May 2, 2025 • 10 mins
Guest host Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati sits down with Zabeth Teelucksingh, President of the Global Philadelphia Association, to mark a major milestone—Philadelphia’s 10th anniversary as the first World Heritage City in the United States. They discuss how this designation has elevated the city's global profile and the events planned to celebrate its rich heritage.
🔗 Learn more: globalphiladelphia.org
📲 Follow: Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter
📚 In her segment “What is Philadelphia Reading?” Vanesse welcomes Veronica Britto, Head Librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. They explore current reading trends and highlight upcoming Free Library events tied to the World Heritage celebration.
📅 Check out events: libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar
🔗 Learn more: globalphiladelphia.org
📲 Follow: Instagram | Facebook | X/Twitter
📚 In her segment “What is Philadelphia Reading?” Vanesse welcomes Veronica Britto, Head Librarian at the Free Library of Philadelphia. They explore current reading trends and highlight upcoming Free Library events tied to the World Heritage celebration.
📅 Check out events: libwww.freelibrary.org/calendar
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow, and as we do once
a month every month, we have the fabulous Vanessa Lloyd's gumbody.
She's the founder of the African American Children's Book Fair.
She is a publicist for some of the best and
brightest Black authors and illustrators, and she's here once a
month to talk about something we call the ls Journeys,
(00:23):
where we discuss entertainment and books and travel and so
much more of Its always great to see you.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I am so excited.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
It is May's getting closer to hot weather, and you
know how I love hot weather.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And I have an announcement.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
My granddaughter, she hasn't been to visit since pre COVID days,
and she has informed me the family is coming for
a visit for Memorial Day weekend. Wonderful, Yeah, but it's
kind of strange. My granddaughter is I'm not going to
say she's a mini met She loves a resort. She
always says, is it a resort? I want to luxuriate.
(00:57):
But she informed me on Sunday, I said, we're going
to go here there, We're going up to New York.
She said, I just want to rest. I get up
at six point thirty in the morning. I do not
want to be running around.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
She said.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We're staying at the fourth season. I want to find
a good seat at the pool. She's nine years old,
so I'm a little concerned. She is very precocious. But yeah,
she is a miniveness. It's not a bad thing. She's delightful,
she's pretty, and she is a talented young lady in athletics.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I understand.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Yes, she's a gymnast and she's been winning awards all
over the place.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Anna shout out.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Before I go into the next part of this segment,
my niece Shanda is celebrating a milestone birthday, So happy
birthday at any rate. As always, this is a program
about books, travel and entertainment. And here locally, we've got
a lot of great things. You don't have to go
on the road this month. And I have Zabeth t
(01:51):
lu Singh who is the president of Global Philadelphia Association,
and she's got an exciting program that you can participate
in free of charge. Welcome to the airways of that.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Thank you so much, Vanessa. It's great to be with
you in Lorrain and Veronica and to speak about World
Heritage Week in Philadelphia.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Now, tell me what does Global Philadelphia do.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Global Philadelphia is an organization that came about in twenty
ten when Philadelphia had failed to attract the Olympics to
our city, and they were told two things. One good
news Philadelphia, no one saying anything bad about you. Two
not so great news Philadelphia, no one's saying anything about you.
(02:34):
The reason being Philadelphia really wasn't positioned very effectively internationally,
and so Global Philadelphia was created, an umbrella organization that
brings together all the different international things that are happening
in and around Philadelphia, most notably on our website, Global
Philadelphia dot org, where it's completely free to post an
(02:58):
event that's global in nature.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Well, it sounds like Philadelphia may not be known to
some people, but I call myself the official ambassador to
Philadelphia because when I'm traveling abroad, I tell people who
are right between New York and Washington, DC, Now you've
got a great event coming up, and I'm going to
be a part of it. And it's called World Heritage
(03:20):
Week here in Philadelphia. So tell us how people can
get involved and what it's all about.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Sure, So, as part of our work positioning Philadelphia internationally.
