Gun Violence Solutions: Join Loraine as she dives into "The Trace," a news site focusing on America's gun violence crisis. She talks with reporter Philadelphia Staff Reporter Mensah Dean about potential solutions for safer communities.
o Website: thetrace.org
o Mensah Dean: @mensahdean; @teamtrace (Twitter)
o Facebook: Mensah Dean; Facebook.com/teamtrace
Work Ready Inspiration: Meet Jonathan Fulton, a summer Work Ready student, as he interviews an Eagle Scout role model! ·
Philly Loves Fresh: Loraine visits the corner of 63rd and Spruce to explore Philly Loves Fresh, a program providing affordable produce to under-resourced communities. She speaks with:
o Abdul Jabbar - Owner/Operator, Soul Glo Produce Truck
o Ousmane Diarra - Produce Truck Coordinator (Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health)
o Jennifer (Aquilante) Robinson - Food Policy Coordinator (Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health) ·
Website: https://foodfitphilly.org/phillylovesfresh/ ·
Social Media: @gethealthyPHL (Twitter & Instagram),
@soul_glo__healthy_lifestyle (Instagram)
o Website: thetrace.org
o Mensah Dean: @mensahdean; @teamtrace (Twitter)
o Facebook: Mensah Dean; Facebook.com/teamtrace
Work Ready Inspiration: Meet Jonathan Fulton, a summer Work Ready student, as he interviews an Eagle Scout role model! ·
Philly Loves Fresh: Loraine visits the corner of 63rd and Spruce to explore Philly Loves Fresh, a program providing affordable produce to under-resourced communities. She speaks with:
o Abdul Jabbar - Owner/Operator, Soul Glo Produce Truck
o Ousmane Diarra - Produce Truck Coordinator (Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health)
o Jennifer (Aquilante) Robinson - Food Policy Coordinator (Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health) ·
Website: https://foodfitphilly.org/phillylovesfresh/ ·
Social Media: @gethealthyPHL (Twitter & Instagram),
@soul_glo__healthy_lifestyle (Instagram)
Mark as Played
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. I talk about The Trace
this morning, an important news site focusing on America's gun
violence crisis. I speak with Philadelphia staff reporter and Mansa
Dean about potential solutions for safer communities. I'm delighted to
share an interview by one of my summer work Ready students,
(00:21):
Jonathan Fulton, as he interviews an Eagle Scout and role model.
But first I traveled to a very busy corner of
sixty third n Spruce talk about a program that offers fresh,
affordable produce to under resourced neighborhoods. I have more fruits
and vegetables in my diet because I understand that that's
so important to be healthy. But sometimes it's difficult to
(00:43):
get adequate and affordable fruits and vegetables. That's where the
Philly Loves Fresh program comes in, and we're going to
talk to some folks. Are going to tell us all
about us. First of all, tell us who you are.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm Abdul Jabbar. I'm the owner of Sobill Happy Lifestyle.
We're promoting Philly Loves Fresh Fresh food. Alternative in your neighborhood,
local producers, growers, farmers, and access access to fresh fruits
and vegetables in your neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Why is it so important for folks to have more
fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
It's very important to maintain a healthy diet that consists
of fruits and vegetables to regulate your blood pressure, to
mainshame your health, all your bidals, get all the minerals,
and all the health benefits that you need besides eating
junk food.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
And it just tastes really good.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, very cool. Let's talk to someone else involved. Tell
us who you are.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Hi, everyone, my name is Usman. I'm one of the
Reason's Water Project. I started as a young kid.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I used to always go to photons trucks, but eventually
I started to see things.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
With disappearance and the nick when I got the opportunity
to work with healthy Cards.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Now, let's talk to the Philadelphia Department of Health, which
is sort of in partnership with these wonderful food truck folks.
Tell us who you are and why this campaign Philly
Loves Fresh is why it's here. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
Sure, my name is Jen. I'm with the Health Department
and the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. And
we started this initiative with Usman Yara, who is a
Public Health AmeriCorps Service member working with us and told
us about the importance of produce trucks to him growing
up and how important they were as a access point
for healthy crush food in his neighborhood. So we thought,
(02:17):
let's look into this and see how we can promote
and support produce trucks because they typically don't get a
lot of support from the city, So how can we
make sure that they're out there getting promoted and people
know that they're there and that they have their licenses
by the city, and that they provide a lot of
good quality produce at more affordable prices sometimes. So it's
(02:41):
part of our broader efforts to promote and support access
to fresh, healthy, affordable foods in the city. It's one
of several initiatives that we're working on to improve the
food environment and increase access to healthy food.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
All right, well, let's go back to some of their
food truck fellas, and so you really need for fresh
fruits and vegetables in the community. Both of you now
It's not only that you're bringing the fresh fruits and vegetables.
You're talking to people, You're informing them, you're educating them
as well.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
Is that right?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
An educated consumer a consumer is a great consumer. So
we retain information on products and fruits and vegetables to
help with health needs, dietary restrictions, improvements in your diet,
or just just eating a healthy lifestyle. So we definitely
have a lot of information when it comes to the
fruits and vegetables that I provide, and I definitely open
(03:32):
to any questions or any concerns anybody has in regards
to fruits and vegetables or to changing their diet.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Okay, how often are you here on this corner or
do you move around to different parts of the city.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I'm located on sixty third and Spruce in West Philadelphia.
Every day from eleven to seven. We sell produce all
year round. I sell watermelons all the way into February.
Re open the season in April, and we sell until
February seated watermelons on this corner here, sixty third is
Spruce be located. Also have produce truck behind us and
we keep seated on Just see the grape seed, banana
(04:04):
seeded lemons who specialize in seated fruits all year round.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Right, and what about you are where are you located?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So I'm not a prose truck operator.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
What I do is that I'll facilitate access to these
trucks and.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
With that be inside there's like these one truck.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
There's trucks all over the city and they're strategically located
in the places where people need in the most if
busuy stores are high or there's no access to fresh produce.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
So yeah, that's great. Well, that's important because there's so
many food deserts in our communities with lack of access
to healthy food, a lot of junk food that tends
to sometimes be cheaper than the produce. So it's nice
to have an affordable option. Getting back to our representative
from the Health Department, So if people want to know
(04:47):
where these trucks are located and also any more information
about how important it is to add more fruits and
vegetables in your diet, how do they get more information?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (04:56):
Sure, you can go to our website www dot food
fit Philly dot org and you'll find general information there
about our other initiatives and there's a page specifically for
Philly Loves Fresh, and you'll find info about our initiative,
a map of where the trucks are located, an individual
highlights about each of the operators.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Fresh fruits and vegetables all available to check it out
at affordable prices. Because we know that in our community
we're dying of hot blood pressure, diabetes, and a whole
bunch of illnesses that are preventable and treatable with great diets.
