Love + Grit

Francisco Garcia & Alba Martínez

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a salsa song dedicated to Philly’s Latinx neighborhoods and a sip of the city's first Latinx-distilled whiskey. Strivers’ Row Distillery, based in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, is owned and operated by Brooklyn ex-pat and the Al Día 40-Under-40-nominated Francisco Garcia. Also on the episode: Alba Martínez, who after a 12-year run at a top financial firm and 23 years dedicated to law, human services and government, is ready to use her expertise to fuel two of her passions: the financial wellness of women and minorities and Latinx arts. Her new salsa song “La Gua Gua 47” pays homage to SEPTA’s 47 bus route. 

David and Aaron Cabello & Brandon Pankey

David and Aaron Cabello were delivering for Uber Eats and Caviar in Center City when they saw a hole in the market. They created Black and Mobile and became the first delivery service based in Philadelphia to partner with and highlight Black-Owned Businesses. Live music is back and the Vice President of Business Development and Operations at Live Nation Urban, Brandon Pankey, is working to build the industry back in the most inclusive way. From his Meet the Execs series on BlackStream Live to launching his own network, APEX, and not to mention producing Philly’s favorite picnic (yes -- the Roots one), Brandon is on a mission and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. 

Charisse McGill & Tina Dixon Spence

This episode’s guests are two women inspired by their children to build thriving Philadelphia businesses. Charisse McGill combined her farmers market expertise and inspiration from her daughter to launch Lokal Artisan Foods. As the first Black woman to vend at Spruce Street Harbor Park and the first Black woman in Pennsylvania with her own craft beer, she’s just getting started. When Tina Dixon Spence could not find a baby store that matched her son’s burgeoning style, she created Buddha Babe, a luxury design studio focusing on accessories for babies, toddlers and the home (and kids parties). She fearlessly launched her Mt. Airy brick-and-mortar amidst a pandemic and aims to make the shop a staple in neighborhoods across the city.

Aidan M. Un and Raishad M. Hardnett & Nasya Jenkins

The BlackStar Film Festival, also known as “Black Sundance,” is the nation’s premier fest for Black, Brown and Indigenous filmmakers. And it’s centered in Philly! On this episode of Love + Grit, hear from local directors screening their work at the 2021 festival. West Philly neighbors and respected filmmakers Raishad M. Hardnett and Aidan M. Un teamed up to produce a short film about Harriett’s Bookshop in Fishtown for the 10th annual festival’s “Stories in Place” series about small businesses. And Nasya Jenkins discusses her short documentary From Digital Divide to Digital Equity about Philly activists leading the fight for digital equity in education. 

Bri Steves & Lady B

You can’t talk about Philly’s hip-hop scene without mentioning Lady B and Bri Steves. These two women are essential to the city’s place in the music industry. One of the first female rappers, Lady B recorded her first single, To the Beat, Y’all, in 1979. The “Godmother of Hip-Hop” has been blazing trails ever since as a performer, DJ and podcaster, paving the way for stars like Bri Steves. East Falls native and Temple University grad Steves has opened for H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar, and landed a BET nomination for her song ANTI QUEEN. Her debut album drops July 30, 2021.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

Ask anyone to name the most iconic Philadelphians and Questlove is top of the list. The West Philly native is the drummer for The Roots and musical director of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; cofounder of digital music and media platforms Okayplayer and OkayAfrica; a James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author; plant-based cheesesteak maker and more. He joins Love + Grit to talk about his career, health and his latest project, Summer of Soul, debuting in theaters and on Hulu on July 2, 2021. With the new film comes a new look: A dramatic weight loss that Questlove attributes in part to better sleeping and breathing. Tune in for a rare discussion of the music icon’s deeply personal journey. 

Ivan Henderson & Kamau Ware

As the birthplace of a new nation, Philadelphia sees independence not just as a single day, but a full season that bridges the celebrations of Juneteenth and July 4th. The guests on this episode of Love + Grit have devoted their careers to centering the stories of African Americans and the African Diaspora. Ivan Henderson is the vice president of programming at The African American Museum in Philadelphia, who has curated Juneteenth events that will join the City of Philadelphia’s 2021 Wawa Welcome America Festival. The expansion of events will explore the historical significance of the two holidays and their themes of freedom and liberty. Kamau Ware brings the Black Gotham multimedia project to Philly, joining a series of walking tours, events and art collections that aim to celebrate the history and culture of African American and Black communities in Philadelphia. 

Beano French & Brianna Castro

Philly’s music scene is one of love, authenticity and community, with people like Kenny Gamble, Dyana Williams and Patti LaBelle supporting and producing unforgettable beats created in the City of Brotherly Love. Today’s hitmakers keep it real. West Philly’s Beano French and North Philadelphia’s Brianna Castro join the Love + Grit hosts in this episode to talk about their burgeoning music careers as Philly — and the nation — celebrates Black Music Month. Both artists are part of the Love + Grit Concert Series Presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA®, an original series streamed exclusively on BlackStream Live, a new Twitch channel delivering curated live programming focused on Black culture, premiering June 1, 2021. 

Nayara Lopes & Marángeli Mejía-Rabell

Two inspiring creators representing Latinx communities join this episode of Love + Grit to discuss their work, their influences and the challenges of turning major artistic experiences into virtual events. Nayara Lopes got her start in Brazil before eventually moving to Philadelphia to join the Pennsylvania Ballet, where the first soloist has starred in The Nutcracker and Cinderella, and is currently filming a new season of original performances for digital audiences. Also going virtual this year: the 10th annual Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, led by Marángeli Mejía Rabell. The Puerto Rican-born arts and culture organizer and cofounder of AFROTAINO has turned PHLAFF into an international event that elevates U.S.-based Latinx and Latin American stories. 

Jennifer Rodríguez & Chef Judith Suzarra-Campbell

Dine Latino Restaurant Week is a way for Philadelphians — and all who visit — to support the growth of local businesses and taste the flavors of Colombian, Mexican, Dominican and other cultures. More than 20 restaurants offer deals for the spring 2021 edition of Restaurant Week, and the guests on this episode have dedicated their careers to supporting the work of Philadelphia’s Latinx communities and food businesses. Jennifer Rodríguez, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, shares details of the many incredible restaurants serving authentic Latin flavors and discusses her work advocating for the 22,000 Latinx-owned business in the Greater Philadelphia region. One of those restaurants is Sazon, Chef Judy Suzarra-Campbell’s Venezuelan spot that makes amazing arepas as part of an almost entirely gluten-free menu.