Philadelphia Community Podcast

WDAS (WDAS-FM)
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Daily

Each week, Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks to community leaders and groups in the Philadelphia region about topics affecting our local communities and upcoming events. Insight airs Sunday on WDAS FM 6-7 am and 7-7:30 am on Power 99. What's Going On airs Sundays on Q102, ALT 104.5, and 1480 Breakthrough Radio.

  1. 3d ago

    What's Going On: What’s Going On: Inspiring Teachers, Empowering Survivors & Mothers Making Moves

    On What’s Going On  Loraine Ballard Morrill celebrates teachers, community service and the power of the arts. We spotlight local honorees of the iHeartMedia and Boost Mobile Thank a Teacher campaign: Christine Durante of Riverton Public School, Kashmir Fluellen of Camden Promise Charter, Chef Kenneth McDuffie of Simon Gratz Mastery Charter and Michael Winterbottom of Marple Newtown High School. They share their inspiration, their commitment to students and the lasting impact of great teaching.   Maria Macaluso, Executive Director of the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, discusses 50 years of supporting domestic violence survivors, essential services and ways to help. The Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala takes place Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 6–9 p.m., at The Highlands Mansion & Estate, 7001 Sheaff Lane, Fort Washington. Tickets are $150. Visit wcmontco.org for registration and information. The 24-hour hotline is 800-773-2424. Follow the Women’s Center on LinkedIn.   Singer-songwriter Suzann Christine, founder of SCH Creative & Performing Arts, previews the third annual Mothers Making Music and Moves, celebrating mothers in entertainment while supporting free youth arts programming and FLY—Forever Love Yourself. Hosted by Roxy Romeo, the fundraiser honors Aja Dantzler, Lady B, Mina SayWhat, Facetta Greene and Kerri Park Lennon. Join the celebration Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7–9 p.m., at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia. General admission is $35; VIP admission is $100, plus fees. Find tickets at schcapa.org. Visit suzannchristine.com and follow Instagram @suzannchristine and @theflystar.

  2. 3d ago

    Insight Pt. 2: Insight Pt. 2: Roots, Reinvention & Rhythm—Philly Voices Making Moves

    Loraine Ballard Morrill explores family legacy, second chances and the power of the arts with three Philadelphia changemakers. Author Rashida Jones-Aiken discusses her memoir, The Rhythm That Remained, and how grief led her to discover family history, explore her identity and establish Kiren House Publishing. Her Rhythm That Remained Book Experience takes place Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 3–7 p.m. at Jenice’s, 301 E. Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia, featuring conversation, storytelling and ancestry visuals. Web: kirenhousepublishing.com Socials: Instagram @kirenhousepublishing · Facebook Kiren House Publishing   Dr. Victoria Best, founder of Victoria Urban Outreach Tutoring Service (VUOTS), reflects on ten years of empowering Philadelphia youth and families, the documentary Empowering Voices: Youth Narratives, and an upcoming opportunity to explore record-clearing options. Presented with Community Legal Services, the free Record Clearing Clinic takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026 10 am to 2:00 pm at The Braid Mill, 441 High Street, Philadelphia. Web and registration: vuots.org · Register for the clinic   Singer-songwriter Suzann Christine, founder of SCH Creative & Performing Arts, previews the third annual Mothers Making Music and Moves, supporting free youth arts programming and FLY—Forever Love Yourself. Hosted by Power 99’s Roxy Romeo, the celebration honors Aja Dantzler, Lady B, Mina SayWhat, Facetta Greene and Kerri Park Lennon, with live performances, a panel conversation and resources for parents. The fundraiser takes place Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7–9 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia. General admission is $35; VIP admission is $100, plus fees. Web and tickets: schcapa.org · suzannchristine.com Socials: Instagram @suzannchristine · @theflystar