So it's very important for all of us to put
a little more vegetables, a little more fruits and our
(05:38):
diets because that's going to help us be healthy. Right, okay, right,
see you here sixty third and Spruce Cobs Creek Parkway
and Dobe be late. Plus there are lots of other locations.
Check out that website, which.
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Is www dot Foodfitphilly dot org slash Philly loves Fresh, Hey,
love it.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
See you soon. The election in November will impact our
economic opportunities, our healthcare, and big issues like immigration, infrastructure,
and education. Voting lets politicians know Philly's paying attention. The
(06:23):
wellbeing of your community, our community, the future of Philadelphia,
and the future of the country are at stake, find
voter guides reporting about how the November election will affect
Philadelphia and ways to engage in your community.
Speaker 7 (06:37):
And Every Voice Dash Every vote dot org ay Sis
missed you this morning. Kim told me you weren't feeling well,
so I'm just doing a self care check. Ah, thank
you friend. Now you're doing girl. Listen.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
My energy was so low because I didn't eat breakfast
when I got up, so I had to miss virtual
yoga with y'all.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
Trust me, I understand.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
But I'm doing much better now that I've eaten, so
I'm back on track.
Speaker 7 (07:00):
Great in that case, Let's get some steps in tonight.
I'll come over and we can walk around a lake.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
Sounds good. Appreciate you being in my business too. Now
let me get in yours. Did you check your blood
pressure today? I did that and my squad's okay okay.
High blood pressure is not going to be my friend
if I can help it.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
See you at six.
Speaker 8 (07:20):
Let's get it.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
See then.
Speaker 9 (07:23):
Now, more than ever, it's important that we protect our
hearts and the hearts of those we love. Check in
on one another, and be a part of a healthy
blood pressure movement. Rally your squad to take the online
plane at Release the Pressure dot org, brought to you
by the Release the Pressure Coalition and the ad Council.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
You're listening to Insight at the Trace. They are building
the only team of journalists exclusively dedicated to reporting on
our country's gun violence crisis, using the power of journalism
to improve public understanding, in accountability, and identify solutions that
can lead to safer homes and communities for all Americans.
(08:06):
Joining me right now is Mensa M. Dean. He's Philadelphia
staff writer for The Trace. Thanks so much for joining
us here today and Mensa, why the Trace? Why did
you all decide to create this journalistic entry point for folks.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
For those who don't know, I spent more than twenty
years at the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer. Over
those years, I've covered just about everything City Hall School District.
My last assignment was as a member of the Justice
and Injustice team, and we covered the gun violence crisis
in every aspect of the courts, law and order. And
(08:43):
so from that reporting I actually came to the attention.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Of the trades.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
The Trace, as you said, is a national news organization
that covers gun violence, in gun legislation, exclusively, and so
they saw the work I was in Philadelphia and they
were planning to open a Philadelphia beer So they asked
me if I would join them, and I said yes.
And I like the fact that I could focus on
this topic continue to do this work in mainstream journalism,
(09:08):
you know, you're on a beat and then eventually you're
doing something else. I did five years of courts than
I did, like I said, ten years of school district.
I did two years in city hall. I did several
of the beats in those twenty five years. This gave
me the opportunity to cover this issue. It's a primary issue.
It's come violence in particular, especially in the Black community,
is a like changing, like altering, life ending thing, and
(09:32):
it's something that we need to continuously focus on and
trying to get to the root causes of why there's
so much violence some of our communities. And so, you know,
I like being a reporter who reports on things that
are primarily important to people's.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Lives, very important work and speaking of which, as we
try to tease out the causes of violence, we look
at the ups and downs. We had a record breaking
cup years of murders, but that has gone down fairly drastically,
and I wonder, as someone who's been really looking at
(10:08):
this issue so closely, can we talk about what are
some of the factors that have led to this reduction
in gun violence. It's a reduction, but it's not an
illumination of gun violence. Tell us more, the.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
City officials, criminologists nationally cannot say for certain why the
gun violence is down. They know certainly that it's down.
I mean, we're down about thirty six percent as we
speak today in homicides. Some of the reasons given are
that the pandemic is over, and that created a lot
of anxiety and stress and turmoil in the lives of
(10:43):
the community. And you know, you as stress levels go up,
crime and violence levels go up as well. We were
right on a roller coaster where we hit a peak
of the violence and gun violence in particular and homicides
that we've never had as many homicides in any giving
year than we did twenty twenty one at the height
of the pandemic, five hundred and sixty three homicides. We
(11:06):
then a year later in twenty twenty two, it had
dropped down to five hundred and eight or so, and
then last year was four hundred and ten. We're on
our way down to three pandemic numbers. It will appear.
Why that is, you know, the rhythms of routine for
many people who have returned schools back in session work
(11:26):
is people are working. You don't have time to be
out in the streets. You don't have time to worry
about things that you wouldn't normally be worried about. In addition,
the city spent hundreds of millions of dollars to nonprofit
organizations mini groups that have been around for years and
helping them to expand their footprint in their own communities,
to work with primarily young men, and giving them things
(11:47):
to do that are productive, keeping them off the streets,
keeping them from being idle. The city started the programs
like the Group Violence Intervention Program, where they city folks
and the police go to these communities and talk to
young people face to face, to go to their homes
and to confront them because that's show that these are
the ones who are likely to be heard or to
(12:10):
hurt somebody. And so they've done these programs. It's cost
a lot of money. We're talking more than half a
billion dollars and new money were put towards these programs
since twenty twenty. You have to assume that that's paying off.
