Mekia Elizabeth and Raheim Brown grew up around Southwest Germantown. Alongside their neighbors they have built a community-centered pay-what-you-wish cafe, dedicated to fostering emotional intelligence in the neighborhood youth and connecting everyone to harmony in themselves and the land.
Devyn Dais, a Philadelphia-based artist, uses her paintings to depict Black women in nature and promote body positivity, with her work set to be featured in the upcoming Germantown Art & Sound show.
Dr. Michelle Simmons has launched the Formerly Incarcerated Renaissance Museum, seeking items from formerly incarcerated individuals to be put on display. The museum aims to empower those who have experienced the criminal justice system and redefine narratives around incarceration.
The unmarked smokeshop at 800 East Chelten Avenue allegedly fosters illegal activity, such as selling to minors and drug dealing. Residents fear its impact on the neighborhood, while law enforcement and businesses discuss broader safety and revitalization issues.