne Drummond 1:59 and what do you say the name of the company you work for? What is the call? I know you gave us acronyms, but what does it stand for?

Oneido Luis 2:06 Yeah, you know, it stands for local initiatives, support Corporation.

De'Wayne Drummond 2:11 Right Is your question. What does iron sharpening iron means to you?

Oneido Luis 2:19 In my opinion, if I'm not mistaken, it's a biblical, yes, it originates from a biblical verse it is, um, for me personally, it is, it almost comes back to the like, sharing of knowledge or wisdom, if you will, you know, you can make something a lot sharper. If when two things are, you know, able to, I think kind of collaborate, even though we may not think of two kind of iron sharpening each other as a collaboration. But I think of it in that sense,

De'Wayne Drummond 2:49 okay. Okay, handle dough. Nice around here. Gotta be sharp. Gotta be sharp,

Leon Robinson 2:54 especially when you're teaching. Yeah. Well, we

De'Wayne Drummon

Dec 23, 202203:24
Mary Campbell, The Housing Oprah: Everybody Gets A House

Mary Campbell, The Housing Oprah: Everybody Gets A House

Mary Campbell, Director of Housing Services at New Kensington CDC joins hosts Leon Robinson and De’Wayne Drummond to talk about the many layers of what it means to be a housing counselor, the critical role of these advocates, and the need for more supports for affordable, stable housing and opportunities for home ownership. Mary has seen it all, been it all, and supports Philadelphians on their path to home ownership, fights for citizens to stay in their homes, and for the policies, programs and funding to create safe, stable housing for all.

Mary Campbell is the Director of Housing Services at NKCDC. Mary became a Housing Counselor in 1986. She has over 30 years of experience in counseling families with real estate and housing  services. Mary has been employed with New Kensington CDC since July 10, 2017. Prior to her employment at NKCDC, Mary led a team of Housing Counselors as their supervisor at lntercultural Family Services from 2008 until 2017. She earned an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from Kaplan University in 2011. Mary is a HUD Certified Housing Counselor, and a certified practitioner through NeighborWorks of America in the areas of: Homeownership Counseling for Program Managers and Executive Directors, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Foreclosure Intervention & Default Counseling, Post Purchase Counseling, Rental Counseling, and Financial Capabilities Counseling/ Coaching. It is Mary's mission to ensure fair and equal housing access to all members of every community.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/13_Mary-Campbell_Transcription-2.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Jul 21, 202246:60
A Multi-Tiered Approach to Public Safety with Rikeyah Lindsay

A Multi-Tiered Approach to Public Safety with Rikeyah Lindsay

On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron,” Leon and De’Wayne speak with Rikeyah Lindsay, the Safety and Justice Coordinator at Mount Vernon Manor CDC in Mantua. Tackling issues from pedestrian safety to gun violence, Rikeyah, De’Wayne, and Leon dive into what it means to support safety in the city block by block. They discuss how the prevention of violence is just as important as interventions to reduce violence in neighborhood, and explore the critical role block captains play in supporting safety, justice and community joy. 

Rikeyah Lindsay is the Safety and Justice Coordinator at Mount Vernon Manor CDC (MVM)  in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Mantua. In her role at MVM, Rikeyah leads efforts to improve neighborhood safety, nourish individual and community-wide healing from violence and trauma, and support the personal development and capacities of West Philadelphia residents. Before coming to MVM, Rikeyah worked as a Family Navigator with Action for Early Learning, where she helped parents gain critical information about early education for their children. A lifelong member of the Mantua community, Rikeyah is also a member of the Mantua Urban Peace Garden, the Friends of the Mantua Greenway, and serves as a block leader on the 3800 block of Aspen Street. Rikeyah is a dedicated mother of one, with a passion for youth outreach and community engagement.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/12_-Rikeyah-Lindsay-Transcription.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Mar 30, 202230:32
How Did We Get Here? Affordable Housing Policy with Andy Toy

How Did We Get Here? Affordable Housing Policy with Andy Toy

On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Leon and De’Wayne sit down with Andy Toy, Policy Director at PACDC. Amidst a season of tragedy surrounding affordable housing during the harshest weather season of the year, Andy talks about what has caused our affordable housing crisis, the pros and cons of Accessory Dwelling Units, and some of the housing victories we have seen locally. 