It's literally paying off and lives being saved, the combination
of the pandemic ending and addressed. You know, they put
(12:31):
their money where the problem was. And so I would
think that these are the logical reasons why the gun
violence is dropping. Again, there's no official white paper from
the city or the state or as to why that is,
but these are the reasons being given.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Well, the Trace says that you all believe that when
an issue is shrouded by a knowledge gap, journalism can
be a big part of the solution. And the truth
is that a lot of times we many people go
through life without paying much attention to journalism. You know,
newspaper circulation is down, and the rise of social media
(13:09):
as a news source not always accurate. In fact, often
very inaccurate is out there. So the Trace sounds like
it's trying to fill that gap that's out there. And
so I'm wondering, as you have been examining once again
this issue, and you've touched on some of the reasons
why violence or gun violence is down, but I wonder
(13:30):
if you can maybe speak to some things that you've
observed or reported on that you find have been effective
in reducing violence.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Just bringing light to the issue is important because there's
so many issues to focus on. I mean, we just
saw the political conventions wrap up. The Democrats. They're talking
about the border, and they're talking about the economy, and
they're talking about democracy, and they actually one night got
around they're talking about gun violence and they had the
(14:00):
mothers and others and loved ones of people who have
been murdered in some high proofoil cases. And it was
very effective.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
I thought, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
That you were reminding people that, you know, the homicide
is the leading cause of death amongst you young black
men in America. You know, just the fact this issue
needs to never be on the on the back burner,
not in the black community. It needs to be always
on the front burner because we are thirteen percent of
the population and FI I would tell you that we
are account for over forty percent of the homicides and
(14:29):
so that's astronomical in numbers. The things that I that
I liked are solutions. You know, I did a story
about the Cities Group Violence Intervention program about how it worked.
They had an independent study that showed it is actually
helping to reduce crime. So I was able to meet
up with them and find and they were able to
explain to me how they do what they do. I
met the people, the people who go out on the
(14:50):
streets and the mothers who go out there with these
with the city votes and the police. It's good as
a journalist to see how it works, not just to
have someone tell you that a press conference I works.
I've done some reporting on programs like that. Some community groups.
I knew that some of them before I was at
the Trades up obviously working for the Enquirer, and I've
(15:11):
been able to spend more time with some of these groups,
and that helps a lot as well from my understanding
of how what it takes to be able to reach
young people. These are not characters. These are human beings,
and a lot of them have They're born into the
environments where they are lacking a lot of things that
you would keep the average person from going out in
the street and doing the wrong thing, and so they
(15:31):
need a lot of intervention, a lot of and a
lot of help helping to redirect them so that they
can take another path before they end up statistic. As
a reporter at really Trace, like I said, we get
to spend a lot of time meeting these people. I mean,
the inquirer, I would do fires right, I would do
our accidents that the traits we just do gun violence
(15:52):
and gun solutions.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
And I think what's very important about the Trace and
about what you do is that you do put the
human side of this issue out front. So often as
we see on TV News primarily but certainly you know
in other media legacy media outlets, we don't always get
the full story. We'd always get the impact, and we
(16:14):
don't always understand why people do what they do. And
to be able to shed light and to create sort
of a human interaction with individuals that people might have
certain judgments about. Understanding who these folks are is really
part of the solution. And that's what the Trace does
so well. If people want to know more about everything
(16:35):
that you do with the Trace, the excellent coverage that
you provide on this issue, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (16:40):
You can just find us online. We're at Thetrace dot org.
And that's the and then t r ace like tracing evidence,
you know, or a bullet you know. That's where the
name comes from. So the Trace dot org dot com
but dot org, and if you go there, you root around,
you'll see that there's a place on our homepage for
(17:01):
the Philadelphia Bureau where our work is with another journalist,
Alfia Tucker. She's the community engagement reporter and I'm like
the staff writer reporter. Actually I do the hard news
and then she does more of the working with the community,
doing programs to interact with community folks. We also have
(17:22):
a repository of information of you know, service organizations that
help people who've been affected by gun violence. It's called
up the Block. And if you just go to the
trades dot org, go to the search engine and type
in up the block. They have organizations that help folks
in every way with grief counseling, those who are coming
(17:43):
out of incarceration. We have organizations that help those involved
in domestic violence trying to you know, get themselves free
of domestic violence. Community groups who are offering teams services,
young adult services, mental health services. And again you can
reach that by going to the trades dot org, the
(18:05):
search box on the web page and just type in
up the block.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Fantastic, very important information to share. The Trace a team
of journalists exclusively dedicated to reporting on our country's gun
violence crisis. Mansa Dean, Philadelphia staff writer for The Trace.
Check out The Trace at Thetrace dot org. Thank you
so much, Mensa.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Thank you, Lorrain. Have a good morning.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Relationship abuse impact all of us this Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Will you be an advocate for healthy safe relationships? Join
us for Women Against Abuses seventeenth annual I Pledge campaign.
This is a community event and resource fair that pulls
hundreds together to rally support to end relationship violence. I
(18:52):
Pledge is coming up on Tuesday, October first, at noon
in the courtyard of Philadelphia's City Hall. For more information,
visit Women Against Abuse.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
There are many programs provided for our youth to help
and serve and to grow. I'm John and Foe and
they work ready student at iHeartMedia. And today we have
our first Eagle Scout from ni Chapernaco Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Here from Troop one twenty six. Here today we have
is Davon Bird. How you doing today? I'm good? Are
you good?
Speaker 1 (19:23):
So?
Speaker 4 (19:23):
I have this one question for you. How was scouting
like when you were younger?
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Oh? Man, it was, it was great. I mean, just
the youth leadership and also the adult leadership, the two
of them working in tandem and just kind of seeing things.
It's like this really really young scout in like what
first grade, second grade, and just seeing how these guys
have progressed, you know, it was really inspiration to see
how they've given back to youth and also having my
own peers and how they lead the entire troops together
street something to behold.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Okay, have you had any goals? Have you ever had
a mindset for, like a goal that you had when
you were a young scout.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
Honestly, my goals have shifted, like so many times throughout
the years. I I'll try to give you a few
of them. I can remember rough the side my head.
The first was to try to be like the guy
that was in charge, you know, the guy that the
adults always went to, the guy that you know, they
would always sit at the big grown up table, if
that makes sense, you know. So you see all these
adults and all the older kids send at the grown table,
and then there's this young scout sitting at the little
(20:17):
kids table. I'm was like, man, what would that be
like to really be in charge?
Speaker 4 (20:20):
To college shots?
Speaker 5 (20:21):
And really hear what goes on from up top, you know.
So that was one of the goals I had. Another
goal was to be like them, to try and be
in a way of reliable figure that other people that
could look up to. Really, even as I got older,
you know, having scouts are younger than me and people.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
That were now in my upper upper level.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
With the boy scouts being older than on that just
being able to be that person they rely on.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Okay, that's really cool because you know that people really
want scouting to be noticed more. Some people out in
you know a lot of different communities don't really know
what scouting is, but a lot of them do and
they're trying to bring it back. So having that kind
of mindset will really have that improvement. And speaking of improvement,
how did scouting as a young scout help you improve
(21:07):
to where you are as an Eagle Scout today?
