Listen in to “In the Pursuit…,” our conversation series exploring how our four guiding values inspired by the Declaration of Independence shape the work being done today to make Philadelphia and the country more equitable, just, sustainable and resilient. Hear from thinkers and doers about how the ideas of #SharedProsperity, #PeoplesHistories, #RevolutionaryActions and the #PursuitOfHappiness animate positive change in our communities right now – and how they can continue to do so through 2026 and beyond.
Topic
How Revolutionary Actions Happen in Our Neighborhoods
#RevolutionaryActions
Guests
Alonzo South – Assistant Vice President of Community Impact at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Dennis Wilson – VP, ESP & Managing Director, Saint-Gobain Circular Economy Solutions NA
Debbie Buchwald – Director of Development, PHILADELPHIA250
Topic
How Shared Prosperity Happens in Our Neighborhoods
#SharedProsperity
Guests
Loree D. Jones – Chief Executive Officer, Philabundance
Bridgett Battles, Director of Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity, Jefferson University Health
Topic
Revolutionary Actions
#RevolutionaryActions
Guests
Danielle DiLeo Kim – Executive Director, PHILADELPHIA250
Jamira Burley – Social Justice Activist
Natalie Nixon – President, Figure 8 Thinking
The Role of Faith In Our Communities #SharedProsperity
Lorraine Ballard Morrill – iHeart Media Philadelphia
Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart – City of Philadelphia, Office of Public Engagement
Rabbi Jill Maderer – Senior Rabbi, Congregation Rodeph Shalom
Food as Community #PursuitOfHappiness
Alicia Vitarelli – 6abc Anchor / FYI Philly Host
Ange Branca – Chef / Owner, Kampar Kitchen
Kiki Aranita – Co-Owner / Chef, Poi Dog
Art as a tool for building peace, happiness, understanding and community #PursuitOfHappiness
Todd Bressi – Public Art Consultant for PHILADELPHIA250
Magda Martinez – Poet, Chief Operating Officer for Mural Arts Philadelphia
Dave Kyu – Artist, Writer, Director of Programs for Asian Arts Initiative
Celebrating African American history and understanding its impact on race relations in Philadelphia today #PeoplesHistories
Janelle Burrell – CBS3
Adrienne G. Whaley – Museum of the American Revolution
Hannah Wallace – The African American Museum in Philadelphia
Finding new ways to invest in our neighborhoods, build connections + work together to spark social change #SharedProsperity
Ronnie Polaneczky – The Philadelphia Inquirer
Karla Ballard – YING
Mike O’Bryan – The Village of Arts and Humanities / The Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation
Fostering young leadership and encouraging Philly youth to find their voice #RevolutionaryActions
Michelle Feldman –PHILADELPHIA250
Samantha Rise – Girls Rock Philly
Ryan Harris – As I Plant This Seed
Contributing to the diversity of the American experience #PeoplesHistories
Nydia Han – 6ABC Action News
Rafael Arismendi – Congreso
How our public health systems can work harder for communities throughout Philadelphia, provide new opportunities for care + improve our quality of life #RevolutionaryActions
John George – Philadelphia Business Journal
Stephen K. Klasko – Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health
Dixieanne James – Einstein Medical Center
Connecting Philadelphians with opportunities for affordable housing and a renewed outlook on life
Jessica Kartalija – CBS3
Corinne O’Connell – Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia
Pastor Chandra Williams – United Missionary Baptist Church
Breaking through the establishment to empower others #RevolutionaryActions
Denise Clay – Philadelphia Sunday Sun
Kendra Brooks – Philadelphia City Councilmember
Jasmine Sessoms – She Can Win
Supporting communities with resources to eat and live healthy #SharedProsperity
Cherri Gregg – KYW Newsradio
Loree D. Jones – Philabundance
Lisa Mosca – Food Moxie
The role of LGBTQ+ history and entrepreneurship in fulfilling our founding ideals #PeoplesHistories
Rebecca Fisher – Beyond the Bell Tours
Zach Wilcha – Independence Business Alliance
The Declaration as a catalyst for change #PursuitOfHappiness
Danielle Allen Harvard University
Hassan Bennett — Defenders Association of Philadelphia