Articles & Videos
Short doc: A DACA recipient braces for the 2024 election
BY RAFAEL BITANGA, NIGEL THOMPSON, AND JALEN RAMSEUR-WILLIAMS ON OCTOBER 2, 2024.
This short documentary features Daniela Morales, a 23-year-old DACA recipient that reflects on the impact that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has made on her life, and the ever-present sense of uncertainty she feels, especially during every election cycle.
40th Annual Feria del Barrio recap
BY ILIANA PINEDA, FRANCES ALMODOVAR, AND CLAUDIA CEBALLOS ON OCTOBER 3, 2024.
The 40th Annual La Feria del Barrio, hosted by Taller Puertorriqueño in partnership with other local Latinx organizations, brought Philly's Latinx community together with live music, dancing, delicious food, and arts on Sept. 8. Watch the full video recap.
Immigrant advocates march keep the pressure on closing detention centers
BY ILIANA PINEDA ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2024. Iliana Pineda reported on the Aug. 21 protest by the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), demanding the closure of four regional detention centers. "We are urging our elected officials to improve immigrant rights, starting with shutting down these centers," stated PICC Executive Director Jasmine Rivera. The protest concluded at U.S. Senator John Fetterman's office, where community members shared their harrowing experiences in detention facilities, including the death of Cameroonian immigrant Frankline Okpu.
Harris, Walz, make powerful, first joint appearance as full Democratic ticket in North Philly
BY NIGEL THOMPSON ON AUGUST 08, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, made their first joint appearance in North Philadelphia in front of 14,000 people. Harris outlined her campaign message, focusing on affordable housing, healthcare, and paid leave for workers. She also emphasized defending fundamental freedoms, including reproductive and voting rights, and promoting gun safety. Governor Walz highlighted his background as a teacher and mentor, emphasizing working for the common good.
New report: Pennsylvania needs immigrants to reverse population decline
Discover how immigrants have revitalized Pennsylvania's population, bolstered local economies, and influenced political representation in PICC's latest report. As the state faces a population decline, immigration emerges as a crucial driver of growth and stability. Learn about the substantial contributions of immigrant workers and entrepreneurs, and the urgent call for pro-immigrant legislation ahead of the 2024 elections.
Comerciantes de Kensington y sus retos para salir adelante en medio de la crisis de opioides
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON MARCH 20, 2024
Los propietarios de negocios en Kensington se enfrentan actualmente a una amplia gama de desafíos que están directamente relacionados con la crisis de los opioides. Algunos de estos desafíos incluyen un aumento en las primas de seguros, recolección de basura perdida, campamentos para personas sin hogar y uso de drogas fuera de sus establecimientos. Estos problemas han disminuido el número de clientes y plantean importantes preocupaciones de salud y seguridad relacionadas con el mercado de drogas al aire libre.
Kensington's Business Community Speaks: The Realities of the Opioid Crisis
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON MARCH 5, 2024
Business owners in Kensington are currently facing a wide range of challenges that are directly linked to the opioid crisis. Some of these challenges include an increase in insurance premiums, missed trash pickups, homeless encampments, and drug use outside their establishments. These issues have decreased the number of customers and pose significant health and safety concerns related to the open-air drug market.
PAFA digitizes 5,000 archives of African-American sculptor John Rhoden
BY NEMESIS MORA ON FEBRUARY 27, 2024
‘Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden' is the first comprehensive retrospective of 20th-century African-American sculptor John Rhoden and is currently open at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA). To continue the artist's legacy, PAFA celebrated on Saturday, February 10, the launch of the catalog book on the life and work of the award-winning sculptor, featuring seven essays and more than 90 pages of photographs.
The Bok Building: A Space for Cultural Rebirth for the Latine Community in Philadelphia
BY DAISY MURGUIA ON FEBRUARY 13TH 2024
The Bok Building is widely recognized as a hub for artists and a place for community events to be held without charge. Community leaders and artists share their experience with the Bok Building and the impact it has on the community with journalist Daisy Murguia. Artists share the need for a space where people can come together to collaborate and organize.
Edificio Bok: Un Espacio para el Renacer Cultural en Filadelfia para la Comunidad Latina
POR DAISY MURGUIA. EL 13 DE FEBRERO DEL 2024
El edificio Bok es ampliamente reconocido como un centro para artistas y un lugar para eventos comunitarios que se llevan a cabo sin costo alguno. Líderes comunitarios y artistas comparten su experiencia con el Edificio Bok y el impacto que tiene en la comunidad con la periodista Daisy Murguia. Los artistas comparten la necesidad de un espacio donde las personas puedan reunirse para organizarse y colaborar.