In the fall of twenty fifteen, our city became the
first World Heritage City in the United States. This is
because we have a UNESCO World Heritage Site in our
city Independence Hall, and we've joined a network of three
hundred and thirty cities that also have World Heritage Sites
(03:49):
in their midst. World Heritage Week is designed to showcase
to Philadelphians how international and how much their heritage is important,
both to the folks here but also to folks from
further afield.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
So tell us about some of the events that are
going to happen.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Sure, So we've got a lot of events happening during
the ten day period, kicking off with an FDR Park,
a wonderful event that's put together by the Parks Commission,
showcasing a Latin American soccer tournament but also a Latin
American market. That's on Sunday, May eighteenth. Another favorite of
(04:26):
mine is Shafuso, the Japanese House in Fairmount Park. They're
hosting a special event which highlights Asian Heritage Month, and
we'll be talking about all the regions different Asian organizations,
of which there are many, with many populations from those
areas in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It sounds like it's going to be a really great
event and near a whole lot of things happening, and
we'll be hearing from Veronica who will talk about Veronicabrito,
who will talk about what the free Library is going
to do. But how do people get involved and how
can they contact you? And also, I know your website
heads all of the events listed, so give us all
(05:05):
of that information, because just from the two events that
you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I want to go okay, sure.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
So it's quite simple to be in touch with us
by writing to the email info at Global Philadelphia dot
org or following us on social media. We're on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn,
and you can find us at Global Filler, which is
pretty straightforward. Our website, Global Philadelphia dot org will showcase
(05:32):
the events under World Heritage Week, and as you say,
there are lots of different events, all of them very exciting.
And one of the things we pride ourselves on is
that we cover different communities. So there's something for children,
there's something for students, there's a business panel, there's something
for people interested in arts, there's something for young professionals,
(05:54):
and so on and so forth. We really try to
cover the gamut so that there's an event to her
most people's interests.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Well, it sounds like a great opportunity to get out
and to connect with this wonderful city that I love
so much.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Thank you so much, Zabeth. I look forward to meeting
you in person.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Me too, Venus.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
And thanks to Oliver Franklin he connected me with her.
I said, I want to meet her and a simple email.
That's what I like about email.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Ray.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
And what's coming next, Venus, is a walk in the
park together. I know that we're doing that, right.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
We'll be at Marion Park.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We've come to one of my favorite parts of this segment.
It's called what is Philadelphia Reading? And I have a
very special guest, Veronica Brito. I'm making her name sound Italian.
She is the head librarian correct at the Free Library
of Philadelphia, and she looks so regal. I wish you
could see her. I got to start doing this live
(06:59):
in person.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It looks so beautiful.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
She is going to tell us shares briefly some of
the events the Free Library is doing, which I know
are free surrounding this wonderful world.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Heritage Week.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Yes, Hello, Vanessa, how are you doing today? I'm well
and high Lovraine as well. I am so glad to
be here with all of you today to give you
a heads up, sneak preview of how the Library is
celebrating Philly's World Heritage Week. We have tapped into many
of our neighborhood libraries to bring you everything from author
(07:34):
visits to cultural programs, dances and more.
Speaker 6 (07:38):
To check it out, you should really go to our.
Speaker 7 (07:40):
Website www dot FreeLibrary dot org and you could see
all of the fabulous programs we have all the time,
but specifically during World Heritage Week.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Well, I look forward to presenting a couple of programs
there is so I want to encourage people. I'm not
going to give you all the scoop. I want you
to go to their website because they are doing some
amazing things. I'm proud to be a Philadelphian and have
such a wonderful library. Maybe they could name one of
them after me. Okay, wish for thinking. Let's get down
the business. I'm not joking. What is Philadelphia reading?
Speaker 6 (08:16):
So?
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Are you ready for Veronica?
Speaker 5 (08:18):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
I'm ready?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Okay, what book are you reading?
Speaker 6 (08:21):
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan hate.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
First book you read, The.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
Man that sells the Heads to the Monkeys.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Best book you read, the color purple. Worst book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
I can't think of one. You go to author, coadear Nelson,
buyer or borrow? Borrower?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
What book should everyone have in their library?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
The Bible?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Fiction or nonfiction?
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Nonfiction?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
You have a literary dinner named three people from the
literary community.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You must have.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Michelle Britto, mister man Frisbee, and Trevor Noah.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You know, two thirds of that is a shameless promotion
for your cousin and mister man Frisbee, who has a
book coming out next year.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
But that's okay.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
If you wrote a book about your life, what would
be the title, Bill Lead to the World.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Well, that sounds like a great title. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
I look forward to seeing you and all the wonderful
things that are happening at the.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Free Library of Philadelphia.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Take care, Thank you, Take care everyone.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
As always continued to read, buy a book, and of
course have a blessed day.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
And that was Vaness Lloyd's gumbody. She comes to us
once a month every month with VLS Journeys. I'm Lorraine
Balla Tomorrow we'll have more insight after these messages.
