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.
Community Life
People, events and everyday life in Kensington, Philadelphia. Profiles of neighbors, local traditions and the organizations that bring the community together.
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
Community Life
Norris Square Neighborhood Project plans community fridge at Raíces Garden
The fridge will expand free food access and build a shared neighborhood resource shaped by resident input.
Community Life
Faith-based nonprofit offers paid work, job training and child care to single moms in Kensington and Glenside
Since 2015, the nonprofit has employed 175 women, its founder says, pairing work experience with mentorship and faith-based support.
Community Life
“We can be anyone we want”: Meet the team making a new name for Kensington high school basketball
The Kensington Tigers, representing four Kensington area high schools, opened the season with 13 straight wins while building a new team culture and boosting school morale.
Small Business
Cantina La Martina brings tamales and tradition to Kensington for fourth annual La Tamalada
Tables of tamales, family recipes and new twists filled The Lighthouse as residents and visitors came together for a fourth year of tradition and community.
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.
Community Life
Prevention Point hosts free HIV testing event to highlight racial disparities in care
Black Americans account for 40% of people living with HIV but are far less likely to be prescribed preventive medication.
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.
Government & Policy
West Kensington Ministry leads immigrant justice vigil outside Philly ICE office
Faith leaders and community members braved the cold outside Philadelphia’s ICE office to reflect, pray and call for justice amid heightened immigration enforcement.
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.
Community Life
Opioid settlement spending faces growing scrutiny as Pennsylvania awaits millions more
Counties battle uncertainty over funding rules while advocates and families push for an increased say in opioid settlement spending decisions.
Housing & Shelter
Some Kensington residents may qualify for up to $1,000 in tax, rent rebates
Applications are open to eligible older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities.
Small Business
Philly launches $600K emergency grants to aid small grocers hit by SNAP shutdown
Applications are open through Dec. 31 on the Merchants Fund website. Priority will go to small, locally owned retailers operating in low-income neighborhoods.
Housing & Shelter
Against Mayor Parker’s wishes, Council advances version of her housing plan
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District covers Kensington, said the vast majority of her constituents earn less than 60% AMI.
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.
Kids in Kensington
Fab Youth Philly gives teens first-time job experiences otherwise in short supply
Fab Youth Philly’s Play Captains program empowers Kensington teens by paying them to lead educational play for younger children and helping them build job skills for the future, despite challenges like neighborhood safety.
Community Life
What does the future hold for the next Latine generation in Philadelphia?
From South to North Philadelphia, resilient residents shared the hopes and fears of the Latine community. Their concerns range from gun violence and economic disparities to aspirations for education and the pursuit of a better future.
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.
Small Business
For Philadelphia Latine Business owners, passing down culture and business intertwine
Today there are nearly 12,000 Latine-owned businesses in the city, but it wasn’t always like this. Success now is the result of generations of hard work.