People, events and everyday life in Kensington, Philadelphia. Profiles of neighbors, local traditions and the organizations that bring the community together.
Applications are open to eligible older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities.
Small Business
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
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, whose 7th District covers Kensington, said the vast majority of her constituents earn less than 60% AMI.
Arts & Culture
Neighbors gathered along North 5th Street for the 41st annual Feria del Barrio, celebrating Latinx culture through music, dance, and art.
Small Business
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
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’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
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
The Emerald Street Community Farm will race in the Kensington Derby and Arts Festival on Saturday October 25th.
Small Business
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.
Arts & Culture
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
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
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
Community storytelling and cultural preservation matter. Organizations like Taller Puertorriqueño are doing that work through arts, early childhood programs, oral histories, and cultural events.
Kids in Kensington
Klean Kensington is one of eight organizations citywide selected for the Department of Planning and Development’s “Philadelphia 2050: Planning Together” initiative.
Small Business
The Medicine Shoppe on Kensington Avenue remains one of the few remaining places in the community to offer quality hospice partnership and medical care.
Public Space
Neighbors filled the sidelines at Trenton and Auburn Playground for a summer league game between the Jewtown Ballers and the Peacemakers.
Arts & Culture
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
Sunday’s performance concludes BoriCorridor’s 2025 tour, which aims to connect the Puerto Rican diaspora everywhere through the arts.
Arts & Culture
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.
Community Life
Neighbors filled North Philadelphia with music, dance, and pride during the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sept. 28, 2025.
Small Business
At Martin's Deli, staff maintains the community feel established by family owners who came before.
Small Business
At Lee’s Dumplings and Stuff, chef Gally Lee offers fresh, original dishes rooted in his immigrant upbringing and commitment to accessibility.
Immigration
A new audit from the Citizens Police Oversight Commission finds Philadelphia police officers aren’t always keeping their body worn cameras on during vehicle stops. The commission calls the finding a “major concern”.
