Citizen Must Reads

Your Weekly Guide to Surviving the News

Political violence, opportunity zones, re-illegalizing weed (but not cocaine traffickers) and more news from the week that was.

By The Philadelphia Citizen Staff

A Gallery for All

Curator Chelsey Luster blends accessibility and experimentation in a space built for community and conversation.

By Ellen Miller

How to Protest Safely in Philadelphia

Planning to attend a public demonstration? Know the rules, know your rights, and be safe

By Christina Griffith, Olivia Kram and Lauren McCutcheon
Guest Commentary

Penn, Do the Right Thing on Diversity

The Philadelphia City Councilmember (and alumna) who represents the district where University of Pennsylvania resides urges the Ivy to make DEI an ethical and core operating principle

By Jamie R. Gauthier
Business for Good

Hart of Catering & Cafe, a Haven for Healing

Every day, the owners of a Rittenhouse Square cafe practice gratitude for their journey through addiction and homelessness— by caring for Philadelphians going through the same

By Charissa Howard

An Artist of All Trades

Jasmine Lynea is best known for their short films. But the Philadelphia filmmaker is also working on an immersive installation at NextFab, has taught photography and film at high school, collages, woodworks …

By Christina Griffith
Listen

Ali Velshi Banned Book Club with the Most Banned Author in The Country

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member sits down with the first member of the Banned Book Club, George M. Johnson, to discuss the successful effort to fight back against book bans nationwide

By Ali Velshi

No Time to Smile

The glorious revival of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room by Quintessence Theatre reminds us that art, at its best, is not simply what we watch — it’s what we confront ourselves with

By Dr. James Peterson
Guest Commentary

This Pride, Read Queer Fiction

The organizer of Philly Queer Book Club argues we’d all be better off if we spent some of June with a good LGBTQ+ book

By Danny Maloney

Your Guide to Philadelphia Pride 2025

Your guide to Philly's lineup of LGBTQIA+ events this month. Things to do for families, partiers, sports fans and arts aficionados

By Lauren McCutcheon and Christina Griffith