  3. 3d ago

    Insight Pt. 1: Marian and Paul: The Music and the Oration

    Loraine Ballard Morrill talks with Jillian Patricia Pirtle, CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society, and Azsherae Gary of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Paul Robeson House & Museum, about preserving the legacies of two extraordinary artists and civil rights champions. They preview Marian and Paul: The Music and the Oration, a tribute concert bringing Marian Anderson’s and Paul Robeson’s stories to life through music and historic speeches. Proceeds benefit both museums. The concert takes place Friday, October 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Settlement Music Hall, 416 Queen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Tickets are $40.   For tickets and information, visit marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com or call 215-779-4219. Explore the museums and their programs at marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com and paulrobesonhouse.org. Follow: Facebook National Marian Anderson Museum · Facebook Paul Robeson House & Museum · Instagram @robesonhousephl

  4. Oct 1

    What's Going On: What’s Going On: Play for Parks, Help Hope Live & 50 Years of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund

    Fairmount Park Conservancy CEO Tony Sorrentino reflects on his first year leading the organization and shares fall programs that bring recreation, wellness and community connection to Philadelphia’s parks. We also discuss Play for Parks, a free celebration on Friday, October 16, from 7–9 p.m. at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain in West Fairmount Park. Enjoy Chill Moody’s Klubbhouse, special guests, local vendors and a fireworks finale at 8:50 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Find the fall calendar at myphillypark.org. Follow @myphillypark on Instagram and Fairmount Park Conservancy on Facebook and LinkedIn.   How can families facing a medical crisis manage the overwhelming out-of-pocket costs that insurance doesn’t cover? Kelly L. Green, Executive Director of Help Hope Live, joins us to discuss how the national nonprofit helps families fundraise for medical expenses while providing personalized support and resources.   We also preview Help Hope Live’s 14th Annual Live It Up! Gala, Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 6–9 p.m. at The Drexelbrook, 4700 Drexelbrook Drive in Drexel Hill, PA. The evening features dinner, an open bar, silent auction and the Help Hope Live Awards, while raising funds to support the organization’s mission. Web: HelpHopeLive.org Socials: Facebook, Instagram & X @HelpHopeLiveOrg · LinkedIn Help Hope Live · TikTok & YouTube @HelpHopeLive.   Finally we speak to  Peggy Dolan, Founder of the Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund, and Danielle Griffith, Executive Director, as the organization celebrates 50 years of helping families caring for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Since its founding, the Fund has helped more than 50,000 families and paid more than $10 million in essential bills. The conversation also explores new initiatives including ExchangeABLE, which redistributes adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, and Unity Sports, an inclusive soccer program pairing children with disabilities with student-athlete buddies. The Kelly Anne Dolan Memorial Fund will mark its milestone anniversary with Foodies & Philanthropy, Thursday, October 9, 2026, at Lilah in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia. Proceeds benefit families served by the Fund.    https://dolanfund.org/

  5. Oct 1

    Insight Pt. 2: Philly Parks, Black Teachers & Frankie Darcell’s Breast Cancer Journey

    Fairmount Park Conservancy CEO Tony Sorrentino reflects on his first year leading the organization and shares fall programs that bring recreation, wellness and community connection to Philadelphia’s parks. We also discuss Play for Parks, a free celebration on Friday, October 16, from 7–9 p.m. at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain in West Fairmount Park. Enjoy Chill Moody’s Klubbhouse, special guests, local vendors and a fireworks finale at 8:50 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Find the fall calendar at myphillypark.org. Follow @myphillypark on Instagram and Fairmount Park Conservancy on Facebook and LinkedIn. My iHeartMedia colleague - WDAS FM’s Frankie Darcell shares her breast cancer journey, why she founded Sista Strut, and her message to Black women about mammograms and protecting their breast health. Find a location or schedule a screening with iHeartMedia partner Solis Mammography at SolisMammo.com, or call 866-717-2551. If you have a breast symptom, call to ask about a diagnostic appointment.   We explore the impact of Black teachers, the power of Philadelphia’s parks to connect communities, and a personal call to prioritize breast health. I talk with Sharif El-Mekki, founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, about why Black teachers matter and how to build the next generation of educators. We preview the 9th Annual Black Men in Education Convening, November 13–15, 2026, at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street. This year’s theme is “Rooted in History: Constructing the Next 100 Years of Education.” Information and registration: thecenterblacked.org. Follow Instagram @centerblacked and Facebook Center for Black Educator Development. #BMEC2026

