Topic: Citizen of the Week
Mandy Mango, Drag Diva
This winter, the millions of viewers of RuPaul’s Drag Race learned what hundreds of Philadelphians living with HIV already knew: Philly’s rising star is a queen for the people
By Gianna Voges
Alison Grove, Hype Woman
You won’t see her dressed like Betsy Ross or scoring a goal on the World Cup soccer pitch, but behind the scenes, she’s made a career of transforming thousands of proud Philadelphians into expert — and excited — volunteer hosts
By Courtney DuChene
LaTonya Myers
The Philly woman was on probation for 12 years before securing her early release. Now she’s helping others navigate the system — including a local mom who is now probation-free thanks to REFORM Alliance and Myers’ nonprofit, Above All Odds
By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy
The Man Who May Save Philly’s Small Businesses
Jigar Mehta led an effort to spare small businesses from a shocking tax increase next year wrought by Mayor Parker’s new tax plan. Will it become law?
By Malcolm Burnley
Rob Lawless and his 10,000 Friends
The 34-year-old Philadelphian has spent the last decade connecting with his fellow humans. So far, he’s met 7,000 — and counting
By Rachel Wisniewski
Is this Montco Doctor the Antidote to … Joe Rogan?
Maybe not quite yet, but Ezekiel Tayler is aiming to inform and sway voters on his year-old podcast — starting with all the judges on the November ballot
By Courtney DuChene
Evelyn Ebo
With a little help from her friends, a professional dancer from Philadelphia has created a week-long summer boot camp that’s giving a boost to young Black and Brown dancers
By Courtney DuChene
Ginger Arts Center Student Organizers
The Chinatown hub launched to organize protest against the proposed Center City 76ers arena. Now it's a student-led third space for building community and having an impact
By Charissa Howard
Collie Turner, Heroic Gardener
The horticulturist created an urban garden on an abandoned Northeast Philly lot to heal the land and community members like her beloved late grandfather: veterans
By Jessica Blatt Press
Ryan Hammond
The head of the Eagles Autism Foundation has a simple secret for raising $10 million a year and getting elite players to bike 10 miles through Philly
By Lauren McCutcheon