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Love + Grit Season 3 kicks off with an all star reunion featuring Jeannine A. Cook, Chef Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate who continue to amplify their visions and make Black history as they do. First, Cook discusses growing Harriett’s Bookshop nationwide, a visit from Will Smith, calls from Oprah and a vow of silence. Then, we catch up with TIME100 Next’s Chef Omar Tate and his wife Cybille, founders of Honeysuckle Projects. The husband-and-wife duo are set to open their first brick-and-mortar this spring.
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Blew Kind and Dr. Sheena Howard are taking a creative approach to inspiring the next generation of activists in Philadelphia and beyond. Kind is the founder of Kensignton-based Franny Lou’s Porch, named after Fannie Lou Hamer and Frances E.W. Harper, two influential black women from the Civil Rights movement. The Afro-centric cafe is focused on activism, health, history, art and culture in the Black community. Next up is Howard, an award-winning author and professor at Rider University. She uses her passion for comic books and social justice to discuss representation in this space in her newly released book, “Why Wakanda Matters: What Black Panther Reveals About Psychology, Identity, and Communication.”
Terrill Haigler and Jena Harris are two people who are all about love and grit. Born out of the 2020 pandemic, the West Philly Bunny Hop is a food pantry created by Harris that now feeds more than 350 families each week. Next up is Haigler, known as Ya Fav Trashman on social media. He talks about how starting a job as a sanitation worker inspired his activism and raising awareness for the sanitation industry. The fundraiser he led to purchase PPE, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies for sanitation workers soon turned into Trash2Treasure, a non-profit whose mission is to clean Philadelphia block by block.
Two people changing the game in sports and food: Kate Scott and JL Jupiter. Scott is used to making history. She was the first woman to call a men’s basketball game at the Olympics and the first to call an NFL game on the radio. And now she comes to Philadelphia as the first female announcer for the Philadelphia 76ers. Next up is Jupiter, a first-generation immigrant that celebrates mom and pop restaurants and their international cuisines. His YouTube videos give an insider’s look at his favorite restaurants and drive serious business to the spots he features.
Which women are considered to be the most powerful voices in Philadelphia? Laurin Talese and Patty Jackson are certainly contenders for this title. First up in this episode is Talese, a classically trained jazz singer who moved to Philly to further her vocal education and is the first cultural ambassador for American Music Abroad. The vice president of the city’s Grammy chapter is also releasing her second album. Up next, Jackson is a veteran radio personality whose voice has graced the airwaves of the city for four decades. She started in country radio and ended up in Philly for a long-term residence at WDAS FM.
Two of Philly’s sons, Larry Miller and Mykey Cooper, take to the mic to share their stories of perseverance and hard work. Miller discusses his journey from juvenile offender to president of Nike’s Jordan Brand, and his controversial book, Jump: My Secret Journey from the Streets to the Boardroom. Next, Cooper breaks down how as a teenager, he balances major acting gigs and writing for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, all while keeping those grades up.
Chef Kevin Cooper and DJ Diamond Kuts join the show to discuss the best of food and music. Chef Cooper is a three-time Food Network champion, winning “Guy’s Chance of a Lifetime,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Cooks vs. Cons.” He’s also launched Succulent Imagination, offering one-on-one cooking class, and will own and operate a Chicken Guy as a result of one of his Food Network wins. Next up is DJ Diamond Kuts, a Philly native making people dance globally. From performing on some of the biggest stages, including the Roots Picnic and the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, to hosting the new Yo! MTV Raps!
Siddiq Moore and Sofia Deleon are getting us in the mood for summertime with all their talk about water ice and street food. Siddiq of the eponymously named Siddiq’s Water Ice gives us the scoop about his shop being a community hub and his journey to owning two stores. And Deleon talks about how she brought her favorite childhood eats to Philly via El Merkury, serving up lauded Central American street food, and about what’s next for her.
Pink Sweat$ and Dyana Williams represent the past, present and future of music. And that future is looking bright thanks to singer/songwriter Pink Sweat$. Born and raised in West Philly, Sweat$ discusses how inspired he is by love — something that’s apparent on his newest album Pink Moon. Up next, Dyana Williams, the mother of Black Music Month, makes her return to Love + Grit. This time around, she talks about the importance of Black Music Month, how Black music has touched everyone in some way and what she’s been up to since her last podcast visit.
