Philly Rising: Difference Makers from KYW Newsradio

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From KYW Newsradio, these are the stories that highlight our region's grit and grace - ordinary people of Greater Philadelphia becoming difference makers.

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Episodes

Philly Rising: Syreeta Scott keeps salon workers paid, while waiting for relief

Syreeta Scott founded Duafe Holistic Hair Care in North Philadelphia nearly 20 years ago. During the coronavirus pandemic, her business is on pause. "The moment this happened I started applying for loans and grants. Have we been approved? Yes, we have. Has it hit my account? No, it hasn’t," Scott said. In the meantime, she has made some adjustments to continue serving her community and employees while the chairs are empty.

May 01, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Delco woman spearheads Facebook group to raise money to feed essential workers

It all started with one Facebook post. Dayna Cavanagh of Delaware County asked people to chip in to help send lunch to her mother’s hospital department on the frontlines of COVID-19. Read more here.

Apr 24, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: How one catering business went from almost closing down to preparing meals for essential workers, families

Alan Brody, owner of Bryce’s Catering Company in Wynnewood, says most of his employees have been with the company for a long time. But, like many other business owners in similar situations, the ripple effect from COVID-19 really hit home.

Apr 17, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Gregory Cooke

Gregory Cooke is a historian and filmmaker who's been on a decade-long mission to get a group of women their overdue honor and recognition — 600,000 Black "Rosie the Riveters."

Feb 28, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Danni Lewis

Danni Lewis doesn’t need Valentine’s Day to spread love — that’s what she does every day. She hand-writes inspirational messages on colorful cutouts shaped like hearts and passes them out to people around the city. "It's a mission. I was sent here to share love," she says.

Feb 14, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: 'Geography Lady' teaches kids about the world

Alycia Larson is known to hundreds of kids across Philadelphia as the “geography lady.” She’s like a modern-day Ms. Frizzle, but instead of a magic school bus, she carries around a “magic” suitcase that she uses to teach children about the world.

Jan 31, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Temple student living with disability defies stereotypes and limitations

"My disability is not a curse, it’s not a handicap. It’s a gift," says Shawn Aleong, who has cerebral palsy. The Temple University student has made a name for himself by using his voice to advocate for others with disabilities.

Jan 24, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Building sisterhoods and strengthening communities with Shanon Skipworth

In her non-profit, You're Beautifully Made, Shanon Skipworth has found her reason, and her calling. She began by mentoring girls from ages 10-18, teaching them self-esteem, etiquette, job readiness, entrepreneurship, and more skills they need to lead successful lives. Read more here.

Jan 17, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: From archaeologist to fitness studio owner, a look at Noel Davis' journey

Noel Davis' childhood dream was always to become an archaeologist. Eventually, that dream came true. The Rutgers graduate was able to take her love of digging overseas for excavating projects in Italy and England. But about a year into her first major project, things took a turn.

Jan 10, 2020•2 min

Philly Rising: Local sustainable clothing line puts compassion into fashion

Kimberly McGlonn, the founder of the sustainable clothing line Grant Blvd, is on a mission to change the way we consume fashion. While the cost of fashion is more affordable to Americans today, it comes at a price to the environment. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.

Dec 13, 2019•2 min

Philly Rising: Beyond the Bars uses music to break cycles of violence and incarceration

Beyond the Bars began as a free music program for juveniles in correctional facilities. It was created to offer an outlet for creativity and expression to those who needed it, and along the way, interrupt cycles of violence and incarceration.

Dec 10, 2019•2 min

Philly Rising: Insta-famous shelter cat shines light on more who need homes

Back in August, the Morris Animal Refuge tweeted a picture of a 26-pound cat that broke the internet and stole tens of thousands of hearts. Now Sarah and her husband Chris are the lucky couple who get to call Mr. B theirs. And they're using Mr. B's popularity to help more cats find homes.

Nov 22, 2019•2 min

Philly Rising: Documenting the power of community in "Expanding Sanctuary"

When Kristal Sotomayor began filming her documentary last year, she had no idea that she would be recording history. "I started this film with a camera, and that was it...and I had to borrow the tripod," she says. Sotomayor's parents immigrated from Peru, so she said she knew that she wanted to do something concerning immigration because she observed their struggles.

Nov 14, 2019•2 min

Philly Rising: 'A Cape for Candy'

Ella Stevens and Whimsy Mark-Ockerbloom are two teens with a big sense of humor, but they’ve accomplished something pretty serious that could have a positive impact for many people who are gender nonbinary — meaning people who don’t identify as male or female.

Nov 07, 2019•2 min

Philly Rising: Belmont Voices concert brings the showstopper out of students

Part of a West Philadelphia community is in for a treat every quarter at Belmont Charter School, where students from second to seventh grade get to explore their creativity by putting on a concert called Belmont Voices. As for the turnout? You have to hear it to believe it. KYW Newsradio's Antionette Lee has more.

Oct 31, 2019•2 min

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