The People Left Behind

“They Are Still With Us, In A Way”

In the first episode of a new Citizen podcast about the survivors and co-victims of gun violence, we meet Laura Madeleine, who turned her terror over a school shooting into the Soul Shots Portrait Project. The seventh exhibition of the Philadelphia chapter is on display until August 27

By Julien Suaudeau

Reports of the Death of American Downtowns are Greatly Exaggerated

Call it the new economic geography. Drexel’s Metro Finance head on how some U.S. cities are moving toward healing through economic diversity, cultural growth, and physical rebuild

By Bruce Katz

How to Become POTUS Through College Education

The four candidates running for president and vice president have differing education stories. That, a longtime university president notes, is a fact of American life that they must all work to uphold

By Elaine Maimon

Jennifer Weiner X Blue Stoop

The Philly writer wants more women to be authors. She’s partnered with a local arts nonprofit to make it happen.

By Courtney DuChene

“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
Listen

Ali Velshi on What Project 2025 Means For An Independent Press

The MSNBC host and Citizen board member talks to Vox Media's Zack Beauchamp about how another Trump administration might damage one of America's most important institutions

By Ali Velshi

What’s the Plan, Cherelle?

Bringing city workers back sends an important "open for business" message. But a new report shows Philly lagging behind in adjusting to work from home. Is now the time for a broad economic revival plan?

By Larry Platt
Recap

The 2024 Rad Awards

The Citizen and Rad Girls’ Leah Kauffman joined forces to rekindle a feminist tradition and honor awesome Philadelphia women — and their allies. Here’s who took home trophies

By Courtney Duchene and Lauren McCutcheon
Ideas We Should Steal Revisited

Stop Hitting People With Cars

Three bikers and pedestrians were hit by cars this week in Philly — two fatally — because our roads are unsafe. Here, recommendations to fix that

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

Powering Up Mentorship

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ local CEO is spearheading the group’s first efforts in Philadelphia schools, with the aim of providing every middle schooler with a much-needed mentor

By Rachel Wisniewski