— Photos by R. Rabena for Visit Philadelphia and BeauMonde Originals
Suzann Christine, Gregory Corbin and Aja Graydon test their Philly knowledge live at the Roots Picnic. How well do you know your Reading Terminal Market merchants? Remember when the first Roots Picnic took place? Corbin, community activist, poet and educator, joins Team Justin, and Graydon, the lady from Kindred the Family Soul, and Christine, R&B artist, join Team Rachel for a good time and a great history lesson moderated by Laiya.
Brandi Nicole and Brannon Johnson are two Philadelphians that know health and wellness! Nicole is the founder of Hike + Heal, which is so much more than hiking. With wellness retreats and healing circles, Nicole shows folks a way to find peace of mind in the City of Brotherly Love. Up next, we have Philly native Johnson, an elite accomplished athlete and head coach and owner of BLJ Community Rowing. Leading one of the most diverse community rowing programs in Philadelphia, Johnson is making sure the skill of rowing is available to people of all backgrounds. Also, find out what our hosts recommend to do in Philadelphia for the July 4th weekend! Yes, it includes fireworks!
Yaya Horne, Damion Ward and Eric “Bus Driver Doo” Lilley are showing off Philly in different ways, but spreading the love as they do. Horne and Ward, co-founders of Tiny Room for Elephants, discuss how their month-long festival fuses the work of artists and musicians committed to creating unexpected works. The inspiration for this year’s festival is “‘made with love and inspired by grit.” We like the sound of that! Next up is Lilley, a SEPTA bus driver who made a big impression on social media by sharing interesting stories from his routes. Over the years, he’s watched passengers try to fit a mattress on his bus and doled out plenty of advice on how to be a good passenger.
Also, find out each of our hosts’ favorite LGBTQIA+ business/spot in town!
Philly is a city of champions, two of them being Travis Wolfe, Jr. and Kareem Rosser. Wolfe is a 16-year-old actor who’s been a show business veteran for a decade, starring in shows like Katye and Grown-ish, and most recently, Bob ❤️ Abishola on CBS. Next up, as an interscholastic polo champion, Rosser is everywhere — including playing a major role in the inaugural Philadelphia Polo Classic. His biggest goal is to connect the two worlds of an elite sport to everyday folks in Philly.
Also, find out which concerts in Philly our hosts are most excited for this summer!
Darrell Alston and Camille Bell are changing up the fashion and cosmetic industries respectively. Nationally recognized, Alston is the first Philadelphia brand designer to be carried in Footlocker with his company Bungee Oblečení. Bell is working to make everyone feel seen in the cosmetic world with her company Pound Cake. After seeing how a shade of lipstick on a model in a store looked different on her when she got home, she knew she needed to start creating inclusive makeup for all skin tones.
Also, find out the hosts’ favorite places to watch movies outdoors (or indoors).
We’re taking you on a culinary journey with Dr. Maya, Dr. Kala Johnstone and Chef Hoon Rhee. Philly twins Dr. Maya and Dr. Kala began their careers as Philadelphia public school teachers, but soon felt the pull of their vision boards and decided to launch FoodChasers’ Kitchen. Since opening in December 2021, they’ve cooked for memorable guests, including Salt-N-Pepa and Khelani, and were featured in a Pepsi commercial supporting Black-owned businesses. Philly born and bred, Chef Rhee was recently named executive chef at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He’s done it all in the culinary industry, working as a line and pastry chef, bartender, barista and everything in between in restaurants around the world, including Philly’s Lacroix at The Rittenhouse Hotel, Jean-Georges Philadelphia, Morimoto, The Modern, Masa, Daniel and others.
The hosts also share their perfect Philly itineraries.
On this episode, we have filmmaker Bilal Motley and chef Amanda Shulman. Motley’s short animated film Quarantine Kids was an official selection at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival. Co-directed by his then 9-year-old daughter Bria, the film tells the courageous story of Bria’s struggle through the COVID-19 pandemic. The film garnered the duo our first-ever Love + Grit Award! Next up, Her Place Supper Club owner and chef Amanda Shulman is doing things her way. Shulman whips up a menu that changes weekly, an ever-changing wine selection and reservations that need to be booked months in advance.
The hosts also share their top things to do in September.
Vikram and Vivek Nayar and Julieta Zavala are people we can rely on to talk about drinks and fashion! The Nayar twins, Two Robbers Seltzer Co. owners and founders, have lived all over the world, from New York City to New Delhi, but they decided to launch their brand of hard seltzers right here in Philly, because they believed it would be more interesting. Next up, fashion designer Zavala uses recycled materials to create vibrant pieces of clothing, each one an homage to her birthplace of Mexico City. She works with bright colors, various fabrics and even Frida Kahlo’s image to reflect her roots.
The hosts also share their plans for Hispanic Heritage Month. No surprise that those plans include Dine Latino Restaurant Week!
