Loraine Ballard Morrill

Loraine Ballard Morrill

Listen to Loraine on Insight on Sundays 6-7am + keep up on her latest news updates here!Full Bio

What's Going On: Teach for America, Please Touch Museum's "Ready-Set-School" Program, Champions of Caring

Insight Pt. 2: "I Am Oronde," Please Touch Museum's Ready-Set-School Program, Breast Cancer and Black Women

Oronde McClain was nearly killed by gunfire at 10 and overcame incredible odds, not only surviving but thriving as a powerful advocate for survivors of gun violence. His journey has been chronicled in news stories and documentaries, and now, a feature film about his life is in the works. I speak with Zonsiluo Gompah, President and Producer of Esther Egg Inc.
Instagram: estheregginc#iamoronde https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4429866/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk  

 The Please Touch Museum is a haven for learning through play. I’ll share information The Ready-Set School program which provides free admission Community Days on the last Sundays of June, July, and August, in partnership with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation.  I speak with Patricia (Trish) D. Wellenbach, President and CEO, Please Touch Museum and Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, President, Independence Blue Cross Foundation about this program and the recent continuation of their partnership, with Independence Blue Cross becoming the Official Health & Wellness Partner of the Museum.   The next two free community days will be July 28 and  August 25, 2024. www.PleaseTouchMuseum.org  

First  I speak to Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" Fayanju, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery at Penn Medicine.  Dr, Fayanju discusses the factors that have resulted in higher mortality rates for Black Women and the critical importance of early detection and knowing family history.  
https://pennmedicine.org/BreastCancerCare

Insight Pt. 1: Google Partnership with Community College of Philadelphia

There’s an exciting partnership between Community College and Google that will give students access to certificate programs that offering skills training that could lead to life sustaining careers in tech. I speak to Rob Magliaro who  is the Ecosystem Partnerships Lead at Grow with Google. More information, including how to register for courses, is available here.
Google Career Certificates 
AI Essentials Google Employer Consortium  

Insight Spotlight: Philadelphia 250 - Reaching the Community

Celebrating America's 250th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation's journey, honor its democratic principles, and acknowledge the diverse contributions of its people. This milestone allows Americans to unite in commemorating their shared history, learning from past challenges and triumphs, and envisioning a future rooted in equality, freedom, and justice. PHILADELPHIA250 is launching the Community Advisory Committee to bring to life our “By the People, For All People” motto. Joining us are Danielle DiLeo Kim, President and CEO of Philadelphia 250, and Shalimar Thomas, Executive Director of North Broad Renaissance.

Insight Spotlight: Girls Scouts of Eastern PA "Calling All Girl Bosses"

Calling All Girl Bosses was developed by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) as a blueprint to give Philadelphia girls in grades 6-12 the skills they need to identify a community problem and take action to find a solution. Girls will discover their agency to make real, sustainable changes in their neighborhoods while working towards the highest awards in Girl Scouting. We speak with Kim Fraites Dow, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, and Ava Williams, a Girl Scout Advisory Committee member and “Girl Boss.”
  • Website: gsep.org/cagb

Insight Spotlight: Committee of Seventy - Tools for Conversations that Bridge Differences

We are living in politically divisive times, and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last weekend shocked the nation. The spread of misinformation and the rise of echo chambers amplify misunderstandings and deepen divides. This environment can lead to heightened stress and anxiety as individuals navigate conflicting ideologies in their communities, workplaces, and even within their families. The challenge lies in fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and constructive dialogue to bridge these divides and work towards a more cohesive society. The Committee of Seventy recognizes that this moment feels confusing and scary and offers excellent resources to help people work out their differences without violence. I spoke with Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of The Committee of Seventy.

What's Going On: Insight Pt. 2: Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia 250, Girl Scouts "Calling All Girl Bosses"

