WHYY News and Bridging Blocks host their second civic news conference to explore best practices for newsrooms to engage their communities in the practice of civic journalism. Prioritizing IRL initiatives that build connections for local communities has emerged as an audience strategy for WHYY and other local newsrooms. Learn about the impact of Bridging Blocks, a civic dialogue program made possible by the Sutherland Family and in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia. WHYY News staff will demonstrate civic debate and discuss how centering community members help fill news and information gaps. Panel discussions will feature journalists who practice civic news and provide insights into better practices.

Bridging Blocks is a civic engagement initiative between WHYY and The Free Library of Philadelphia that aims to bring together culturally and politically diverse households for conversation and understanding. Bridging Blocks is made possible by a generous grant from Fred and Barbara Sutherland.

Panelists:

 William J. Marrazzo, President and Chief Executive Officer, WHYY

  Sarah Glover, Vice President, News and Civic Dialogue, WHYY

 Kevin Donahue, Editor of Billy Penn, Senior Director of Specialty News Products at WHYY

 Cherri Gregg, Drive Host and News Anchor for WHYY-FM, co-host of Studio 2

 Fred and Barbara Sutherland, Philanthropists

 Monica Montgomery, Community Engagement Manager, Philadelphia 250 

 Timothy Shaffer, Stavros Niarchos Foundaton (SNF) Chair of Civil Discourse, University of Delaware, Joseph R. Biden School of Public Policy and Administration 

 Sabrina Vourvoulias, Senior Editor for Commentary, Ideas, & Community Engagement, The Philadelphia Inquirer

 Jim Friedlich, Executive Director and CEO, The Linfest Institute for Journalism 

 Jess King, Executive Director, The Steinman Institute 

 Emma Restrepo, Founder, 2PuntosPlatform  

 Rebecca Neuwirth, Chief Strategy Officer, Documented 

 Naeema Campbell, Program Officer, The Fund for New Jersey 

 Jessica Richards, Program Director, Democracy and Civic Initiatives, William Penn Foundation 

 Frances Sheehan, President, The Foundation for Delaware County 

 Veronica Britto, Chief of Adult Services and Programs, Free Library of Philadelphia 

 Jamie Brunson, Executive Director, First Person Arts 

 Letrell Crittenden, Director, Center for Community-Engaged Media, Lew Klein College of Media and Communication, Temple University

DATES & TIMES
Day 1 - Friday, April 4 
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

LOCATION
WHYY
150 N. Sixth Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106