  6. Oct 1

    Insight Pt .1: VLS Journeys with Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati

    On VLS Journeys, we explore Black creativity through comic books and contemporary dance.I talk with Sean Quimby, Associate Vice Provost and Director of Penn’s Kislak Center, about The Black Hero’s Journey, an exhibition tracing the evolution of Black comic book characters and creators—from harmful stereotypes to groundbreaking superheroes—and their connections to Philadelphia.Exhibition: October 15, 2026–May 13, 2027, at the Goldstein Gallery, sixth floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, excluding holidays and library closures. Bring a valid government- or school-issued photo ID with an expiration date. Opening festivities include a conversation with Christian Cooper on October 15, 6–8 p.m., and a Family and Community Day on October 31, noon–3 p.m.Web: library.upenn.edu/exhibits/black-heros-journey Socials: Instagram @upennlib · Facebook Penn Libraries · LinkedIn Penn Libraries. For her feature "What is Philadelphia Reading" Vanesse speaks to Bernard H. Gaddis, founder and artistic director of Contemporary West Dance Theatre, now based in Philadelphia and celebrating its 19th year. A Philadelphia native whose professional career began with PHILADANCO, Gaddis shares his journey in dance, the company’s move from Nevada, and his dedication to developing dancers through decades of teaching ballet and the Horton modern technique nationally and internationally.

  7. Oct 1

    Insight Spotlight: Frankie Darcell’s Breast Cancer Journey - Extended Version

    A mammogram can find breast cancer before symptoms appear but making that appointment can be easy to put off. WDAS FM’s Frankie Darcell knows how personal this issue is. She joins me to share her breast cancer journey, why she founded Sista Strut, and her message to Black women about protecting their breast health. For listeners: Find a location or schedule a screening mammogram at iheart media partner  SolisMammo.com, or call 866-717-2551. Anyone with a breast symptom should call to ask about a diagnostic appointment rather than book a routine screening online.

  8. Sep 25

    Insight Pt. 2: A Musical Journey to Freedom, New Resources in N. Philly and Black-Tie GayBINGO!

    This week, we spotlight Philadelphia organizations and changemakers using the arts, community investment and celebration to make a difference. Kofi Asanté, Executive Producer of No Longer Bound – The Musical, shares how music, dance and storytelling bring the African American journey from enslavement to freedom to the stage. The production comes to the Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center, October 11 at 4 p.m. Web: nolongerboundthemusical.com   Then, Nikki Bagby of North10 Philadelphia and Jennifer Bilotta of Comcast discuss a partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers bringing expanded digital access, technology, workforce development and community resources to North Philadelphia. Web: www.north10phl.org  www.comcast/76erNorth10 Partnership Social: @n10_phl | @Comcast | @Sixers Finally, Mary Evelyn Torres, Executive Director of Action Wellness, previews Black-Tie GayBINGO!, Saturday, October 3 at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel. The signature fundraiser supports Action Wellness programs serving people living with or at risk for HIV. Web/Tickets: www.actionwellness.org Social: @ActionWellnessPHL

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Each week, Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks to community leaders and groups in the Philadelphia region about topics affecting our local communities and upcoming events. Insight airs Sunday on WDAS FM 6-7 am and 7-7:30 am on Power 99. What's Going On airs Sundays on Q102, ALT 104.5, and 1480 Breakthrough Radio.

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