Andy Toy is the Policy Director at PACDC, where he chairs the Housing Committee among many other things. Andy is recognized as a thought leader and innovator when it comes to community and economic development. Andy’s policy and advocacy work has included efforts to ensure everyone has a voice in their community. He founded United Voices for Philadelphia and still engages in voter registration and voting advocacy. Andy also helped garner support for our public schools by founding the Philadelphia Public School Giving Circle and serving on the Philadelphia Public School Notebook. Andy was an appointee on the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission where he championed mixed income zoning policies as well as Accessory Dwelling Units. In 2006, Andy was selected as one of the top 101 Connectors in Philadelphia, and in 2021, he was named to Pennsylvania’s inaugural 50 Over 50 list by AARP and City&State.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/How-Did-We-Get-Here_-Affordable-Housing-Policy-with-Andy-Toy_otter_ai.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Feb 24, 202236:54
Being a Vision of Hope: Community Mental Health and Wellness with Brenda Mosley

Being a Vision of Hope: Community Mental Health and Wellness with Brenda Mosley

This episode contains content around addiction and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised.

On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Brenda Mosley shares what she has learned about mental health and community wellness. A well-known organizer and connector in Kensington, Ms. Brenda also won PACDC's 2021 Community Leader Award!

Check out this episode to hear:

  • What led Ms. Brenda to embrace her own healing 30 years ago
  • How Ms. Brenda builds relationships with people in crisis
  • Why safety plans are essential for today's community organizers

Brenda Mosley is a key figure in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. After entering recovery in 1991, Ms. Brenda received her GED at age 39. She continued in her education to receive her bachelor’s from Temple University and became a Registered Nurse. After getting connected to someone who worked at New Kensington Community Development Corporation (NKCDC), Ms. Brenda was invited to join the first class of NKCDC’s Community Health Workers. From there, she and several other women from that first class worked with Impact Services to develop a trauma-informed care curriculum that now guides NKCDC’s community development work. In 2021, Ms. Brenda received the Community Leader Award by PACDC. That same year she launched her own nonprofit, By Faith, Health and Healing Inc., which offers support groups for mothers with special needs children, loss of loved ones, and stress-related issues.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Brenda-Mosley.pdf

Listeners can access the Trauma Informed Community Development Curriculum developed in partnership with NKCDC and Impact Services here: https://www.traumainformedcommunity.org/

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth


Nov 22, 202132:14
We’re Talking Community, Culture, and Kindness with Iris Melendez
Oct 05, 202120:00
Rule #1: You Will See Them Again with Cynthia Barnes

Rule #1: You Will See Them Again with Cynthia Barnes

Leon and De’Wayne dive deep into Cynthia Barnes’ 30 plus years of community organizing in Nicetown-Tioga. Cynthia shares how she became an accidental organizer while her children were in preschool, what it’s like to do community engagement during COVID, and why she believes that anger is not met with understanding. Cynthia also gives a crash course on negotiating community benefits agreements and what she’s learned about collaboration in the process.
Cynthia Barnes has been a resident leader in the Nicetown-Tioga neighborhood for more than thirty years. As Chair of the Nicetown-Tioga Improvement Team (NTIT), Cynthia has ensured that development projects are responsive to community needs. She also convenes monthly meetings essential to neighborhood planning and building social capital among residents, businesses, and community organizations. Cynthia represents NTIT on the Broad-Germantown-Erie Collaborative, a coalition of community groups in North Philadelphia that has negotiated community benefits agreements for several, large-scale developments in the area. Among other achievements, Cynthia helped transform a vacant half-block property into the 11th street playground and spearheaded partnerships to create vibrant green spaces in Nicetown-Tioga. Cynthia works for the Mayor's Office of Civic Engagement and Volunteer Service and received PACDC’s 2021 Community Leader Award.
Episode Transcript Available Here:
pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Cynthia-A-Barnes_Iron-Sharpens-Iron_-Season-2_-Episode-1-Transcript.pdf
Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth
Sep 06, 202141:41
Equitable Development Conference Special Episode!

Equitable Development Conference Special Episode!

Cass Green of New Kensington CDC and Somaly Osteen of SEAMAAC are joining Leon and De'Wayne for a very frank conversation on race and community organizing. This conversation took place as part of PACDC's Forward Equitable Development Conference. 

Cass Green is currently Project Manager for New Kensington CDC, HACE and Impact Services' DOJ-Community-Based Crime Reduction Grant (CBCR) in the Kensington and Fairhill neighborhoods. She previously served as People’s Emergency Center CDC’s Director of Community Engagement & Partnerships. Cass’s career includes 27 years at the University of Pennsylvania, including serving as the Senior Business and Building Administrator for the Institute of Contemporary Art-ICA for 17 years. She is a multi-disciplinary artist, curator, and producer of the “Mill Creek Past, Present and Future” documentary. Cass co-founded the Mill Creek Community Partnership (MCCP) in 2004 and serves as its president along with having established the Fine Arts Through Our Eyes Community Arts Initiative in 2005.

