On this segment of Insight, Loraine Ballard Morrill speaks with Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson about the upcoming election, making your voice heard, efforts to address nuisance businesses, and upcoming community events. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Pennsylvania polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in line by 8 p.m. may vote. Completed mail-in and civilian absentee ballots must be received by the county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Make a plan to vote and find reliable election information and polling locations at https://vote.phila.gov/. The councilmember also shares information about these upcoming events:

• Senior Resource Fair: Friday, November 13, 2026, 10 a.m.–noon, at Center in the Park, 5818 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia.
• Workforce Spotlight with the U.S. Census Bureau: Friday, November 13, 2026, 12:30–1 p.m., virtually via Zoom and the councilmember’s Facebook page.
• Couponing Class: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Location to be announced; follow the councilmember’s office for updates.

Learn more: https://phlcouncil.com/katherinegilmorerichardson/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouncilmemberKGR/
Instagram: @councilmemberkgr  

Then, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Education Center Director, and Maryann McEvoy, Executive Director, discuss Merakey’s new Philadelphia Education Center, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade with autism support, emotional support, and therapy services. They explain how individualized learning, coordinated services, and family partnerships help students thrive. The center’s October 22, 2026, open house welcomed families and neighbors from 2–5 p.m., with a ribbon cutting and remarks at 2:30 p.m., at 3240 North Hancock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140. The event included staff introductions, school tours, free family-friendly activities, light refreshments, and giveaways.
Merakey: https://www.merakey.org/
Contact: eniola.ajayi@merakey.org or maryann.mcevoy@merakey.org

Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati speaks with Christopher Benson author of Framing Emmett Till: Exposing Dark Fear, the new graphic novel illustrated by Eric Battle. Their conversation explores bringing this consequential history to the page and the power of visual storytelling to examine racism, memory, and justice.
 Book Launch: Framing Emmett Till: Exposing Dark Fear

• Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6–8 p.m.
• Kislak Center, Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, sixth floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, University of Pennsylvania
• Featuring Eric Battle, Christopher Benson, John Jennings, and Qiana Whitted.
• Open to the public. Event details and registration.

  Then, for “What Is Philadelphia Reading?”, Vanesse speaks with Sibylla Shekerdjiska-Benatova, M.S.Ed., executive director of A Book a Day, about sharing the joy of reading and expanding children’s access to diverse books. The nonprofit donated more than 5,000 brand-new hardcover books in 2026, while requests to serve new locations more than doubled. A Book a Day’s Freedom to Learn Fundraiser

• Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6 p.m.
• The Study, 20 South 33rd Street, Philadelphia
• Proceeds from ticket sales and auction items help purchase new books for children. $10 provides one new book, while $250 supports a week’s worth of new baby books for Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Intensive Care Nursery.
• Purchase tickets.

For our monthly SpeakOUT conversation, attorney and LGBTQIA+ advocate Angela Giampolo joins Loraine to explore civil disobedience, LGBTQIA+ rights, and sustained civic participation. Inspired by Loraine’s experience witnessing peaceful demonstrations in Paris and Angela’s visit to Walden Pond, they consider Henry David Thoreau’s ideas about conscience, conformity, and nonviolent resistance. Angela shares her perspective on anti-trans political messaging, the midterm elections, and the limits of measuring a movement’s strength through rallies or election results alone. The conversation examines what it takes to turn public concern into ongoing organizing, community education, and meaningful action beyond the voting booth.

Connect with Angela Giampolo

• Website: giampololaw.com
• Instagram: @YourGayLawyer
• Facebook: Giampolo Law Group
• X: @PhillyGayLawyer

Loraine Ballard Morrill celebrates educators making a difference and explores the power of speaking out and staying engaged. We spotlight local honorees of the iHeartMedia and Boost Mobile Thank a Teacher campaign: Christine Durante of Riverton Public School, Kashmir Fluellen of Camden Promise Charter, Chef Kenneth McDuffie of Simon Gratz Mastery Charter, and Michael Winterbottom of Marple Newtown High School. They share their inspiration, commitment to students, and the lasting impact of great teaching.  

 Then, in our monthly SpeakOUT conversation, attorney and LGBTQIA+ advocate Angela Giampolo joins Loraine to explore civil disobedience, LGBTQIA+ rights, and sustained civic participation. Inspired by Loraine’s experience witnessing peaceful demonstrations in Paris and Angela’s visit to Walden Pond, they consider Henry David Thoreau’s ideas about conscience, conformity, and nonviolent resistance. Angela shares her perspective on anti-trans political messaging, the midterm elections, and the limits of measuring a movement’s strength through rallies or election results alone. The conversation examines what it takes to turn public concern into ongoing organizing, community education, and meaningful action beyond the voting booth.

Connect with Angela Giampolo

• Website: giampololaw.com
• Instagram: @YourGayLawyer
• Facebook: Giampolo Law Group
• X: @PhillyGayLawyer

Loraine Ballard Morrill celebrates inspiring educators, helps Philadelphia voters prepare for Election Day, and introduces a young artist using her voice to challenge expectations. We spotlight local honorees of the iHeartMedia and Boost Mobile Thank a Teacher campaign: Christine Durante of Riverton Public School, Kashmir Fluellen of Camden Promise Charter, Chef Kenneth McDuffie of Simon Gratz Mastery Charter, and Michael Winterbottom of Marple Newtown High School. They share their inspiration, commitment to students, and the lasting impact of great teaching.

