Sam Searles

Nov 4, 2023 | whyy.org | Sam Searles

مثَّل فوز السيدة شيريل باركر -عضو مجلس المدينة السابق- في الانتخابات التمهيدية حدثًا تاريخيًا في السباق لتولّي منصب عُمدة مدينة فيلادلفيا رقم 100. يأتي ترشيح باركر بعد انتخابات تمهيدية للحزب الجمهوري شهدت تنافسًا شديدًا، ويمثّل نجاحها السياسي جزءًا من توجّهٍ وطنيٍّ عامّ أكثر اتساعًا، وهو ترشُّح النساء السود لتقلُّد المناصب. يمثّل السود نسبة 44% من سكان مدينة فيلادلفيا، وقد تكون باركر أول امرأة من ذوات البشرة السوداء تُنتَخب لمنصب العمدة.

Nov 1, 2023 | phillytrib.com | Sam Searles

The primary win of former Councilmember Cherelle Parker in the race to become Philadelphia’s 100th mayor is historic. Parker’s nomination comes after a hotly contested Democratic primary, and her political success is part of a bigger, national trend — Black women running for office. Forty-four percent of Philadelphians are Black, and Parker could be the first Black woman elected as mayor.

Oct 18, 2023 | phillytrib.com | Sam Searles

Just before sunset Tuesday, approximately 50 people gathered at the Miles Mack Playground in Philadelphia’s Mantua neighborhood to support a new program — Philly SAFE. “The acronym stands for Service, Agriculture, Financial literacy, and Entrepreneurship,” founder Tariq Moore explained, while addressing the crowd.

Oct 4, 2023 | phillytrib.com | Sam Searles

Before opening the floor to discussion about neighborhood solutions, Sajda “Purple” Blackwell asked those assembled in the Church of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator in West Philadelphia to describe their feelings in one word. The responses people shared included feelings of disappointment, confusion, and fatigue. But the two used most often were traumatized and numb.

Sep 27, 2023 | phillytrib.com | Sam Searles

It’s 10:35 p.m., Thursday, September 21, 2023. The intersection in front of Kensington’s Tioga Station is still busy, though some of the cars slow down, reading the signs attached to an EZ-Up tent. Jamal Johnson sits alone, handing out literature to anyone who passes by. Johnson is serving as guardian of the base for “Operation Hug the Block,” a neighborhood watch program.