Speaker 5 (21:10):
It changed my mindset. It changes how I carry myself,
change how other people may perceive me. You know, I
know that the whole first Eagle Scout thing, it was
just it's a title that I hear so many times,
but I will rarely ever say it out of my mouth,
you know, unless someone we were just talking about scouting
for example, There's just so many times people will say
it for me. I'm just like, yeah, yeah, I did that,
but no, for really it after that with e Noto
(21:32):
being such a big church, and then you know, Christianity
being as scrutinized as it is it should be sometimes
because we other people that are crazy and chaotic, you know,
but they currently be of the Christian faith. I try
to carry myself that in a way that makes both
look in a positive light and not just look but
also lives the light and talks the walks of walk
that we do proclaim, you know, try to be that
(21:54):
leader and not just the boy Scout beings, but also
you know in the arcdenttural office, in my studios back
in school before I graduated, and even just simple interactions
with people, you know, just like how I treat people,
trying to live a Scout law and also live how
I was taught.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
Okay, that's really good. How does scouting impact your life
and teach you lessons as you were growing?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
It's number of things, whether it be for just overall
survival or literally just being that one guy in the
room that just knows first day and you know, just
you see this surprise look on people's faces, like, wait,
how do you know that? Mike, Yeah, I did a
little bit with Boy Scouts. I was kind of taught that.
But overall, just some things that enon and Scouts will
teach you that maybe other Boy Scout troops won't teach you, you know,
(22:37):
such as how to be a young black man in
h not just Philly, but also America. You know, how
to carry yourself in a way that allows you to
be seen beyond just the stereotypes. You know, it's just
some kid that was, you know, growing up in North
Philly or uptown Philadelphia. They already have their own preconceived
notions and then you get surprised number when they hear
me talk. And number two, just the way you know,
(22:57):
we just interact with each other, you know, just it's
great to go beyond what's expected. And I think that's
one thing that has definitely helped me with e Noon Scouts,
who were the most important people that helped you in scouting.
You know, it's just it's funny, uh the Eagle Scouts cremony.
Always think back to this big court Vander that that
(23:19):
whole event that went on in the sanctuary. I looked
out when I still in that pulpit and I saw
a full sanctuary as it was Sunday morning service, and
I was like, oh my God, like, this is what
villas look like. So it's so hard to answer that
question because all the people you saw, I'm going to
guarantee at least ninety five percent of those.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
People in there had something to do with it, whether
it be someone.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Like Pastor Waller or Scout Master Bart, my own parents,
people that even sit around us in church. Even people
are even in the church seventeen nineteen a foon call
First Methodist of Germantown. You know, their troop. I remember
I had some different events with them as well. They
came out to support me, and they're not even part
of the troop. They're not even part of the church
(24:00):
that matter. You know, just people that I've encountered on,
whether it be a week to be basis, or just
every now and then or maybe just once a year
for example, some may people that help in that walk,
you know, just it's hard to narrow down a few.
But if I were to, then you Scout Mast the bar,
Pastor Waller, my parents, and just them media village.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Okay, that's really cool. As an ego scout, what do
you hope to teach and inspire young scouts? The things
that you learn so they can reach their goals and scouts,
I want to teach them that it's possible, okay.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Whatever they want to do, whatever they want to put
their minds to. Because you know, we've already heard the
stat fifty million times. You know, we have x amount
of Black Eagle Scouts within Philadelphia, x amount of Black
Eagle Scouts in America.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
It's such a.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Rare statistic that we're slowly strying to climb that with
Emon Scouts and all that. But beyond the whole Eagle
Scout thing, I want to show them that it is possible.
You know, it is possible to go on and do
whatever you want to do. It doesn't have to be
something related to dribbling or throwing a ball. It doesn't
have to be something related to singing or wrapping, you know,
anything like that. Whatever you want to do, you can
(25:03):
do it as long as we your mind to it.
You know, put the education and put in the work,
put in the mental stream that is required to do
these things.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
Beyond just equal scout that's really cool. And how can
scouting scouting in general, because you mentioned that there's more
to Scouts than just coming together and coming around the table.
You mentioned that, but you also said that scouting can
also help them just achieve whatever they want to do.
How can those things change lives? Do you think that
(25:32):
it would have an impact on them, like with their
career goals or anything like, how can they use scouting
like material to use that in their career?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Well, I think the first answer that immediately came to
mind when I was hearing your question was all the
merit badges we have, you know, their merior badges that
specialized in so many different industries, even my own industry, architecture.
If you're going to music, they got something for that.
In medicine they got something for that, law meant something. Fact,
it's so many different things that are included in the
Boy Scouts and their Meribads programs that if you really
do take an interest in something, you can dabble in
(26:02):
it real quick with having to spend thousands of dollars
on Actually when a college university, you can go into
a Meribass college for example, one hundred dollars or so
and then go into the course and maybe not even that,
you know, maybe you just have it for even less,
just accountil you run into and you can just go
in and take the course. I think another thing that
scouting has helped with real life professions was the leadership
aspect of it. You know, so many professons we have
now require that aspect of leadership, and I think that's
(26:25):
a great base for any young person to start off
with in terms of gaining that leadership taste, if you will,
you know, trying to give them a little introduction because
you've seen it. You know, even just summer camp for example,
you're just leading that group of boys. You know, it
really is a challenge, but that prepares you. It prepares
you for those business meeting. It prepares you for those
higher ups that are even older than you, for example,
(26:46):
but think they know everything. But then you go ahead
and tell them, wave a minute, you may not know everything.
So it's a great introduction to how you can lead
in a professional environment.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
One last thing, how did scouting improve you for your career?
Goes now?
Speaker 5 (27:01):
It definitely inspired the creative part of me, because you know,
even with leadership, you do require a bit of creativity,
and how you want to lead, how you want to organize.
Architecture is so much built on structure and organizing and creativity.
There's so many things expected of an architect, just like
how there's so many things expected from senior patrol leader.
You know, you're expected to have all these different hats.
(27:22):
You're supposed to wear and put them more and rip
them off at any given time. That whole multitasking aspect
of it. Some little kid over there not supposed to
doing something. I have to get everyone ready for this,
or you don't have to organize that. It reminds me
so much of the duties of an architect when a
project is already underway, and even back in school, when
I already have these different duties from different professors. One
professor wants me to do X Y, and z afessor
(27:43):
wants me z yx, and one pfessor wants me to
do one, two, three for five, you know, So it's
like it's trying to multitask, trying to juggle at the
same time. I think that has really helped me, and
that development helped me kind of navigate that crazy archestral world.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
That's all we have. I thank you for being here
so much. This is Dave von Bird, first Eagle Scout
of Troop one twenty six in Philadelphia, enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, PA.
Thank you for being here with us the problem. Thank
you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword Community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yey Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrow and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(28:31):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
Good morning, and welcome to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. I talk about The Trace
this morning, an important news site focusing on America's gun
violence crisis. I speak with Philadelphia staff reporter and Mansa
Dean about potential solutions for safer communities. I'm delighted to
share an interview by one of my summer work Ready students,
(00:21):
Jonathan Fulton, as he interviews an Eagle Scout and role model.
But first I traveled to a very busy corner of
sixty third n Spruce talk about a program that offers fresh,
affordable produce to under resourced neighborhoods. I have more fruits
and vegetables in my diet because I understand that that's
so important to be healthy. But sometimes it's difficult to
(00:43):
get adequate and affordable fruits and vegetables. That's where the
Philly Loves Fresh program comes in, and we're going to
talk to some folks. Are going to tell us all
about us. First of all, tell us who you are.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Hello.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
I'm Abdul Jabbar. I'm the owner of Sobill Happy Lifestyle.
We're promoting Philly Loves Fresh Fresh food. Alternative in your neighborhood,
local producers, growers, farmers, and access access to fresh fruits
and vegetables in your neighborhood.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Why is it so important for folks to have more
fruits and vegetables in their diet.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
It's very important to maintain a healthy diet that consists
of fruits and vegetables to regulate your blood pressure, to
mainshame your health, all your bidals, get all the minerals,
and all the health benefits that you need besides eating
junk food.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
And it just tastes really good.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, very cool. Let's talk to someone else involved. Tell
us who you are.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Hi, everyone, my name is Usman. I'm one of the
Reason's Water Project. I started as a young kid.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
I used to always go to photons trucks, but eventually
I started to see things.
Speaker 5 (01:38):
With disappearance and the nick when I got the opportunity
to work with healthy Cards.
Speaker 1 (01:42):
Now, let's talk to the Philadelphia Department of Health, which
is sort of in partnership with these wonderful food truck folks.
Tell us who you are and why this campaign Philly
Loves Fresh is why it's here. Yeah.
Speaker 6 (01:54):
Sure, my name is Jen. I'm with the Health Department
and the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention. And
we started this initiative with Usman Yara, who is a
Public Health AmeriCorps Service member working with us and told
us about the importance of produce trucks to him growing
up and how important they were as a access point
for healthy crush food in his neighborhood. So we thought,
(02:17):
let's look into this and see how we can promote
and support produce trucks because they typically don't get a
lot of support from the city, So how can we
make sure that they're out there getting promoted and people
know that they're there and that they have their licenses
by the city, and that they provide a lot of
good quality produce at more affordable prices sometimes. So it's
(02:41):
part of our broader efforts to promote and support access
to fresh, healthy, affordable foods in the city. It's one
of several initiatives that we're working on to improve the
food environment and increase access to healthy food.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
All right, well, let's go back to some of their
food truck fellas, and so you really need for fresh
fruits and vegetables in the community. Both of you now
It's not only that you're bringing the fresh fruits and vegetables.
You're talking to people, You're informing them, you're educating them
as well.
Speaker 7 (03:11):
Is that right?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
An educated consumer a consumer is a great consumer. So
we retain information on products and fruits and vegetables to
help with health needs, dietary restrictions, improvements in your diet,
or just just eating a healthy lifestyle. So we definitely
have a lot of information when it comes to the
fruits and vegetables that I provide, and I definitely open
(03:32):
to any questions or any concerns anybody has in regards
to fruits and vegetables or to changing their diet.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Okay, how often are you here on this corner or
do you move around to different parts of the city.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
I'm located on sixty third and Spruce in West Philadelphia.
Every day from eleven to seven. We sell produce all
year round. I sell watermelons all the way into February.
Re open the season in April, and we sell until
February seated watermelons on this corner here, sixty third is
Spruce be located. Also have produce truck behind us and
we keep seated on Just see the grape seed, banana
(04:04):
seeded lemons who specialize in seated fruits all year round.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Right, and what about you are where are you located?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
So I'm not a prose truck operator.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
What I do is that I'll facilitate access to these
trucks and.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
With that be inside there's like these one truck.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
There's trucks all over the city and they're strategically located
in the places where people need in the most if
busuy stores are high or there's no access to fresh produce.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
So yeah, that's great. Well, that's important because there's so
many food deserts in our communities with lack of access
to healthy food, a lot of junk food that tends
to sometimes be cheaper than the produce. So it's nice
to have an affordable option. Getting back to our representative
from the Health Department, So if people want to know
(04:47):
where these trucks are located and also any more information
about how important it is to add more fruits and
vegetables in your diet, how do they get more information?
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (04:56):
Sure, you can go to our website www dot food
fit Philly dot org and you'll find general information there
about our other initiatives and there's a page specifically for
Philly Loves Fresh, and you'll find info about our initiative,
a map of where the trucks are located, an individual
highlights about each of the operators.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Fresh fruits and vegetables all available to check it out
at affordable prices. Because we know that in our community
we're dying of hot blood pressure, diabetes, and a whole
bunch of illnesses that are preventable and treatable with great diets.
So it's very important for all of us to put
a little more vegetables, a little more fruits and our
(05:38):
diets because that's going to help us be healthy. Right, okay, right,
see you here sixty third and Spruce Cobs Creek Parkway
and Dobe be late. Plus there are lots of other locations.
Check out that website, which.
Speaker 6 (05:55):
Is www dot Foodfitphilly dot org slash Philly loves Fresh, Hey,
love it.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
See you soon. The election in November will impact our
economic opportunities, our healthcare, and big issues like immigration, infrastructure,
and education. Voting lets politicians know Philly's paying attention. The
(06:23):
wellbeing of your community, our community, the future of Philadelphia,
and the future of the country are at stake, find
voter guides reporting about how the November election will affect
Philadelphia and ways to engage in your community.
Speaker 7 (06:37):
And Every Voice Dash Every vote dot org ay Sis
missed you this morning. Kim told me you weren't feeling well,
so I'm just doing a self care check. Ah, thank
you friend. Now you're doing girl. Listen.
Speaker 8 (06:48):
My energy was so low because I didn't eat breakfast
when I got up, so I had to miss virtual
yoga with y'all.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
Trust me, I understand.
Speaker 8 (06:56):
But I'm doing much better now that I've eaten, so
I'm back on track.
Speaker 7 (07:00):
Great in that case, Let's get some steps in tonight.
I'll come over and we can walk around a lake.
Speaker 8 (07:05):
Sounds good. Appreciate you being in my business too. Now
let me get in yours. Did you check your blood
pressure today? I did that and my squad's okay okay.
High blood pressure is not going to be my friend
if I can help it.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
See you at six.
Speaker 8 (07:20):
Let's get it.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
See then.
Speaker 9 (07:23):
Now, more than ever, it's important that we protect our
hearts and the hearts of those we love. Check in
on one another, and be a part of a healthy
blood pressure movement. Rally your squad to take the online
plane at Release the Pressure dot org, brought to you
by the Release the Pressure Coalition and the ad Council.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
You're listening to Insight at the Trace. They are building
the only team of journalists exclusively dedicated to reporting on
our country's gun violence crisis, using the power of journalism
to improve public understanding, in accountability, and identify solutions that
can lead to safer homes and communities for all Americans.
(08:06):
Joining me right now is Mensa M. Dean. He's Philadelphia
staff writer for The Trace. Thanks so much for joining
us here today and Mensa, why the Trace? Why did
you all decide to create this journalistic entry point for folks.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
For those who don't know, I spent more than twenty
years at the Philadelphia Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer. Over
those years, I've covered just about everything City Hall School District.
My last assignment was as a member of the Justice
and Injustice team, and we covered the gun violence crisis
in every aspect of the courts, law and order. And
(08:43):
so from that reporting I actually came to the attention.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Of the trades.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
The Trace, as you said, is a national news organization
that covers gun violence, in gun legislation, exclusively, and so
they saw the work I was in Philadelphia and they
were planning to open a Philadelphia beer So they asked
me if I would join them, and I said yes.
And I like the fact that I could focus on
this topic continue to do this work in mainstream journalism,
(09:08):
you know, you're on a beat and then eventually you're
doing something else. I did five years of courts than
I did, like I said, ten years of school district.
I did two years in city hall. I did several
of the beats in those twenty five years. This gave
me the opportunity to cover this issue. It's a primary issue.
It's come violence in particular, especially in the Black community,
is a like changing, like altering, life ending thing, and
(09:32):
it's something that we need to continuously focus on and
trying to get to the root causes of why there's
so much violence some of our communities. And so, you know,
I like being a reporter who reports on things that
are primarily important to people's.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Lives, very important work and speaking of which, as we
try to tease out the causes of violence, we look
at the ups and downs. We had a record breaking
cup years of murders, but that has gone down fairly drastically,
and I wonder, as someone who's been really looking at
(10:08):
this issue so closely, can we talk about what are
some of the factors that have led to this reduction
in gun violence. It's a reduction, but it's not an
illumination of gun violence. Tell us more, the.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
City officials, criminologists nationally cannot say for certain why the
gun violence is down. They know certainly that it's down.
I mean, we're down about thirty six percent as we
speak today in homicides. Some of the reasons given are
that the pandemic is over, and that created a lot
of anxiety and stress and turmoil in the lives of
(10:43):
the community. And you know, you as stress levels go up,
crime and violence levels go up as well. We were
right on a roller coaster where we hit a peak
of the violence and gun violence in particular and homicides
that we've never had as many homicides in any giving
year than we did twenty twenty one at the height
of the pandemic, five hundred and sixty three homicides. We
(11:06):
then a year later in twenty twenty two, it had
dropped down to five hundred and eight or so, and
then last year was four hundred and ten. We're on
our way down to three pandemic numbers. It will appear.
Why that is, you know, the rhythms of routine for
many people who have returned schools back in session work
(11:26):
is people are working. You don't have time to be
out in the streets. You don't have time to worry
about things that you wouldn't normally be worried about. In addition,
the city spent hundreds of millions of dollars to nonprofit
organizations mini groups that have been around for years and
helping them to expand their footprint in their own communities,
to work with primarily young men, and giving them things
(11:47):
to do that are productive, keeping them off the streets,
keeping them from being idle. The city started the programs
like the Group Violence Intervention Program, where they city folks
and the police go to these communities and talk to
young people face to face, to go to their homes
and to confront them because that's show that these are
the ones who are likely to be heard or to
(12:10):
hurt somebody. And so they've done these programs. It's cost
a lot of money. We're talking more than half a
billion dollars and new money were put towards these programs
since twenty twenty. You have to assume that that's paying off.
It's literally paying off and lives being saved, the combination
of the pandemic ending and addressed. You know, they put
(12:31):
their money where the problem was. And so I would
think that these are the logical reasons why the gun
violence is dropping. Again, there's no official white paper from
the city or the state or as to why that is,
but these are the reasons being given.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Well, the Trace says that you all believe that when
an issue is shrouded by a knowledge gap, journalism can
be a big part of the solution. And the truth
is that a lot of times we many people go
through life without paying much attention to journalism. You know,
newspaper circulation is down, and the rise of social media
(13:09):
as a news source not always accurate. In fact, often
very inaccurate is out there. So the Trace sounds like
it's trying to fill that gap that's out there. And
so I'm wondering, as you have been examining once again
this issue, and you've touched on some of the reasons
why violence or gun violence is down, but I wonder
(13:30):
if you can maybe speak to some things that you've
observed or reported on that you find have been effective
in reducing violence.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Just bringing light to the issue is important because there's
so many issues to focus on. I mean, we just
saw the political conventions wrap up. The Democrats. They're talking
about the border, and they're talking about the economy, and
they're talking about democracy, and they actually one night got
around they're talking about gun violence and they had the
(14:00):
mothers and others and loved ones of people who have
been murdered in some high proofoil cases. And it was
very effective.
Speaker 4 (14:06):
I thought, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
That you were reminding people that, you know, the homicide
is the leading cause of death amongst you young black
men in America. You know, just the fact this issue
needs to never be on the on the back burner,
not in the black community. It needs to be always
on the front burner because we are thirteen percent of
the population and FI I would tell you that we
are account for over forty percent of the homicides and
(14:29):
so that's astronomical in numbers. The things that I that
I liked are solutions. You know, I did a story
about the Cities Group Violence Intervention program about how it worked.
They had an independent study that showed it is actually
helping to reduce crime. So I was able to meet
up with them and find and they were able to
explain to me how they do what they do. I
met the people, the people who go out on the
(14:50):
streets and the mothers who go out there with these
with the city votes and the police. It's good as
a journalist to see how it works, not just to
have someone tell you that a press conference I works.
I've done some reporting on programs like that. Some community groups.
I knew that some of them before I was at
the Trades up obviously working for the Enquirer, and I've
(15:11):
been able to spend more time with some of these groups,
and that helps a lot as well from my understanding
of how what it takes to be able to reach
young people. These are not characters. These are human beings,
and a lot of them have They're born into the
environments where they are lacking a lot of things that
you would keep the average person from going out in
the street and doing the wrong thing, and so they
(15:31):
need a lot of intervention, a lot of and a
lot of help helping to redirect them so that they
can take another path before they end up statistic. As
a reporter at really Trace, like I said, we get
to spend a lot of time meeting these people. I mean,
the inquirer, I would do fires right, I would do
our accidents that the traits we just do gun violence
(15:52):
and gun solutions.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
And I think what's very important about the Trace and
about what you do is that you do put the
human side of this issue out front. So often as
we see on TV News primarily but certainly you know
in other media legacy media outlets, we don't always get
the full story. We'd always get the impact, and we
(16:14):
don't always understand why people do what they do. And
to be able to shed light and to create sort
of a human interaction with individuals that people might have
certain judgments about. Understanding who these folks are is really
part of the solution. And that's what the Trace does
so well. If people want to know more about everything
(16:35):
that you do with the Trace, the excellent coverage that
you provide on this issue, where do they go?
Speaker 2 (16:40):
You can just find us online. We're at Thetrace dot org.
And that's the and then t r ace like tracing evidence,
you know, or a bullet you know. That's where the
name comes from. So the Trace dot org dot com
but dot org, and if you go there, you root around,
you'll see that there's a place on our homepage for
(17:01):
the Philadelphia Bureau where our work is with another journalist,
Alfia Tucker. She's the community engagement reporter and I'm like
the staff writer reporter. Actually I do the hard news
and then she does more of the working with the community,
doing programs to interact with community folks. We also have
(17:22):
a repository of information of you know, service organizations that
help people who've been affected by gun violence. It's called
up the Block. And if you just go to the
trades dot org, go to the search engine and type
in up the block. They have organizations that help folks
in every way with grief counseling, those who are coming
(17:43):
out of incarceration. We have organizations that help those involved
in domestic violence trying to you know, get themselves free
of domestic violence. Community groups who are offering teams services,
young adult services, mental health services. And again you can
reach that by going to the trades dot org, the
(18:05):
search box on the web page and just type in
up the block.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Fantastic, very important information to share. The Trace a team
of journalists exclusively dedicated to reporting on our country's gun
violence crisis. Mansa Dean, Philadelphia staff writer for The Trace.
Check out The Trace at Thetrace dot org. Thank you
so much, Mensa.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Thank you, Lorrain. Have a good morning.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
Relationship abuse impact all of us this Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Will you be an advocate for healthy safe relationships? Join
us for Women Against Abuses seventeenth annual I Pledge campaign.
This is a community event and resource fair that pulls
hundreds together to rally support to end relationship violence. I
(18:52):
Pledge is coming up on Tuesday, October first, at noon
in the courtyard of Philadelphia's City Hall. For more information,
visit Women Against Abuse.
Speaker 4 (19:04):
There are many programs provided for our youth to help
and serve and to grow. I'm John and Foe and
they work ready student at iHeartMedia. And today we have
our first Eagle Scout from ni Chapernaco Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Here from Troop one twenty six. Here today we have
is Davon Bird. How you doing today? I'm good? Are
you good?
Speaker 1 (19:23):
So?
Speaker 4 (19:23):
I have this one question for you. How was scouting
like when you were younger?
Speaker 5 (19:27):
Oh? Man, it was, it was great. I mean, just
the youth leadership and also the adult leadership, the two
of them working in tandem and just kind of seeing things.
It's like this really really young scout in like what
first grade, second grade, and just seeing how these guys
have progressed, you know, it was really inspiration to see
how they've given back to youth and also having my
own peers and how they lead the entire troops together
street something to behold.
Speaker 4 (19:48):
Okay, have you had any goals? Have you ever had
a mindset for, like a goal that you had when
you were a young scout.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
Honestly, my goals have shifted, like so many times throughout
the years. I I'll try to give you a few
of them. I can remember rough the side my head.
The first was to try to be like the guy
that was in charge, you know, the guy that the
adults always went to, the guy that you know, they
would always sit at the big grown up table, if
that makes sense, you know. So you see all these
adults and all the older kids send at the grown table,
and then there's this young scout sitting at the little
(20:17):
kids table. I'm was like, man, what would that be
like to really be in charge?
Speaker 4 (20:20):
To college shots?
Speaker 5 (20:21):
And really hear what goes on from up top, you know.
So that was one of the goals I had. Another
goal was to be like them, to try and be
in a way of reliable figure that other people that
could look up to. Really, even as I got older,
you know, having scouts are younger than me and people.
Speaker 4 (20:35):
That were now in my upper upper level.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
With the boy scouts being older than on that just
being able to be that person they rely on.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
Okay, that's really cool because you know that people really
want scouting to be noticed more. Some people out in
you know a lot of different communities don't really know
what scouting is, but a lot of them do and
they're trying to bring it back. So having that kind
of mindset will really have that improvement. And speaking of improvement,
how did scouting as a young scout help you improve
(21:07):
to where you are as an Eagle Scout today?
Speaker 5 (21:10):
It changed my mindset. It changes how I carry myself,
change how other people may perceive me. You know, I
know that the whole first Eagle Scout thing, it was
just it's a title that I hear so many times,
but I will rarely ever say it out of my mouth,
you know, unless someone we were just talking about scouting
for example, There's just so many times people will say
it for me. I'm just like, yeah, yeah, I did that,
but no, for really it after that with e Noto
(21:32):
being such a big church, and then you know, Christianity
being as scrutinized as it is it should be sometimes
because we other people that are crazy and chaotic, you know,
but they currently be of the Christian faith. I try
to carry myself that in a way that makes both
look in a positive light and not just look but
also lives the light and talks the walks of walk
that we do proclaim, you know, try to be that
(21:54):
leader and not just the boy Scout beings, but also
you know in the arcdenttural office, in my studios back
in school before I graduated, and even just simple interactions
with people, you know, just like how I treat people,
trying to live a Scout law and also live how
I was taught.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
Okay, that's really good. How does scouting impact your life
and teach you lessons as you were growing?
Speaker 5 (22:16):
It's number of things, whether it be for just overall
survival or literally just being that one guy in the
room that just knows first day and you know, just
you see this surprise look on people's faces, like, wait,
how do you know that? Mike, Yeah, I did a
little bit with Boy Scouts. I was kind of taught that.
But overall, just some things that enon and Scouts will
teach you that maybe other Boy Scout troops won't teach you, you know,
(22:37):
such as how to be a young black man in
h not just Philly, but also America. You know, how
to carry yourself in a way that allows you to
be seen beyond just the stereotypes. You know, it's just
some kid that was, you know, growing up in North
Philly or uptown Philadelphia. They already have their own preconceived
notions and then you get surprised number when they hear
me talk. And number two, just the way you know,
(22:57):
we just interact with each other, you know, just it's
great to go beyond what's expected. And I think that's
one thing that has definitely helped me with e Noon Scouts,
who were the most important people that helped you in scouting.
You know, it's just it's funny, uh the Eagle Scouts cremony.
Always think back to this big court Vander that that
(23:19):
whole event that went on in the sanctuary. I looked
out when I still in that pulpit and I saw
a full sanctuary as it was Sunday morning service, and
I was like, oh my God, like, this is what
villas look like. So it's so hard to answer that
question because all the people you saw, I'm going to
guarantee at least ninety five percent of those.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
People in there had something to do with it, whether
it be someone.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Like Pastor Waller or Scout Master Bart, my own parents,
people that even sit around us in church. Even people
are even in the church seventeen nineteen a foon call
First Methodist of Germantown. You know, their troop. I remember
I had some different events with them as well. They
came out to support me, and they're not even part
of the troop. They're not even part of the church
(24:00):
that matter. You know, just people that I've encountered on,
whether it be a week to be basis, or just
every now and then or maybe just once a year
for example, some may people that help in that walk,
you know, just it's hard to narrow down a few.
But if I were to, then you Scout Mast the bar,
Pastor Waller, my parents, and just them media village.
Speaker 4 (24:18):
Okay, that's really cool. As an ego scout, what do
you hope to teach and inspire young scouts? The things
that you learn so they can reach their goals and scouts,
I want to teach them that it's possible, okay.
Speaker 5 (24:33):
Whatever they want to do, whatever they want to put
their minds to. Because you know, we've already heard the
stat fifty million times. You know, we have x amount
of Black Eagle Scouts within Philadelphia, x amount of Black
Eagle Scouts in America.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
It's such a.
Speaker 5 (24:43):
Rare statistic that we're slowly strying to climb that with
Emon Scouts and all that. But beyond the whole Eagle
Scout thing, I want to show them that it is possible.
You know, it is possible to go on and do
whatever you want to do. It doesn't have to be
something related to dribbling or throwing a ball. It doesn't
have to be something related to singing or wrapping, you know,
anything like that. Whatever you want to do, you can
(25:03):
do it as long as we your mind to it.
You know, put the education and put in the work,
put in the mental stream that is required to do
these things.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
Beyond just equal scout that's really cool. And how can
scouting scouting in general, because you mentioned that there's more
to Scouts than just coming together and coming around the table.
You mentioned that, but you also said that scouting can
also help them just achieve whatever they want to do.
How can those things change lives? Do you think that
(25:32):
it would have an impact on them, like with their
career goals or anything like, how can they use scouting
like material to use that in their career?
Speaker 5 (25:41):
Well, I think the first answer that immediately came to
mind when I was hearing your question was all the
merit badges we have, you know, their merior badges that
specialized in so many different industries, even my own industry, architecture.
If you're going to music, they got something for that.
In medicine they got something for that, law meant something. Fact,
it's so many different things that are included in the
Boy Scouts and their Meribads programs that if you really
do take an interest in something, you can dabble in
(26:02):
it real quick with having to spend thousands of dollars
on Actually when a college university, you can go into
a Meribass college for example, one hundred dollars or so
and then go into the course and maybe not even that,
you know, maybe you just have it for even less,
just accountil you run into and you can just go
in and take the course. I think another thing that
scouting has helped with real life professions was the leadership
aspect of it. You know, so many professons we have
now require that aspect of leadership, and I think that's
(26:25):
a great base for any young person to start off
with in terms of gaining that leadership taste, if you will,
you know, trying to give them a little introduction because
you've seen it. You know, even just summer camp for example,
you're just leading that group of boys. You know, it
really is a challenge, but that prepares you. It prepares
you for those business meeting. It prepares you for those
higher ups that are even older than you, for example,
(26:46):
but think they know everything. But then you go ahead
and tell them, wave a minute, you may not know everything.
So it's a great introduction to how you can lead
in a professional environment.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
One last thing, how did scouting improve you for your career?
Goes now?
Speaker 5 (27:01):
It definitely inspired the creative part of me, because you know,
even with leadership, you do require a bit of creativity,
and how you want to lead, how you want to organize.
Architecture is so much built on structure and organizing and creativity.
There's so many things expected of an architect, just like
how there's so many things expected from senior patrol leader.
You know, you're expected to have all these different hats.
(27:22):
You're supposed to wear and put them more and rip
them off at any given time. That whole multitasking aspect
of it. Some little kid over there not supposed to
doing something. I have to get everyone ready for this,
or you don't have to organize that. It reminds me
so much of the duties of an architect when a
project is already underway, and even back in school, when
I already have these different duties from different professors. One
professor wants me to do X Y, and z afessor
(27:43):
wants me z yx, and one pfessor wants me to
do one, two, three for five, you know, So it's
like it's trying to multitask, trying to juggle at the
same time. I think that has really helped me, and
that development helped me kind of navigate that crazy archestral world.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
That's all we have. I thank you for being here
so much. This is Dave von Bird, first Eagle Scout
of Troop one twenty six in Philadelphia, enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, PA.
Thank you for being here with us the problem. Thank
you for having me.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword Community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app yey Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard Morrow and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(28:31):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
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