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow, and as we do once
a month every month, we have the fabulous Vanessa Lloyd's gumbody.
She's the founder of the African American Children's Book Fair.
She is a publicist for some of the best and
brightest Black authors and illustrators, and she's here once a
month to talk about something we call the ls Journeys,
(00:23):
where we discuss entertainment and books and travel and so
much more of Its always great to see you.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
I am so excited.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
It is May's getting closer to hot weather, and you
know how I love hot weather.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
And I have an announcement.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
My granddaughter, she hasn't been to visit since pre COVID days,
and she has informed me the family is coming for
a visit for Memorial Day weekend. Wonderful, Yeah, but it's
kind of strange. My granddaughter is I'm not going to
say she's a mini met She loves a resort. She
always says, is it a resort? I want to luxuriate.
(00:57):
But she informed me on Sunday, I said, we're going
to go here there, We're going up to New York.
She said, I just want to rest. I get up
at six point thirty in the morning. I do not
want to be running around.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
She said.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
We're staying at the fourth season. I want to find
a good seat at the pool. She's nine years old,
so I'm a little concerned. She is very precocious. But yeah,
she is a miniveness. It's not a bad thing. She's delightful,
she's pretty, and she is a talented young lady in athletics.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
I understand.
Speaker 3 (01:26):
Yes, she's a gymnast and she's been winning awards all
over the place.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Anna shout out.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
Before I go into the next part of this segment,
my niece Shanda is celebrating a milestone birthday, So happy
birthday at any rate. As always, this is a program
about books, travel and entertainment. And here locally, we've got
a lot of great things. You don't have to go
on the road this month. And I have Zabeth t
(01:51):
lu Singh who is the president of Global Philadelphia Association,
and she's got an exciting program that you can participate
in free of charge. Welcome to the airways of that.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
Thank you so much, Vanessa. It's great to be with
you in Lorrain and Veronica and to speak about World
Heritage Week in Philadelphia.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Now, tell me what does Global Philadelphia do.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Global Philadelphia is an organization that came about in twenty
ten when Philadelphia had failed to attract the Olympics to
our city, and they were told two things. One good
news Philadelphia, no one saying anything bad about you. Two
not so great news Philadelphia, no one's saying anything about you.
(02:34):
The reason being Philadelphia really wasn't positioned very effectively internationally,
and so Global Philadelphia was created, an umbrella organization that
brings together all the different international things that are happening
in and around Philadelphia, most notably on our website, Global
Philadelphia dot org, where it's completely free to post an
(02:58):
event that's global in nature.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Well, it sounds like Philadelphia may not be known to
some people, but I call myself the official ambassador to
Philadelphia because when I'm traveling abroad, I tell people who
are right between New York and Washington, DC, Now you've
got a great event coming up, and I'm going to
be a part of it. And it's called World Heritage
(03:20):
Week here in Philadelphia. So tell us how people can
get involved and what it's all about.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Sure, So, as part of our work positioning Philadelphia internationally.
In the fall of twenty fifteen, our city became the
first World Heritage City in the United States. This is
because we have a UNESCO World Heritage Site in our
city Independence Hall, and we've joined a network of three
hundred and thirty cities that also have World Heritage Sites
(03:49):
in their midst. World Heritage Week is designed to showcase
to Philadelphians how international and how much their heritage is important,
both to the folks here but also to folks from
further afield.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
So tell us about some of the events that are
going to happen.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Sure, So we've got a lot of events happening during
the ten day period, kicking off with an FDR Park,
a wonderful event that's put together by the Parks Commission,
showcasing a Latin American soccer tournament but also a Latin
American market. That's on Sunday, May eighteenth. Another favorite of
(04:26):
mine is Shafuso, the Japanese House in Fairmount Park. They're
hosting a special event which highlights Asian Heritage Month, and
we'll be talking about all the regions different Asian organizations,
of which there are many, with many populations from those
areas in Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It sounds like it's going to be a really great
event and near a whole lot of things happening, and
we'll be hearing from Veronica who will talk about Veronicabrito,
who will talk about what the free Library is going
to do. But how do people get involved and how
can they contact you? And also, I know your website
heads all of the events listed, so give us all
(05:05):
of that information, because just from the two events that
you mentioned.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
I want to go okay, sure.