De Ecuador a Filadelfia- Michelle Myers comparte su experiencia como la primera Gerente editorial Fellow de ¡Presente! Media
POR MICHELLE MYERS TRADUCCION POR DAISY MURGUIA EL 30 DE ENERO DEL 2024
Mientras aclaraba mi confusión mental— en parte cuestionando mi identidad más allá de mi carrera, y en parte cuestionando si existía un lugar donde podía hacer periodismo que le diera importancia a las comunidades a las que iba a cubrir— me hice la compañera de gerente editorial para ¡Presente! del año 2021. Lo que debió ser nada más un compromiso de tres meses se convirtió rápidamente en siete meses de trabajo significativo y sanador.
From Ecuador to Philly- Michelle Myers shares her experience as ¡Presente! Media’s 1st Managing Editor Fellow
BY MICHELLE MYERS ON JANUARY 30, 2024
While sorting out my mental fog —half questioning my identity beyond my career, half questioning if a place to do journalism that cares about the communities it reports on truly existed — I became ¡Presente!’s 2021 Managing Editor Fellow. And what was supposed to be a three-month commitment, quickly turned into seven months of meaningful and healing work.
Ice Out Of Courts Campaign - Philly Community Urges City Investigation
BY BECCA HAYDU ON DECEMBER 21, 2023
On December 4. Juntos and the ICE Out of Courts Coalition hosted a critical press conference at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in South Philadelphia.
The focus? A disturbing uptick in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests targeting over a dozen immigrant community members with pending criminal charges.
OPINIÓN: Alto definitivo al fuego en Palestina: alcemos nuestra voz como latinos
POR CARLOS JOSE PEREZ SAMANO EL 24 DE NOVIEMBRE DEL 2023
Alto al genocidio. Cese inmediato al fuego en Palestina. Estamos siendo testigos de un genocidio histórico y tenemos que detenerlo.
Chef Cristina Martinez talks about the challenges of being an immigrant entrepreneur
BY BECCA HAYDU, CLAUDIA CEBALLOS, JENNIFER HERNANDEZ, GABRIELA WATSON-BURKETT & KIANNI FIGUEREO, ON NOVEMBER 7, 2023
Join us in this heartwarming short documentary as award-winning Mexican Chef Cristina Martinez opens up about her inspiring path as an immigrant entrepreneur. Discover the power of a strong support system and the impact of programs by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Cómo los candidatos a la alcaldía de Filadelfia planean combatir la crisis de opioides en Kensington
POR JENNIFER HERNANDEZ TRADUCCION POR ERICKA CONANT EL 6 DE NOVIEMBRE DEL 2023
La candidata demócrata a la alcaldía Cherelle Parker y el candidato republicano a la alcaldía David Oh discutieron sus planes para hacer frente a la epidemia de opioides en Kensington durante un debate privado con Tina Stankiewicz, una adicta en recuperación de fentanilo, heroína y tranquilizantes vinculada a la comunidad de Kensington, y Frank Rodrigues, un adicto a la heroína en recuperación y defensor de la adicción, moderado por ¡Presente! Media, Kianni Figuereo, natural de Kensington.
How Philly’s mayoral candidates plan to combat the opioid crisis in Kensington
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON OCTOBER 26, 2023
Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker and Republican mayoral nominee David Oh discussed their plans to address the opioid epidemic in Kensington during a private discussion with Tina Stankiewicz, a fentanyl, heroin, and tranq recovering addict with ties to the Kensington community, and Frank Rodriguez, a recovering heroin addict and addiction advocate, moderated by ¡Presente! Media multimedia producer Kianni Figuereo, a Kensington native.
The 1st Annual Souletri Fest honored Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene
BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON OCTOBER 25, 2023
Power Street Theatre (PST) hosted the 1st Annual Souletri Fest on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at the Lighthouse Sports Complex Field to honor Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene and amplify dynamic voices across the city.
Mientras la justicia tarda en llegar para Eddie Irizarry, la comunidad latina de Filadelfia se enfrenta a su relación con la policía
POR NIGEL THOMPSON EL 7 DE OCTUBRE DEL 2023
La semana pasada, un juez retiró todos los cargos de asesinato presentados por el fiscal de distrito Larry Krasner contra el oficial Mark Dial, lo que marcó otra mancha más en la historia entre la justicia penal de Filadelfia y la comunidad latina. Es una relación similar para muchas comunidades latinas en todo el país.
Amid slow justice for Eddie Irizarry, Philly’s Latine community confronts its relationship with police
BY NIGEL THOMPSON ON OCTOBER 7, 2023
This past week, all murder charges filed by District Attorney Larry Krasner against Officer Mark Dial were dropped by a judge, marking yet another stain on the history between Philly criminal justice and the Latine community. It’s a similar relationship for many Latine communities across the country.