We are living in politically divisive times, and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last weekend shocked the nation. The spread of misinformation and the rise of echo chambers amplify misunderstandings and deepen divides. This environment can lead to heightened stress and anxiety as individuals navigate conflicting ideologies in their communities, workplaces, and even within their families. The challenge lies in fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and constructive dialogue to bridge these divides and work towards a more cohesive society. The Committee of Seventy recognizes that this moment feels confusing and scary and offers excellent resources to help people work out their differences without violence. I spoke with Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of The Committee of Seventy.
  • Website: www.seventy.org
  • Twitter: @committeeof70
  • Facebook: Committee of Seventy
  • Instagram: @committeeof70
  • LinkedIn: Committee of Seventy
  • Threads: @committeeof70
Celebrating America's 250th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation's journey, honor its democratic principles, and acknowledge the diverse contributions of its people. This milestone allows Americans to unite in commemorating their shared history, learning from past challenges and triumphs, and envisioning a future rooted in equality, freedom, and justice. PHILADELPHIA250 is launching the Community Advisory Committee to bring to life our “By the People, For All People” motto. Joining us are Danielle DiLeo Kim, President and CEO of Philadelphia 250, and Shalimar Thomas, Executive Director of North Broad Renaissance.
Calling All Girl Bosses was developed by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) as a blueprint to give Philadelphia girls in grades 6-12 the skills they need to identify a community problem and take action to find a solution. Girls will discover their agency to make real, sustainable changes in their neighborhoods while working towards the highest awards in Girl Scouting. We speak with Kim Fraites Dow, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, and Ava Williams, a Girl Scout Advisory Committee member and Girl Boss.
  • Website: gsep.org/cagb
 

Insight Pt. 2: Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia 250, Girl Scouts "Calling All Girl Bosses"

We are living in politically divisive times, and the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump last weekend shocked the nation. The spread of misinformation and the rise of echo chambers amplify misunderstandings and deepen divides. This environment can lead to heightened stress and anxiety as individuals navigate conflicting ideologies in their communities, workplaces, and even within their families. The challenge lies in fostering empathy, open-mindedness, and constructive dialogue to bridge these divides and work towards a more cohesive society. The Committee of Seventy recognizes that this moment feels confusing and scary and offers excellent resources to help people work out their differences without violence. I spoke with Lauren Cristella, President and CEO of The Committee of Seventy.
  • Website: www.seventy.org
  • Twitter: @committeeof70
  • Facebook: Committee of Seventy
  • Instagram: @committeeof70
  • LinkedIn: Committee of Seventy
  • Threads: @committeeof70
Celebrating America's 250th anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the nation's journey, honor its democratic principles, and acknowledge the diverse contributions of its people. This milestone allows Americans to unite in commemorating their shared history, learning from past challenges and triumphs, and envisioning a future rooted in equality, freedom, and justice. PHILADELPHIA250 is launching the Community Advisory Committee to bring to life our “By the People, For All People” motto. Joining us are Danielle DiLeo Kim, President and CEO of Philadelphia 250, and Shalimar Thomas, Executive Director of North Broad Renaissance.Calling All Girl Bosses was developed by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) as a blueprint to give Philadelphia girls in grades 6-12 the skills they need to identify a community problem and take action to find a solution. Girls will discover their agency to make real, sustainable changes in their neighborhoods while working towards the highest awards in Girl Scouting. We speak with Kim Fraites Dow, President and CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, and Ava Williams, a Girl Scout Advisory Committee member and Girl Boss.
  • Website: gsep.org/cagb
 

Insight Pt. 1: Young People’s Continental Congress (YPCC)

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the start of the Second Continental Congress in 1775, the Carpenters’ Company, a nonprofit organization founded in 1724 that owns and operates Carpenters’ Hall, is partnering with National History Day, Generation Citizen, and a network of history and civic organizations to present the Young People’s Continental Congress (YPCC). The Congress features 13 delegate teams representing each of the original colonies, plus one hometown team from Philadelphia. It convened in Philadelphia from July 17 to 19. I spoke with members of the New Jersey Teacher-Student Delegate Team – teacher Tracey Prince and student Rouslene Folas from East Orange STEM Academy High School in East Orange, NJ – about how this program brings America’s history to life.  

Carpenters’ Hall has a year-long program to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the Carpenters’ Company and the 250th anniversary of Carpenters’ Hall in 2024. For more information on the anniversary events, visit carpentershall.org.

Insight Spotlight on Independence Blue Cross' " Celebrate Caring" Campaign Honoring Extraordinary Nurses

The very best nurses go above and beyond for their patients and so Its with great pleasure I interview three who are receiving recognition for their excellence through Independence Blue Cross’ Celebrate Caring – their  annual campaign to recognize outstanding nurses in the Greater Philadelphia region.  I speak to Allison Denman, MS, BSN, RN, SANE-A – Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center, Jasmine Hudson, MSN, CRNP, AGACNP-BC – Penn Medicine, Francis Doran, BSN, RN – Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania/Penn Medicine as well as Koleen Cavanaugh, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Independence Blue Cross.