Food and fashion mix well in this episode. Just ask Chef Montana Houston, Chef Ja’mir Wimberly-Cole and Zakia Blain. First up, two of the hottest new chefs, both under 30, recently opened Rittenhouse Square’s Restaurant Aleksandar. They’re putting their own spin on an American menu with Eastern European influences that pay homage to the culture and cuisine of the owner’s family. Next up, Chester’s own Zakia Blain is celebrating 10 years working in the body-positivity space. This educator turned entrepreneur turned her Instagram movement into some of the best fitness fashion around.
And if you’re hungry, listen up as Rachel, Justin and Laiya share their picks for Asian-owned restaurants.
This episode is bringing the heat. Shannon Maldonado returns to the podcast to fill us in on what’s new at Yowie and the biggest news in her life. Hint: it involves her opening a boutique hotel on South Street. Next up, Radhi Fernandez, owner of the Faiya Company, discusses how he got started with his hot sauce, his love for Philly and how Philly loves him right back. And yes, he’ll dish on where you can buy the hot sauce, including at the Reading Terminal Market.
Philly sports fans, this one’s for you! Get the scoop on what sports bars our hosts frequent to catch the game.
Lori Lindsey and Khoran Horn might make you say, “Hey! I know them from TV!” Lindsey, a former USWNT player and sports commentator discusses her advocacy work for equal pay in sports and rights for trans athletes. She also dishes on the excitement about the FIFA World Cup™ coming to Philadelphia! At the other end of the table, Guardhouse Café owner Horn talks about how he’s never eaten meat … ever. So, he finds creative ways to make delicious dishes that taste like meat, but are all substitutes. And he recently competed on and won It’s Compli-plated! on the Food Network.
The hosts also dish on their favorite scary Philly locations including Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary.
Chef Tonii Hicks and Steven CW Taylor are innovators and history makers. Hicks has worked in some of Philly’s most prestigious kitchens such as SOUTH and High Street Philly, and she’s also an activist, advocating for farm-fresh food in low-income communities. Most recently, Hicks was named a James Beard Foundation Fellow, enabling her to participate in 10 weeks of training in financial and legal matters, public relations, policy and advocacy, brand development and more. Taylor, owner of Ubuntu Fine Art, traded in his software-engineering job to pursue fine art photography. While doing this, he made history as the first Black photographer in the country to open his own gallery featuring exclusively his own works.
As always, the hosts discuss their favorite Philly things. This time around, the focus is on their must-do November activities.
We’re thankful for Rich Medina and Chef Kurt Evans promoting Philly’s most celebrated traits: arts and activism. International and legendary DJ Rich Medina shares with us his history expressing his heart, soul and activism through music for the last 30 years. Medina also provides the details surrounding Art Basel in Miami, explains why it’s important for the Black arts community and shares info about Love + Grit On The Road during Miami Arts Week. Next up, Evans discusses bringing together food and activism to raise awareness about criminal justice reform in America. Featured in major publications like Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Good Morning America, and Eater, Evans also created the ground-breaking End Mass Incarceration (EMI) dining series which orchestrates dinners themed around the criminal justice system.
And if you’re looking for something to do in Philly other than drinking, the hosts provide their top things to do.
Kevin Parker and Nakia and Taahirah Stith are three incredible Philadelphians walking the runway on this episode. Parker, a model turned designer, tells his story of how he created one of the country’s biggest fashion movements, Philly Fashion Week. The goal of the event, which has featured over 75 international brands and 1,000 local designers, was to develop the reputation of Philadelphia’s fashion industry, improving the local economy with jobs and educational opportunities in fashion. Next up Nakia and Taahirah, two dope sisters are celebrating one year at Dope Botanicals! The Rittenhouse shop has these healthy streets buzzing and offers visitors food, juice and other items to help you live a holistic lifestyle.
If you’re still looking for gift ideas, the hosts share their favorite Black-owned businesses around Philly!
Authentic and diverse stories from Chef Omar Tate, Shawn Finnie, Kenny Gamble and more!
Authentic and diverse stories from Questlove, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Brandon Pankey and more!
Join Rachel, Justin and Laiya as we celebrate 50 Years of Hip Hop and continue to tell Philly's most phenomenal stories!
La Visit Philly Overnight Package — rezève plis pase 190,000 fwa depi 2001 — vini ak pakin otèl gratis (ki vo jiska $100 nan Center City Philadelphia) ak lojman otèl pou yon nuit.
Explore Philly with itineraries from prominent Philadelphians who are members of Black Greek...
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