Diversity : Featured Stories

First, help policy makers understand the role of the artist in urban vitality.

It's a United Nations of culinary delicacies in Castor Gardens. Whether you're looking for Brazilian, Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Indian or Jamaican, this often overlooked neighborhood has you covered.

An innovative new program gives artists studio space and financial support in exchange for tackling projects in the West Philadelphia community. And in a true twist, it's the neighborhood that decides the exact nature of those tasks. 

When Indego launches, it aims to be one of the most inclusive, progressive and well thought-out bike share programs in the world. 

The Community Connectors program employs a diverse stable of advocates -- from high school students to crossing guards to stay-at-home moms -- to unify and energize neighborhoods across Philadelphia. 

From landscaping to neighborhood entrepreneurship to cutting-edge training, the Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN) announces four big grants to projects that should help Philadelphians create and fill good jobs.

From innovative cooking classes to job training to community gathering spaces, the Free Library and its many branches are evolving to meet 21st Century needs. Now, thanks to a huge influx of funds, that process is more ambitious than ever.

From September 24 through 26, a group of innovators working on small scale, place-based projects around the country convened in Detroit to talk about what works in their cities.

Small businesses and startups in the City of Brotherly Love now have a powerful new tool: Kiva Zip provides crowdfunded, zero-interest loans to entrepreneurs that engage with their communities. Become a lender on October 15 and double your impact.

Last week, the latest class of startups entered DreamIt Ventures' tech accelerator. These fledgling entrepreneurs could be building the next billion-dollar company or learning to fail fast -- the next 90 days will say a lot.

Cities are reinventing themselves in exciting new ways. Can small-scale projects have big impact? Join the Urban Innovation Exchange this September 24-26 in Detroit to explore creative projects driving neighborhood transformation.

For four years, The Food Trust's Night Markets have invigorated commercial corridors across the city, drawing hordes for strolling, snacking and engagement with the arts, while also providing an economic boost. On August 14, the phenomenon rolls into Mantua.

Check out our picks for the week's top events.

Artists are often the first to move into urban neighborhoods, and the first to move out when rents rise. Yet in the post-recession landscape, many communities -- including Philly -- are working with artists to engage residents and transform blight.

Flying Kite takes a look at three of this year's Knight Foundation grantees: Sean Stoops looks to liven up local subway tunnels; Mighty Writers cultivates critical thinking; and The African American Museum in Philadelphia takes a hard look at an agricultural legacy.