REASONS TO BE PROUD
When I think of what I’m most proud of this year, there are so many things that come to mind that make this almost too difficult a task. To deepen your connection, consider how you can participate or support our efforts in the coming year.
Every year with GIH has been meaningful, but this one’s growth in community coverage and our shared achievements should make you feel proud of our collective progress.
In my best effort to stay brief, these are some of the things I can say I’m most proud of this year.
ANOU VONGBANDITH/IMMIGRATION COVERAGE
There are some things that folks, no matter the field, can look back in their lifetime and say, “That helped me grow.” And, for me, this year’s coverage of local chef Anou Vongbandith and other local immigration advocacy efforts is that. These stories not only informed but also empowered our community, demonstrating the vital role of community-centered journalism in fostering understanding and building community power, and the role community-centered newsrooms play in strengthening that.
MORE CONTRIBUTIONS AND COLLABORATORS
Whether it was our most consistent contributor, Deesarine Ballayan, turning around updates on La Salle University’s buildings, or Germantown neighbor Steven Nelson sharing an open letter on gun violence and community building, I felt that our coverage and storytelling had never been as diverse as it has been this year. Additionally, media partnerships with local entities like Germantown Art & Sound and collaborations with Equally Informed Philly on more citywide-facing services and topics helped further broaden our content, but also keep things more consistent. To all of our collaborators and contributors, thank you.
SOCIAL MEDIA OPTIMIZATION
When GIH talks about engagement, we are mentioning the ways we connect with the community and the ways the community can connect with us. In an ever-changing news landscape, it’s no longer a shocker that people are getting most of their information from the social media channels they use. Because of this, GIH seeks to meet our neighbors where we know they are getting it the most. Over the year, we’ve put a lot of love into our Instagram content, which we’ve found to be our newsroom’s bread & butter in connecting with digital audiences. Through social-first reporting, ensuring every story has a carousel summarizing it, and having Q&As on neighborhood topics, we gained 771,169 views, 37,691 engagements, and 1,454 new followers (none of the three being inorganic), underscoring that news isn’t dead — it’s just evolving like all things.
TOP THREE STORIES
The new ‘Compositions of Black Joy’ book [launched]; examines Germantown as a crucial ‘What If’ in Black liberation | Rasheed Z. Ajamu
While it’s one of the early stories of 2025, it still holds up strong in subject matter when we observe the current social and political climate around us. In a time when it’s easy to be in a constant state of grievance, Black joy continues to be a resistance on its own. Tieshka K. Smith’s centering of the 1688 Written Protest Against Slavery in Germantown as a “what if” moment that could potentially domino effect on efforts following it, leading me to even think about what and how freedom would look without it. “Compositions of Black Joy” is a medium I would implore many folks to explore when and if they can.
Are we safer? Sustaining gun violence reductions in Northwest Philly and across the city | Maleka Fruean
Numbers matter, but so do perspectives. Statistics don’t invalidate experiences, and this is one of those stories that helps illustrate that. While it’s easy to appreciate hearing there is less gun violence, it’s essential to learn what people are feeling and the questions they’re forming when hearing the same information. Maleka’s reporting underscores that people don’t always accept information as they receive it at face value. Community members are critical thinkers who are always inquiring about the world around them.
Germantown Neighbors: Meet Bernice Rosalind Eugenie Sebastian, the oldest living Philadelphia resident | Pryce Jamison
If GIH had an essentials album or soundtrack, this story would undoubtedly be included. When I think about the stories that I want GIH to be known for, it’s stories like these — warm, informative, and people-focused. If Miss Bern being the city’s oldest resident isn’t enough to pique someone’s interest, reading more about her background and contributions to Saint Kitts was the cherry on top. Stories like these underscore that you never truly know who you’re around and what those folks mean to other people. This, to me, is model community-centered reporting. Stories that would otherwise remain hidden if community members don’t have a connection to the newsrooms that cover them.
TOP THREE ENGAGEMENTS
JUNE 20 | THE GOOD SAMARITAN CLUBHOUSE
This was a phenomenal close to an exceptional run of the iconic pop-up that stayed with us for a quarter of the year. Nothing but good vibes, red solo cups, and dynamic spins from local DJs that night. I can only describe it as what I imagine is the kind of magic vampires craved for in Sinners.
AUG 9 | RALLY TO ‘BRING ANOU HOME’
Seeing the strip of Chelten Ave. filled with over 300 people from all over the city in support of Das Good Café’s co-owner, Anou Vongbandith, was an almost unreal experience. On one hand, you aren’t thrilled to be there for the reasons you are. But on the other hand, you get to see that when it matters, neighbors show up for neighbors. And that counted for something. This is undoubtedly a day/moment that I’ll carry forever.
DEC 5 | GERMANTOWN QUIZZO
Ain’t no party like a GIH party, and you know Quizzo is always the biggest of them all. I always love being amongst neighbors and being able to celebrate this shared gem we call Germantown. Alongside food and tunes, one night only answering questions at Our House is an unbeatable experience! I’m already looking forward to our fourth in 2026.
TOP THREE OBSERVATIONS
HISTORY & ARCHIVES
Germantown is the perfect place for history and archives to thrive, and there was absolutely no shortage this year. Whether in the aisles of our local library with archival exhibitions on display or more efforts to preserve historic buildings in the neighborhood, it’s clear that Germantown was all about making history this year. And during a time when history is actively privatized or just straight up disregarded, people making their own histories hyperlocally is so essential to counter dominant mainstream narratives that could arise years from now. I also believe that as we enter 2026, for the 250th anniversary of the city and country, it’ll be interesting to see what folks do locally to contribute to the conversation.
A PLACE FOR FESTIVALS
While we certainly couldn’t cover them all, festivals seem to be a growing trend in the neighborhood, with some emerging over the past few years. Flannels, food trucks, and fashion were just some examples of these big gatherings that have begun uniting people around more niche interests. And while some of these are in their first or second year, their successes suggest we can anticipate more get-togethers in 2026.
MORE CHAT CLUBS, PLEASE?
Supper and Discussion clubs are becoming pretty popular things to read about, and sometimes often hear about unimaginable waitlists to join. Last year, we covered Peace Ike’s “Dinner & Discussion,” which, to me, stands out as exactly more of what folks could do in the neighborhood to connect more around issues affecting them and topics that they wouldn’t often find themselves talking to someone else about. I think our neighborhood is outstanding at its organizing, but I often wonder what no/low expectation conversations look like. This feels like a great medium.