Community Life
Port Richmond celebrates 179th anniversary with food, music and community at Campbell Square Park
The annual festival brought together vendors, live music and neighbors, doubling as a kickoff for local America 250 celebrations.
Arts & Culture
Arts and culture in Kensington, Philadelphia — murals, music, Taller Puertorriqueño, galleries, festivals and creative life in the neighborhood.
Community Life
In East Kensington, projection artists turn buildings into canvases at first-ever Illuminate Kensington festival
East Kensington transformed into a glowing outdoor gallery as moving projections lit up building facades along Frankford Avenue and Hagert Street. Around 30 artists participated in the free festival, which organizers hope to make annual.
Community Life
Public Space
Historic Fair Hill’s mural tour preserves neighborhood Black history for future generations
The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
Accountability
“Our families deserve a school they can walk to:” Stetson community rallies against closure
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
Arts & Culture
New workshop series asks Kensington residents to help shape greener public spaces
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
Arts & Culture
‘It feels like we are grieving’: Philadelphia school communities fight school closure plan
Philadelphia school communities are pushing back against the district’s plan to close 20 schools. At Conwell Middle School, community leaders urged the district not to take resources away from the neighborhood.
Arts & Culture
‘Life or death issue’: Kensington schools seek higher graduation rates by embedding student support
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
Conwell grad Councilmember Isaiah Thomas opposes middle school's closure
A key member of the Philadelphia City Council has already expressed opposition to parts of the district’s plan to close, relocate, and co-locate several schools.
Arts & Culture
Philadelphia school district wants to close Conwell Middle School, expand Elkin Elementary
The proposal would have a particularly large impact on middle schools, with more than a dozen elementary schools turning into K-8 schools.
Looking back at 2025: A year in photos from Kensington
A year in photographs from the neighborhood, made close and over time.
Small Business
Philly’s only 2025 gift guide with spiritual consults, PPA evasion and a Kensington Jason Kelce tee
This year’s holiday gift guide highlights creative, hyperlocal gifts that support Kensington’s artists, makers, and small businesses.
Arts & Culture
Photos of Kensington: Celebrating 41 years of Feria del Barrio
Neighbors gathered along North 5th Street for the 41st annual Feria del Barrio, celebrating Latinx culture through music, dance, and art.
Small Business
Thunderbird LLC embraces community through second-hand items and events
What began as a small salvage business in 2016 has grown into a community cornerstone. George Mathes’ Thunderbird LLC now unites Kensington through vintage treasures and local events.
Arts & Culture
Kensington voters trickle out for judges, SNAP cuts, and inspiration from the NYC mayoral election
Voters turned out with the hopes of retaining Pennsylvania's Supreme Court Justices, and some were inspired by New York’s history-making mayoral election.
Arts & Culture
Emerald Street farm crew to bring alien invasion to the Kensington Derby Saturday
The Emerald Street Community Farm will race in the Kensington Derby and Arts Festival on Saturday October 25th.
Arts & Culture
Photos of Kensington: Philly Bomba Plena Cultural Center showcases student performances
Students of all ages closed out their Bomba and Plena classes with a recital in North Philadelphia organized by the Philly Bomba Plena Cultural Center.
Arts & Culture
How do second- and third-generation Latine integrate into Philadelphia culture?
Although there is no single way to define a culture, Philadelphia is home to thousands of individuals who express their identity in different ways where 16% of the population identifies as Latine.
Small Business
Kensington native uses Waxery to uplift her neighborhood one candle at a time
Crystal Ortiz, owner of candle-making shop Waxery, opened her business as a way to give back to her community and make a space for residents to have fun not too far from home.
Arts & Culture
Why the Terms “Second-Generation” and “Third-Generation” Matter for Philadelphia’s Latine Communities
Community storytelling and cultural preservation matter. Organizations like Taller Puertorriqueño are doing that work through arts, early childhood programs, oral histories, and cultural events.
Arts & Culture
Harrowgate area to see art, improvements as part of citywide celebration for America’s 250th birthday
The Harrowgate area will see increased funding as part of the City of Philadelphia's celebration of America's 250th birthday.
Arts & Culture
Photos of Kensington: Orquesta el Macabeo brings salsa to Taller Puertorriqueño
Neighbors came together at Taller for a night of music, food, and connection. Celebrating the cultural ties between Norris Square and Puerto Rico.
Arts & Culture
Legacy of composer Tite Curet Alonso comes to life at North Philly one-night-only show
Sunday’s performance concludes BoriCorridor’s 2025 tour, which aims to connect the Puerto Rican diaspora everywhere through the arts.
Arts & Culture
Legado del compositor, Tite Curet Alonso, cobra vida en el Norte de Filadelfia por un obra de teatro de una sola noche
La función del domingo concluye la gira 2025 de BoriCorridor, cuyo objetivo es conectar a la diáspora puertorriqueña de todo el mundo a través de las artes.
Small Business
‘Not bold enough’: Kensington muralist uses Vizion Art Gallery as home base for building community, reducing stigma
Vizion Gallery on Kensington Avenue offers artists a place to practice, vend and find community.