Somaly Osteen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Tourism Management. She has more than ten years of experience working for multiple local and international non-profit organizations. Somaly’s career started in the country of Cambodia while taking part as a community advocate, community engagement, and development. Somaly currently serves as a Community Development Specialist/Corridor Manager with SEAMAAC, Inc. She works with a diverse community filled with immigrants and refugees located in South Philadelphia to build a strong local economy while helping community to be a better place for everyone. The focus with the community has been to partner with different resources to strategically cater to the community’s needs and issues. Somaly believes that sustainable development starts with each individual while sustainable change comes through unity.

Episode Transcript Available Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Cass-Green-and-Somaly-Osteen.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Jun 16, 202159:18
Doing Good, Being Kind, and Spreading Love with Terrill Haigler aka YaFavTrashman

Doing Good, Being Kind, and Spreading Love with Terrill Haigler aka YaFavTrashman

On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Leon and De’Wayne talk trash, advocacy, and civic engagement with Terrill Haigler a.k.a. YaFavTrashman. Terrill shares why he launched the YaFavTrashman Instagram account last June, what it’s like to be a new community organizer, and why he’s so passionate about building relationships with people in positions of power. From fundraising for PPE to organizing block clean ups, Terrill is all about doing good, being kind, and spreading love!

Episode Transcript Available Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Terrill-Haigler_-Episode-6.pdf

Terrill Haigler is a Philadelphia sanitation worker who has become a Philly favorite during the pandemic. As trash piled up across our neighborhoods last spring and summer, Terrill took to Instagram to explain why trash was running late and what’s it like to be a trash man during COVID-19. Since then, Terrill has raised thousands of dollars to purchase PPE for sanitation workers, organized food drives, arranged neighborhood clean ups and more.

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

May 20, 202138:38
Digital Organizing and the Power of Influence with Rasheed Ajamu aka PhreedomJawn

Digital Organizing and the Power of Influence with Rasheed Ajamu aka PhreedomJawn

On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Leon and De’Wayne are joined by Rasheed Ajamu aka PhreedomJawn on Instagram and Twitter! Rasheed talks about what it is like to have over 40,000 followers across platforms, and how to mobilize Philadelphians to certain actions, while also making time for rest and self care. Together, they discuss what the next generation of community organizing can and does look like with the power of social media.

Episode Transcript Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Episode-5_-Rasheed-Ajamu.pdf

Rasheed Ajamu is the person behind Philly’s favorite Instagram account Phreedom Jawn. This account calls people to action, promotes mutual aids, keeps the city informed with news and resources, and educates the city on the intersections of Blackness. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Rasheed has a passion for seeing our city move forward. After volunteering with a Germantown Soup Kitchen at the age of 11, Rasheed attended Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice to explore community service. A La Salle University graduate, Rasheed currently works at a community development organization to connect residents with housing resources. 

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Apr 12, 202124:45
Let’s Circle Up: Relationship Building, Empowerment, and Fatherhood with Derrick Pratt

Let’s Circle Up: Relationship Building, Empowerment, and Fatherhood with Derrick Pratt

On this episode of Iron Sharpens Iron, Leon and De’Wayne catch up with Derrick Pratt. During his interview, Derrick describes his childhood down the Bottom and how he followed in his mother and grandmothers’ footsteps as a community organizer. Across all of his experiences - Community Connectors Manager at People’s Emergency Center, Owner at PCRADIOLIVE.COM, Co-Founder of We Embrace Fatherhood - Derrick knows the power of bringing like minded people together to bring out the best in their communities.

Episode Transcript Available Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Derrick-PlattFC-1.pdf

Derrick Pratt is Owner and Program Director at PCRADIOLIVE.COM and a lifelong resident, property owner, and business owner in the Mantua section of Philadelphia. He has long embraced his civic responsibilities. He is a Co-Founder of WeEmbraceFatherhood.org. As a community leader and role model, he prides himself in his ability to give a resounding voice to those individuals who at times feel voiceless. Over the years, he has facilitated countless education and life skills workshops, criminal record expungement clinics, roundtable discussions, and a host of health, fitness, and sports clinics. Derrick's motto is, "Why should you be content being a product of your environment, when it’s so much more fulfilling to be productive in your environment?”