Omar Sabir, Chair of the Philadelphia City Commissioners, discusses what voters need to know for the November 3 election, including mail ballots, polling places, and assistance available to help eligible voters participate.  

 Then, meet Precious Eshiet, known as Presh So Fresh, a Germantown Friends High School senior and winner of Chalkbeat Philadelphia’s first-ever back-to-school rap contest. She discusses her journey from poetry to rap, challenging stereotypes, and her hopes for inspiring younger students through music. Resources and social media

• Philadelphia voter information: vote.phila.gov
• Philadelphia City Commissioners Instagram: @PhillyVotes
• Chalkbeat Philadelphia: chalkbeat.org/philadelphia
• Chalkbeat Philadelphia Facebook: ChalkbeatPHL
• Chalkbeat Philadelphia X: @ChalkbeatPHL
• Chalkbeat Instagram: @ChalkbeatOrg

Dr. Clayton Yates of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine joins us to discuss breast cancer and other cancers affecting women of color, his commitment to advocacy and the research advancing our understanding of cancer disparities. We explore why continued support for cancer research matters and how scientific discoveries can help save lives. Learn more about the American Association for Cancer Research at aacr.org. Follow the conversation on X using #AACRMICR.

On What’s Going On  Loraine Ballard Morrill celebrates teachers, community service and the power of the arts. We spotlight local honorees of the iHeartMedia and Boost Mobile Thank a Teacher campaign: Christine Durante of Riverton Public School, Kashmir Fluellen of Camden Promise Charter, Chef Kenneth McDuffie of Simon Gratz Mastery Charter and Michael Winterbottom of Marple Newtown High School. They share their inspiration, their commitment to students and the lasting impact of great teaching.

Maria Macaluso, Executive Director of the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, discusses 50 years of supporting domestic violence survivors, essential services and ways to help. The Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala takes place Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 6–9 p.m., at The Highlands Mansion & Estate, 7001 Sheaff Lane, Fort Washington. Tickets are $150. Visit wcmontco.org for registration and information. The 24-hour hotline is 800-773-2424. Follow the Women’s Center on LinkedIn.

Singer-songwriter Suzann Christine, founder of SCH Creative & Performing Arts, previews the third annual Mothers Making Music and Moves, celebrating mothers in entertainment while supporting free youth arts programming and FLY—Forever Love Yourself. Hosted by Roxy Romeo, the fundraiser honors Aja Dantzler, Lady B, Mina SayWhat, Facetta Greene and Kerri Park Lennon. Join the celebration Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7–9 p.m., at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia. General admission is $35; VIP admission is $100, plus fees. Find tickets at schcapa.org. Visit suzannchristine.com and follow Instagram @suzannchristine and @theflystar.

Loraine Ballard Morrill explores family legacy, second chances and the power of the arts with three Philadelphia changemakers. Author Rashida Jones-Aiken discusses her memoir, The Rhythm That Remained, and how grief led her to discover family history, explore her identity and establish Kiren House Publishing. Her Rhythm That Remained Book Experience takes place Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 3–7 p.m. at Jenice’s, 301 E. Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia, featuring conversation, storytelling and ancestry visuals.
Web: kirenhousepublishing.com
Socials: Instagram @kirenhousepublishing · Facebook Kiren House Publishing

Dr. Victoria Best, founder of Victoria Urban Outreach Tutoring Service (VUOTS), reflects on ten years of empowering Philadelphia youth and families, the documentary Empowering Voices: Youth Narratives, and an upcoming opportunity to explore record-clearing options. Presented with Community Legal Services, the free Record Clearing Clinic takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026 10 am to 2:00 pm at The Braid Mill, 441 High Street, Philadelphia.
Web and registration: vuots.org · Register for the clinic

Singer-songwriter Suzann Christine, founder of SCH Creative & Performing Arts, previews the third annual Mothers Making Music and Moves, supporting free youth arts programming and FLY—Forever Love Yourself. Hosted by Power 99’s Roxy Romeo, the celebration honors Aja Dantzler, Lady B, Mina SayWhat, Facetta Greene and Kerri Park Lennon, with live performances, a panel conversation and resources for parents. The fundraiser takes place Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7–9 p.m. at Venice Island Performing Arts & Recreation Center, 7 Lock Street, Philadelphia. General admission is $35; VIP admission is $100, plus fees.
Web and tickets: schcapa.org · suzannchristine.com
Socials: Instagram @suzannchristine · @theflystar

Loraine Ballard Morrill talks with Jillian Patricia Pirtle, CEO of the Marian Anderson Museum and Historical Society, and Azsherae Gary of the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and Paul Robeson House & Museum, about preserving the legacies of two extraordinary artists and civil rights champions. They preview Marian and Paul: The Music and the Oration, a tribute concert bringing Marian Anderson’s and Paul Robeson’s stories to life through music and historic speeches. Proceeds benefit both museums. The concert takes place Friday, October 16, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Settlement Music Hall, 416 Queen Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Tickets are $40.   For tickets and information, visit marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com or call 215-779-4219.
Explore the museums and their programs at marianandersonhistoricalsociety.weebly.com and paulrobesonhouse.org.
Follow: Facebook National Marian Anderson Museum ·
Facebook Paul Robeson House & Museum · Instagram @robesonhousephl