Speaker 4 (05:11):
So it's quite simple to be in touch with us
by writing to the email info at Global Philadelphia dot
org or following us on social media. We're on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn,
and you can find us at Global Filler, which is
pretty straightforward. Our website, Global Philadelphia dot org will showcase
(05:32):
the events under World Heritage Week, and as you say,
there are lots of different events, all of them very exciting.
And one of the things we pride ourselves on is
that we cover different communities. So there's something for children,
there's something for students, there's a business panel, there's something
for people interested in arts, there's something for young professionals,
(05:54):
and so on and so forth. We really try to
cover the gamut so that there's an event to her
most people's interests.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Well, it sounds like a great opportunity to get out
and to connect with this wonderful city that I love
so much.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Thank you so much, Zabeth. I look forward to meeting
you in person.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Me too, Venus.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
And thanks to Oliver Franklin he connected me with her.
I said, I want to meet her and a simple email.
That's what I like about email.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
Ray.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
And what's coming next, Venus, is a walk in the
park together. I know that we're doing that, right.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
We'll be at Marion Park.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:37):
We've come to one of my favorite parts of this segment.
It's called what is Philadelphia Reading? And I have a
very special guest, Veronica Brito. I'm making her name sound Italian.
She is the head librarian correct at the Free Library
of Philadelphia, and she looks so regal. I wish you
could see her. I got to start doing this live
(06:59):
in person.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
It looks so beautiful.
Speaker 3 (07:01):
She is going to tell us shares briefly some of
the events the Free Library is doing, which I know
are free surrounding this wonderful world.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Heritage Week.
Speaker 5 (07:11):
Yes, Hello, Vanessa, how are you doing today? I'm well
and high Lovraine as well. I am so glad to
be here with all of you today to give you
a heads up, sneak preview of how the Library is
celebrating Philly's World Heritage Week. We have tapped into many
of our neighborhood libraries to bring you everything from author
(07:34):
visits to cultural programs, dances and more.
Speaker 6 (07:38):
To check it out, you should really go to our.
Speaker 7 (07:40):
Website www dot FreeLibrary dot org and you could see
all of the fabulous programs we have all the time,
but specifically during World Heritage Week.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Well, I look forward to presenting a couple of programs
there is so I want to encourage people. I'm not
going to give you all the scoop. I want you
to go to their website because they are doing some
amazing things. I'm proud to be a Philadelphian and have
such a wonderful library. Maybe they could name one of
them after me. Okay, wish for thinking. Let's get down
the business. I'm not joking. What is Philadelphia reading?
Speaker 6 (08:16):
So?
Speaker 2 (08:16):
Are you ready for Veronica?
Speaker 5 (08:18):
Yes?
Speaker 6 (08:18):
I'm ready?
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Okay, what book are you reading?
Speaker 6 (08:21):
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan hate.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
First book you read, The.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
Man that sells the Heads to the Monkeys.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Best book you read, the color purple. Worst book you've read.
Speaker 6 (08:35):
I can't think of one. You go to author, coadear Nelson,
buyer or borrow? Borrower?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
What book should everyone have in their library?
Speaker 6 (08:46):
The Bible?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Fiction or nonfiction?
Speaker 6 (08:49):
Nonfiction?
Speaker 3 (08:50):
You have a literary dinner named three people from the
literary community.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You must have.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
Michelle Britto, mister man Frisbee, and Trevor Noah.
Speaker 3 (09:00):
You know, two thirds of that is a shameless promotion
for your cousin and mister man Frisbee, who has a
book coming out next year.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
But that's okay.
Speaker 3 (09:08):
If you wrote a book about your life, what would
be the title, Bill Lead to the World.
Speaker 2 (09:12):
Well, that sounds like a great title. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
I look forward to seeing you and all the wonderful
things that are happening at the.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Free Library of Philadelphia.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Take care, Thank you, Take care everyone.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
As always continued to read, buy a book, and of
course have a blessed day.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
And that was Vaness Lloyd's gumbody. She comes to us
once a month every month with VLS Journeys. I'm Lorraine
Balla Tomorrow we'll have more insight after these messages.
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