Voice: Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

What to Do About the Covid Slide
The city has finally started planning for ways to help students make up for pandemic-related learning loss. But do we really want to just get back to normal?
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Citizen Recommends: Stitching Our Futures
Mural Arts’ participatory quilting project invites all of us to imagine—and create—a city budget that reflects who we want to be
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Can Free Cash Solve Philly’s Poverty Problem?
More than 30 cities, including ours, have signed on to give unrestricted cash payments to some residents this year. Is this a progressive fad or the way to really fix what ails us?
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
“Those Nerdy Girls” Explain The Pandemic to America
A volunteer team of women scientists, many from Philly, launched Dear Pandemic last year to spread real and clear information about Covid-19. They now speak to 1 million people a month.
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Fix: How To Reform The City Charter
Our Drexel class on rewriting Philly’s constitution last year produced dozens of ideas. Here are some of the best for changing the relationship between government and the governed.
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Choose Democracy
The assault on the U.S. Capitol yesterday was (let’s hope) the nadir of our 240 year history. It’s time to pick a side: Are you for or against democracy?
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
52 Small Ways To Make A Better Philly in 2021
Do one thing a week that makes you a better citizen of your city. Here, some ideas to get you started
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
Suck It, 2020!
A compendium of the things we cared about in a super crappy year
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy