With a new slate of policymakers, including a recently inaugurated mayor and City Council president, Philadelphia is in a unique position to apply fresh ideas and new approaches to address many of the entrenched issues facing the city. On Wednesday, April 17, The Pew Charitable Trusts and WHYY hosted a live webcast featuring expert insights on the current state of Philadelphia. The event included panel discussions on immigration, housing, and job access—and the policies and approaches that can help the city seize new opportunities and tackle persistent challenges.
The live webcast marked the release of Pew’s 2024 “State of the City” report, which includes comprehensive data on public safety, jobs, the economy, housing, public health, and more—and benchmarks Philadelphia with other major cities.
Three Pew Center for Arts & Heritage fellows—Yolanda Wisher (2015), Denice Frohman (2022), and Ryan Eckes (2016)—performed at the event. Susan K. Urahn, Pew’s president and chief executive officer, and William J. Marrazzo, WHYY’s president and chief executive officer, provided opening remarks. And Sarah Glover, WHYY’s vice president for news and civic dialogue, led a closing discussion with Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew’s senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement.
Welcome and opening remarks
Susan K. Urahn, president and CEO, The Pew Charitable Trusts
William J. Marrazzo, president and CEO, WHYY
Panel discussions
Immigration
Moderator:
• Maiken Scott, host and creative director of “The Pulse,” WHYY
Panelists:
• Kersy Azocar, president and CEO, Greenline Access Capital
• Anuj Gupta, president and CEO, The Welcoming Center
Housing
Moderator:
Amanda Fitzpatrick Abdur-Razzaaq, reporter, WHYY
Panelists:
Jim Burnett, co-founder, Black Squirrel Collective
Maria N. Gonzalez, president, HACE
Brian A. Hudson Sr., former executive director and CEO, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Access to jobs
Moderator:
Carmen Munir Russell-Sluchansky, multiplatform reporter, WHYY
Panelists:
Carlos Aponte, founder and executive director, We Love Philly
Theresa Y. Singleton, senior vice president and community affairs officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Closing discussion
Donna Frisby-Greenwood, senior vice president, Philadelphia and scientific advancement, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Sarah Glover, vice president, news and civic dialogue, WHYY