Shop Philly 1st

04/09/2026

MUST-SEE FILM is FREE at these locations, on these dates:

🎥🎞️Monday, April 20, 2026
4:45 P.M.One Book Film Screening: The Librarians | Walnut Street West Library | 201 S 40th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

🎥🎞️Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:00 P.M.One Book, One Philadelphia: Film Screening and
Discussion | Parkway Central Library | 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

🎥🎞️Monday, April 27, 2026
5:00 P.M.One Book Film Screening: The Librarians | Whitman Library | E Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148

Librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities.

In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQia+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts.

Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work – the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale.
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FREE SCREENING: THE LIBRARIANS
https://thelibrariansfilm.com/

11/12/2025

PRESENTING Temple Contemporary's PYRAMID CLUB: 1937-2035 Community Forum!
Pyramid Club Community Forum
By Temple Contemporary
2001 North 13th Street - Philadelphia
Nov. 12 from 5pm to 7pm EST
You're invited to an interactive forum bringing together those who knew and experienced the "original" Pyramid Club firsthand - descendants, artists, and community advocates who can share lived histories that breathe life into a powerful exhibition!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pyramid-club-community-forum-tickets-1749162635529?aff=oddtdtcreator

Interactive Activities: After the brief discussion (around 6:15pm), we'll have three breakout stations where attendees can engage more deeply and autonomously. We'd love for each of you to anchor one of these activities:
Oral History Circle - Discussing memories with descendants, art fans, residents, and community members
Bonus: We will be printing copies of Humbert Howard’s exhibition from 1944 and 1946 catalogues a collector generously allowed us to reproduce!
Flag Making Station - Iron-on stencils for cloth flags inspired by Shawn Theodore's work and John Mosley's photography
Visioning Sketches - "What If?" guides where visitors imagine designs for their vision of the Pyramid Club's future
The "original" Pyramid Club was formed in November 1937 by African-American professionals for the "cultural, civic and social advancement of Negroes in Philadelphia." By the 1950s, it was "Philadelphia's leading African-American social club.
🎙 Hear from key speakers connected to the Club
💬 Join small-group discussions led by community voices
👥 We welcome descendants, artists, and advocates to be part of this living history.

INFORMATIONAL LINKS:
-- INCOLLECT https://incollect.com/articles/the-pyramid-club-and-the-pennsylvania-academy-of-the-fine-arts
-- Next City https://nextcity.org/podcast/philadelphias-pyramid-club-reborn-through-art-and-afrofuturism
-- WIKIPEDIA - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_Club_(Philadelphia)

10/05/2025

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program is designed to provide entrepreneurs with free tools, training, and guidance to strengthen their online presence and digital skills.
By enrolling in Digital Ready, you gain access to expert-led courses, virtual events, and resources tailored to help your business thrive in the digital economy.

As part of this initiative, Verizon is awarding $10,000 grants to 50 small businesses.
To be eligible, enroll in Digital Ready for free, complete **two courses or events**, and submit your grant application by December 10, 2025.

Could your business be next?

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com/?utm_source=us-black-chambers&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=digital-ready_national-partner_national&fbclid=IwY2xjawNPiitleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWN1I1NFlIUWE1S1hQWWl2AR6vYCebqsOwrb7ouA-v17hvt2c0AZ3_7rJbu931dcU7O7C47uq0OQUnlkLerg_aem_BWjqQt5J66uzJ9rfAQdS8g

03/04/2025

This is for those businesses impacted by the plane crash in NE Philadelphia.
Due to the severity of this issue, if you have not been impacted, perhaps you know a business owner in the area who might have been?
Reach out and let them know.

"The application deadline has been extended for small businesses affected by the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. Apply for up to $20,000 in assistance through The Merchants Fund Emergency Grants Program, in partnership with the Department of Commerce."

The Philadelphia Department of Commerce offers small business assistance, even if you are not in a disaster area.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR YOU!
A reminder for any facing *disaster* issues, consider contacting the Philadelphia Department of Commerce to inquire if there are any resources you may be able to benefit from within their support channels.

Take a look at what they do on this link: https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-commerce/

The application deadline has been extended for small businesses affected by the plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia. Apply for up to $20,000 in assistance through The Merchants Fund Emergency Grants Program, in partnership with the Department of Commerce.

⏰ New Deadline: March 7, 2025

Apply now: https://bit.ly/4cIGlgt

Need help? Contact the Mayor's Business Action Team at [email protected] or call 215-683-2100.

12/25/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
For others who could benefit from a great APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM that offers:
--Free training
--Is focused on helping students (who need it) to earn certifications that can lead to employment
--Has an option for those who need it, to earn a GED (high school equivalency)
--Learn a skill leading to jobs in the GREEN INDUSTRY!

This could be a WIN for a young person who is not college-bound but is seeking a career!

APPLICATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN BEGINNING: JANUARY 6, 2025!!!

This next class begins in February 2025.
Questions? Email: [email protected]

LEARN MORE: Beyond Literacy - what is it? Who are they? https://beyondliteracy.org/about/

"Born as a volunteer tutoring program in 1968 in West Philadelphia, Center for Literacy (CFL) quickly expanded to other areas of Philadelphia in need of adult tutoring.

The demand for tutoring services soon exceeded the availability of volunteer tutors, and CFL began adding classroom instruction for adult education. Preparation classes for the GED® test soon followed, and in a few short years CFL was offering free neighborhood classes throughout Philadelphia.

In 2019, CFL’s headquarters and classes relocated to Peirce College with additional classes held at neighborhood locations across Philadelphia."

Repost from
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Join this FREE Weatherization Pre-Apprenticeship Program!

📋 Program Highlights:
✔️ 20-week in-person training
✔️ Earn certifications like OSHA-10, EPA RRP Lead, and more
✔️ GED prep included!
✔️ Program incentives 🎉

📅 Next Start Date: February 10, 2025
📆 Apply between January 6–31, 2025

📧 Questions? Email [email protected]

Don’t miss this chance to build your future! 💪
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11/26/2024

It's a good time to support small businesses!!!

10/02/2024

AI for this platform needs some work.
I posted about a scam that is now prevalent on this platform... and it was blocked because it was "dangerous".

NO. It was telling people NOT to answer the fake spammer that is telling small business owners that their page will be deleted and it includes links. There are warnings. This is the link I posted and I'll see in a minute if this gets pulled or if it stays.

Have you received alarming messages that your page is at risk of being deleted? These may be fraudulent messages trying to steal your login details.

09/18/2024

WHO needs a city job??? Interested in a training program to help you get one?

Get started this fall with CCP's Career Readiness and Soft Skills Training that begins on October 1, 2024.

NO COST TRAINING!

"These classes will prepare you for further training and entry-level employment with the City of Philadelphia in a variety of workforce pathways.

You will learn the essential skills needed for the workplace in three major content areas: Critical Thinking and Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration, while building a toolbox of skills that will be universally valuable as you prepare to transition into further training—and better prepare you for quality jobs within the City of Philadelphia.

Upon completion, you will work with the City College for Municipal Employment at Community College of Philadelphia staff to prepare for your workforce pathway training."

Home Info For Business & Community Workforce Development City College for Municipal Employment Interest Form City College for Municipal Employment Interest Form Workforce Development City College for Municipal Employment Interest Form In this Section City College for Municipal Employment Interest Fo...

08/05/2024

Monday, August 5, 2024

Philly businesses! Check out the Quality Jobs Program, a grant opportunity for eligible businesses creating new full-time employment opportunities that pay a living wage and include health insurance benefits for Philadelphia residents.

Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/406fYuX

07/02/2024