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth


Feb 01, 202131:29
 She Wears Many Hats: Block Leadership and Civic Engagement with Jen Devor

She Wears Many Hats: Block Leadership and Civic Engagement with Jen Devor

On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron,” Leon and De’Wayne sit down with South Philly block captain and civic enthusiast, Jen Devor. During their conversation, Jen shares what it’s like to be an active Philadelphian in what she calls an owner-operated city. From her work on the island of Point Breeze all the way to her citywide campaign for public office in 2019, Jen believes that being a good listener and making people feel heard are the secrets to building authentic relationships that stand the test of time… and neighborhood feuds.

Episode Transcript Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Episode-2_-Jen-Devor.pdf

Jen Devor is a South Philly block captain, committeeperson, public school advocate, voting enthusiast, and a published author on civic engagement. She recently co-founded the nonpartisan nonprofit Better Civics. Prior to launching Better Civics, Jen was a 2019 candidate for City Commissioner, the office that oversees election activity in Philadelphia. A Philly resident since 2002, she has held leadership positions at Campus Philly, Diversified Community Services, Neighbors Investing in Childs Elementary, and Committee of Seventy among others. Currently, Jen serves on the Community Advisory Boards of WHYY, DiSilvestro Recreation Center and Vote16USA, a national nonpartisan effort to lower the voting age. She lives in Point Breeze with her husband, Tivoni Devor and together they have a daughter who has been canvassing with her mom since she was a newborn.

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Feb 01, 202135:15
On the Ground Against Gentrification with Iliana Dominguez-Franco

On the Ground Against Gentrification with Iliana Dominguez-Franco

On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron” De’Wayne and Leon are joined by Iliana Dominguez-Franco, the Director of Sustainable Community Initiative at Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) in North Philadelphia. Iliana explains how her roots and growing up in Los Angeles to immigrant parents led her to her current role and community in Philadelphia. Together, De’Wayne, Leon and Iliana explore how strong community organizing against gentrification is not a formula, it is done by building relationships and being on the ground. 

Episode Transcript Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Iliana-Dominguez-Franco.pdf

Iliana Dominguez-Franco is the Director of Sustainable Community Initiatives at Asociacion Puertorriqueños en Marcha (APM) primarily focusing on the implementation of APM's recent community plans. In this role Iliana also serves to support visions of community leaders and provide enriching experiences for youth and young adults in the neighborhood to learn and grow through a leadership development program, Community Connectors. The intergenerational team works closely with the Director to inform, conceptualize, and implement projects throughout the Eastern North Philadelphia.

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Feb 01, 202157:26
Passing the Baton: Creative Approaches to the Future of Community Organizing with Majeedah Rashid

Passing the Baton: Creative Approaches to the Future of Community Organizing with Majeedah Rashid

On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron” De’Wayne and Leon are joined by Majeedah Rashid, the Chief Operating Officer at Nicetown Community Development Corporation. Majeedah, a veteran community organizer, explains how she got her start in the early 2000s and her resident driven approach to community organizing. Reflecting on the last 20 years, Majeedah explores with Leon and De’Wayne new creative approaches to bring the younger generation into community organizing, Neighborhood Advisory Committees (NACs), and block captain positions to pass the baton from the older generation of organizers to the next generation. 

Episode Transcript Here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Majeedah-Rashid.pdf

Majeedah Rashid is Chief Operating Officer of Nicetown Community Development Corporation, which serves Nicetown and surrounding communities through the development and repair of affordable homes, commercial corridor revitalization, open space management, supportive services, and community outreach and engagement. She joined Nicetown CDC in 2002 while studying community economic development from a resident-driven perspective at Southern New Hampshire University’s CED Master’s Program. Majeedah also serves as the Lead for Community Engagement on two Rebuild projects, for which the Nicetown CDC is the Project User. Majeedah serves on the Philadelphia Land Bank Board, LaSalle University President’s Community Advisory Council, and is a member of the North Philly Collective, in collaboration with Temple University & Health System. Majeedah is currently Vice President of the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations Board.

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth

Feb 01, 202133:56
Coming Soon: Iron Sharpens Iron

Coming Soon: Iron Sharpens Iron

Leon Robinson and De'Wayne Drummond are Philadelphia community organizers on a mission to empower grassroots organizers with the skills and tools they need to succeed. With Iron Sharpens Iron - an original podcast from the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations - they aim to build a network of Philadelphians making a difference in their neighborhoods. In each episode, Leon and De'Wayne will interview their peers about what's happening in their communities, what they're doing to change the status quo, and what they've learned in the process. Leon and De'Wayne believe that, "As Iron Sharpens Iron, so one person sharpens another," and they hope to become sharper with every conversation.

  • Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard
  • Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa
  • Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth 
Jan 12, 202102:54