Rasheed Z. Ajamu

Sitting in the back of this Uber crying my eyes out. And it’s all thanks to these four. 10 years ago I was adopted into the best family on earth. Forever my girls. Happy Mothers Day to the women who saved my life. They kept my heart softened in times I wanted it to harden. There’s not a single thing I could do to repay them for the love they’ve poured into me. Putting Rhonda, Betty, and Erica on my Mt. Rushmore, right next to Beryl. ❤️ Before anyone, I’m theirs. Thanks for everything.

“There’s nothing to do in Germantown.” WHO SAID THAT? 👀 Just say you’re not outside! And if you think this list is full, there’s ALWAYS more to come — especially this spring & summer. Engagement season is heating up and we’re officially defrosted. Don’t be a fool. Germantown’s waitin’ for you. Us too. ❤️ Check out our website for upcoming events (link in bio). 🎥: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter #germantowninfohub #germantowngems #localnews #gtown #philly

Indego bikes are on the way to Germantown. 🚲 Early plans call for nine bike-share stations across the neighborhood, with an initial footprint focused mostly on Germantown’s west side, from Wayne Junction to Tulpehocken Avenue. The proposal is part of Indego’s broader 2026 expansion, which the city said back in 2023 includes a push into Black and historically underserved communities. The proposed locations are not final. Indego says site surveys, permitting, and community feedback will help shape the final map. Tap through then read more at (link in bio) 🔗 📝: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter

“All power to the people, and no power to these kings!” said Germantown poet LindoYes (@lindoyes ) this past Saturday afternoon. From Maplewood Mall to movements across the country, Germantown neighbors gathered for a “No Kings” rally to call out abuse of power, rising fascism, and the everyday struggle to afford basics like rent, food, gas, and utilities. Folks shared why they showed up: to protect democracy, honor veterans, fight attacks on science and immigrants, and build real local power through organizing, voting, and getting off the sidelines. “You can’t build power in a night… you’ve got to keep organizing, keep being passionate about the work, [and] keep showing up,” said rally organizer and Germantowner Michael Cogbill (@mikecogbill ), also PA Senate District Four seat candidate. Look out for the full story tomorrow morning ⏩ . 🎥: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter

Germantown Art & Sound (@gtownartsound ) returns this Friday, March 27, from 7–10 p.m. at Our House Culture Center (@iloveourhouse ). Ahead of the showcase, GIH spoke with two of sox featured artists Amon Amir (@kurupted_king ) and Kam DeLa (@kam_dela ) about how their work pushes back on narrow portrayals of Blackness by centering Black faces as complex, yet imaginative, high-value art. From vibrant portraits of everyday people to sci-fi- and anime-inspired creations, both artists say representation matters because Blackness is not one thing. And Black kids, especially, deserve to see themselves everywhere. There’s a suggested donation is $10, but no one is turned away. Read more at the link in bio (, too). 🧑🏾‍💻: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter

Condoms became conversation starters and couture at The Braid Mill (@thebraidmill ) this past Saturday, Feb. 21. Prevention Meets Fashion's (@preventionmeetsfashion ) annual Condom Fashion Show brought youth designers (ages seven to 26) and community groups together to connect sexual health to policy and lived experience. Show organizer and PMF Founder Nhakia Outland says the show proves advocacy can look many different ways. She pinpoints fashion as a crux of experiences within intimate partner violence, racial profiling, access to medical care, gun violence, and more. “We can go back and show you how fashion, clothing, and hair have shown up in every last aspect of those things and how we need to stop ignoring it,” Outland told GIH. Swipe to see more scenes from the event and visit (link in bio) to read the full story. ✍🏾 + 📸: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter

Happy Valentine’s Day, neighbors! 💚 Here at GIH, we LOVE love! And we hope you give and receive it today (and every other). Send one of these to your favorite Germantown neighbor or repost to send a message to all of them!

Here in Germantown, Black experiences aren’t just a project or special celebration — they’re everyday. 28 days isn’t enough, so we go 365 (sometimes 366) in our newsroom. Happy 100th Black History Month, friends. Here’s to 100 more (and then more after that). Thanks for trusting us with your stories. With honor, —Rasheed, Maleka, and Pryce 🫶🏽 (Ran out of tag space, so if you see yourself or someone you know, @‘em!)

A new “Free Wall” is up at Chelten & Knox. 🎨 Street artist NOMAD says it’s about making room for creativity and “freedom of expression” — in the neighborhood and beyond. It’s also a practical move, as Liberty Tax manager Dante Hines says he’s paid repeatedly to cover vandalism, and the Free Wall offers a legal option for artists to paint and contribute. Read the full story ➡️ ✍🏽: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter

“Always inside,” according to y’all, and still ahead. Choir directors don’t need preaching to. 💡 In 2026, stop asking me about my future when 1) you can’t do shit for it 2) you're not in it. Already living it, thangya!

The year comes to an end today, and so comes our final reflective look-back at 2025. Last up: Rasheed, editor and community engagement reporter. 📝 Their favorite things this year surrounded history in the neighborhood, including the ways folks used Archives, engaged in historic preservation, and pop-ups in the name of local ancestors. See more things Rasheed saw this year and is proud of producing via their Editor’s Note. Only at ➡️ What are some of your favorite things from this year? 👀 Let us know below!

This year marked the sixth for this annual giveback tradition, hosted by owners of Tipsy Cafe & Catering (@tipsycafeandcatering ) and Das Good Cafe (@dasgoodcafephilly ), Anh & Anou Vongbandith. Their Friendsgiving, typically held at their Germantown Ave. location, has usually allowed anyone who wanted to come by and get a takeout meal. But this year looked a bit different, enlisting the support of FUMCOG (@fumcogphilly ) to allow for both takeout and sit-in service. The couple, with volunteer support from various networks and groups like Reclaim Philadelphia (@reclaimphiladelphia ), Power from the Block, and Northwest Regional Refugee and Immigration Network, had enough food prepared to serve 1,000 people. The giveback comes only a month after the family’s reunion in late October after Anou was detained by ICE in late July. “This is our give back and thank you to our patrons and our community, and all those who’ve supported us during this challenging year.” When asked what they are most grateful for this year, they told the Germantown Info Hub its community. Be on the lookout for the full story on next week for more on the day and what others said. 🎥: Rasheed Z. Ajamu (@dagtowngem ), engagement reporter