Spice shop in Nashville, TN, USA. Photo by Randy Giancaterino
As fall fades, the leaves shedding from the trees remind us of the colors of spice with its rich sunset hues of red, amber, orange, gold, and brown. They are the many tints and tones of autumn. Like fall’s foliage, this week’s cornucopia of events comes in many shapes and shades. From developing the Langston Hughes in kids to networking in the Diaspora, these low-cost or free events are chock-full of spice and everything nice.
Jenné Johns
Pioneering Healthcare Solutions For Neonatal Equity
Sunday, November 16 & Monday, November 17, 2025. In observance of November’s Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Day (November 17), check out the 4th Annual Black Maternal Health and Neonatal Equity Conference: Moving Forward. The two-day event sprang from the personal healthcare fight of Jenné Johns, whose son was born premature, weighing just two pounds. Black mothers incur the highest rates of prematurity and infant mortality in the United States, notes Johns, who wrote a book for parents of premature babies. She later founded Once Upon A Preemie, Inc. a nonprofit that tackles racial equity in maternal and neonatal healthcare. She is a national leader and advocate for health equity. She has created campaigns to donate books to families in the US; developed racial equity training for healthcare professionals, and championed legislation and hospital policy changes that center Black birthing and preemie families. On November 16th, network at the Party for Preemies Fundraiser featuring food and live entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the Once Upon A Preemie’s Initiatives supporting family healthcare workforce development. The following day will be packed with engaging sessions by national leaders, healthcare professionals, and parent advocates addressing the issue of Black maternal and neonatal care equity. Participate in discussions about solutions, innovation, advocacy, and system accountability. Featured speakers will include: Dr. Ala Stanford, Founder, Black Doctors Consortium; Dr. Jessica Daigle, Founder & CEO of Mom & Me MD, NICU Hospitalist, and Joel Austin, President & CEO of Daddy University Inc. Racquel Williams, of KYW Newsradio, will be the event’s emcee. November 16th Party for Preemies Fundraiser: Free but pre-register from 2 p.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. November 17th conference sessions: 8 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. The Study at University City, 20 S. 33rd St. Email: info@onceuponapreemie.org, www.onceuponapreemie.org
Percussionist Dendê goes full circle.
Dendê Keeps The Afrobeat
Sunday, November 16, 2025. The rhythms of Dendê dig deep into the fertile 17th-century roots of Africa and Portuguese, with samba de roda — a Brazilian cultural tradition from Bahia mixing music, dance, and poetry performed in a circle (a roda). Check out the dynamic multi-talented musician — percussionist, singer, composer, bandleader, and educator — in concert. Dendê splits his time between the U.S. and Bahia, working with his own ensembles. He explores the international influences and nuances of rumba, afrobeat, and mbalax. In the last 20 years, Dendê & Band have performed worldwide. $20 to $25 per ticket. 7:30 p.m. EST, City Winery Philadelphia, 990 Filbert St. 267-479-7373 or https://citywinery.com/philadelphia/events/dende-and-band-99uqgy
Rededicated To Social Justice
Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Go and see the SDG #16 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions Mural Reinstallation Unveiling — Russell Craig’s portrait mural featuring the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The painting was originally dedicated on Juneteenth and part of an ongoing public-art series. Craig, formerly incarcerated, turned his life around as an artist. The mural rededication will feature speakers Donna Bullock, President and CEO, Project HOME; Sheila Ireland, President and CEO, OIC Philadelphia; Valerie Gay, the City of Philadelphia’s Chief Cultural Officer; Katayun Jaffari, Chancellor of the Bar Association, Bar Association; Zabeth Teelucksingh, President, Global Philadelphia Association; Lowell Thomas, Sponsor, The Coleman Foundation, and City Councilmember Jeffery Young, Jr. The original SDG #16 mural was at Project HOME Women of Change in Center City Philadelphia, dedicated in 2022. Free but pre-register; 3 p.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST. Project Home’s Hope Haven I & II, 2825-29 W. Diamond St. https://globalphiladelphia.org/sustainable-development-goal-16-peace-justice-and-strong-institutions
Business Leaders Connect Across The Diaspora
Monday, November 17 & Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The second phase of the Akwaba African Diaspora: Economic Mission initiative brings a delegation of entrepreneurs and business leaders from West Africa to Philadelphia. The goal is to strengthen African and American relations to create business opportunities. The event will help to facilitate partnerships for investment and long-term economic development. The gathering is a follow-up to a sister event hosted by Moussa KONE, a 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow and Founder of Update Consulting International, this past spring. Inquire about venues and ticket prices; 9 a.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST. https://akwabafestival.com/usa-edition-2025/
Dr. Sheena Howard
Developing The Flair For Writing
Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Parents: Do you have an aspiring writer in your family? Join award-winning author Dr. Sheena Howard who may be able to help nurture that talent. Dr. Howard schools parents and kids on how to get children published on Amazon for pay. Join her for a creative session. Crayons and paper will be provided for a fun kids’ activity. Free but pre-register; 2:30 p.m. EST. Paschalville Library, 6942 Woodland Ave, Southwest Philadelphia. 215-685-2662 or https://libwww.freelibrary.org/programs/authorevents/?id=158715
A Peek At Reentering Society After Prison
Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Eastern State Penitentiary offers a free, interactive Reentry Simulation program designed to educate Philadelphia school groups. The session gives students a real-life look at challenges facing individuals returning from prison. Participants are given a fictitious identity and asked to complete a simulated exercise of searching for a job, and housing, while managing bills. The exercise will lead to a discussion about the prison-to-society reentry experience. Free but pre-registration required; 11 a.m. EST to 12:30 p.m. EST. Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave. Email: grouptours@easternstate.org, 215-236-3300 or https://easternstate.org/events/series/2025-wednesday-nights/2025-wednesday-nights-reentry-simulation.
Photo courtesy of Mighty Writers
Donate, Volunteer To Help With Food Insecurity
The federal government this week is voting on legislation to reopen the U.S. government, helping to restore federal food benefits called SNAP, which were cut off during a lengthy government shutdown. But the need for food assistance is still pressing. Nationwide, more than 40 million people count on the federal food-assistance program. Outreach like the youth-literacy nonprofit Mighty Writers’ food-distribution project operates at 10 locations in Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey, serving thousands of families weekly. As Mighty Writers, which focuses on kids’ literacy and community engagement, is experiencing record numbers of Philadelphia-area families in need of food support, it’s asking for donations and volunteers to stock shelves, pick up food from local retailers, and deliver supplies to distribution sites. If interested: https://mightywriters.org/volunteer/ or https://donorbox.org/easy-donation-form.
Leaving A Legacy & Passion For Mentoring
Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Michael I. Days loved taking young journalists under his wing to show them how to ply their trade. But above all, he showed them kindness. When the former editor of the Philadelphia Daily News and vice president of the Philadelphia Inquirer died last month, he left a legacy forged with passion and purpose. From lead to 30, Days was a consummate professional who fought fiercely for diversity in the newsroom and a free press. Recognizing his contributions to the industry, the National Association of Black Journalists — Philadelphia has created a scholarship fund in his name. Even though there was only one Michael Day, now others in the field will have a chance to shine in the light of his legacy. To donate to the Michael I. Days Scholarship Fund: bit.ly/mikedaysscholarship. NABJ-Philadelphia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions will be tax-deductible.
