Jessica Blatt Press

2 days ago | thephiladelphiacitizen.org | Jessica Blatt Press

Math doesn’t lie. And after the November 2024 election, the numbers said it all: A staggering 92 percent of Black women voted for Kamala Harris — while the majority of White women voted for Donald Trump. It was a depressing outcome for Black voting women, who have been overlooked for centuries by policies and politics shaped predominately by White men. But South Philly native Jasmine Sessoms refuses to give up hope.

6 days ago | thephiladelphiacitizen.org | Jessica Blatt Press

Omar Crowder was in line at the American Airlines terminal in Philadelphia when he got the call: There was a mass shooting in Northeast Philadelphia. Nevermind that he was about to chaperone a group of students on a long-planned 10-day educational trip to Italy — he immediately got out of line, into an Uber, and headed straight back to Northeast High School where, for the last seven years, he has served as principal. “Within minutes, I got a call from the Philadelphia Police Department,” he says.

2 weeks ago | thephiladelphiacitizen.org | Jessica Blatt Press

Apr. 28, 2025 “There’s no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people’s lives and improve the world.” — Diplomat Jacob J. LewWhatever your politics, it’s reasonable to say that the last four months have been plenty demoralizing for folks working in the public sector and those who depend on them, be it at the federal, state or local level.

1 month ago | thephiladelphiacitizen.org | Jessica Blatt Press

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1 month ago | thephiladelphiacitizen.org | Jessica Blatt Press

Farida Boyer was just 10 years old when her father was murdered. Racked with pain and confusion, she started acting out in school. “I wouldn’t say I was a menace, but my behaviors changed. I wasn’t such an angel,” Boyer says. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I was obviously experiencing trauma.”Still, the West Philly native always got good grades and did well in school. Is it any wonder, then, that as Boyer moved through her education, she was ultimately drawn to helping professions?