Ideas We Should Steal

Get the DOJ to Investigate Illegal Dumping

An ongoing federal investigation into illegal dumping in poor, majority Black neighborhoods in Houston is already cleaning things up. Could it happen in Philadelphia?

By Nick Russo
Development for Good

Kensington Corridor Trust

An innovative model for community-business development provides opportunity for current and new residents to thrive in a Philadelphia neighborhood experiencing both investment and crisis

By Christina Griffith
The Citizen Recommends

Leon H. Sullivan Month

This October, Philadelphia celebrates what would have been the 100th birthday of the Nicetown-Tioga pastor and champion of global civil rights and Black entrepreneurship

By Karen J. Hamilton
Photo Essay

Fab Youth Philly’s Play Captains

42 teens ran neighborhood play spaces around Philly this summer, engaging younger children while learning to be leaders themselves. Here, a look at some of the joy they shared.

By Theo Wyss-Flamm

A Win Win for Water

The Philadelphia Water Department's nationally-recognized Soak It Up Adoption program pays local community groups to help divert nearly 3 billion gallons of stormwater from our rivers every year

By Christina Griffith
Reality Check

One Word to Fix Philly’s Trash Crisis? Invest.

Illegal dumping sites like the one Ya Fav Trashman tried to clean up last month are a product of longtime disinvestment in Black neighborhoods. WURD’s mid-day host challenges the city to match Ya Fav’s commitment.

By Charles D. Ellison

Residents vs. Taney Street

In the wake of last year’s racial awakening, a group of engaged Taney Street residents sought to shed the racist history of the name. Here’s how they’re doing it

By Thomas Koenig
Mystery Shopper

Reporting Illegal Dumping in Philadelphia

Our mystery shopper tried to get just one of the dozens of ugly trash heaps cleared away from their North Philly neighborhood. Here's how well—or not—it went.

North Broad’s Next Chapter

The corridor stretching from City Hall to Germantown Avenue will never be “Avenue of the Arts”—or Northern Liberties or...any of the city’s “Hot ‘Hoods.” And that just might be a good thing.

By Jessica Blatt Press

Helping Kensington Thrive

A collaboration between several local organizations has distributed more than $15 million in affordable loans to the Latinx community in North Philly — and it’s just getting started.

By Courtney DuChene