LISTEN: Note to Self — There Are Still Hostages

Activist Liz Hirsh Naftali was in Philly this week to speak at a screening of Sheryl Sandberg’s October 7 documentary Screams Before Silence. Her gripping family story and her fight to keep the hostages front of mind reminds us that human rights transcend politics

By Larry Platt

Guest Commentary: A Guide to Co-Creating Kensington’s Future

The executive director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation has spent years working to fix what ails his struggling yet resilient neighborhood. Here’s what his community needs

By Bill McKinney

“Love each other and raise our children.”

Reflecting on the power of James Baldwin’s timeless lessons in time for what would have been his 100th birthday.

By James Peterson

Citizen of the Week: Steve Stroiman

Every neighborhood should be as lucky to have a “non-leader” like the one who serves Cresheim Village Neighbors in Mount Airy (and who once taught Jewish studies to a teenage Josh Shapiro)

By Lauren McCutcheon

How To Really Run A City: A Special Episode on Citizenship

In the latest episode our podcast, former mayors Michael Nutter of Philadelphia and Kasim Reed of Atlanta revisit past guests for a reminder about what really matters in America today

10 Ways To Help Get Out the Vote

It’s all hands on deck this year to ensure Philadelphia voter turnout is the highest it can be. Here’s how you can help.

By Katherine Rapin and The Philadelphia Citizen Staff

Choose Democracy

The assault on the U.S. Capitol was a low point of our 248-year history. It’s time to pick a side: Are you for or against democracy?

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Citizen of the Week: Jacqueline “Jax” Cusack of Roxborough Development Corp

The new-ish head of the neighborhood group grew up caring for and communing with the region’s parks and waterways. Now she’s bringing her lifelong passion for the environment to bring more green to the Northwest Philly neighborhood

By Rachel Wisniewski

The Great School Vouchers Debate

Progressive Councilmembers Thomas, Gauthier, O'Rourke and Brooks protested them. Jay-Z begged to differ. And Mayor Parker tried to bring folks together. Who’s got students’ backs? A week on the frontlines of the school choice wars

By Larry Platt

RECAP: Let’s Save Democracy … Again!

The Citizen teamed up with Changing the Conversation to train volunteers on the power of deep canvassing — to boost voter turnout ahead of the 2024 presidential election

By Malcolm Burnley, Sarah Gross and Alexandra Katzen