Learning to read at a young age can prove so critical to how well a child flourishes as they grow. We meet with Jan Michener, Founder and Executive Director of Arts Holding Hands & Hearts (AHHAH). Based in Kennett Square, AHHAH supports young people in under resourced communities across Chester County. The organizations runs a range of arts and literacy programs in communities, schools, and the youth detention center – all focused on enabling those young people to thrive, rather than merely service. With deep commitment to helping children read at grade level from an early age, Jan walks us through several of AHHAH’s program and initiatives.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH)

• Website: ahhah.org
• Instagram: instagram.com/artsholdinghandsandhearts
• Facebook: facebook.com/ArtsHoldingHandsAndHeartsInc
• Jan Michener on LinkedIn

Additional Links

• Chester County Futures
• Kennett Ability Network (KAN)
• Good Works
• Camp Dreamcatcher
• Kennett Library
• Justamere Foundation
• Chester County Intermediate Unit
• Chester County Youth Center
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
• The Alliance for Health Equity
• Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Center (CCOIC)

Other Interviews with Jan Michener

• Jan Michener on Great Dames
• Jan Michener on The Art of Volunteering Podcast

Related Episodes

• Repairing Homes and Building Relationships with Bob Beggs
• Nurturing Belonging and Celebrating Community with Children Impacted by HIV/AIDS with Patty Hillkirk
• Building Community and Capacity with Chris Manna

TRANSCRIPT

The full transcript for this episode will be published on our website as soon as it is available.

Industrial fabrication and construction underpins much of the infrastructure and manufacturing that keeps our economy moving. In this episode, we sit down with Scott Dolor, Vice President of Operations at M. Davis & Sons, to explore how the Kennett Square company designs, fabricates, installs, and maintains complex industrial systems. Scott walks us through the evolution of the family-owned business, its focus on investing on its people, and how the company attracts and develops the next generation of craftspeople. We also discuss the many facets of M. Davis’s business, fostering a strong workplace culture, and how the company is eager to engage with and supporting its local community.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

M. Davis & Sons

• Website: mdavisinc.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/m-davis-&-sons
• Facebook: facebook.com/MDavisSonsInc
• Scott Dolor on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-dolor-mba-62134a13

Additional Links

• The Garage Community & Youth Center
• SILO
• Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU)
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

Live music plays an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities. We sit down with Michael Hahn, Executive Director of the Kennett Flash, to explore how the nonprofit listening room has become a home for live music, comedy, and community events in Kennett Square. Michael walks us through the realities of operating a nonprofit arts organization, from booking performers and securing sponsorships to recruiting volunteers and building audiences. We also discuss plans for a future arts and culture hub in Kennett Square. Along the way, Michael shares insights from his own career as a musician, songwriter, and arts administrator.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

The Kennett Flash

• Website: kennettflash.org
• The Kennett Flash on Bandcamp: thekennettflash.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/thekennettflash
• Facebook: facebook.com/TheKennettFlash
• Volunteer: kennettflash.org/volunteer
• Michael Hahn’s YouTube channel

Additional Links

• The Hub for Arts and Culture
• KATS (Kennett Amateur Theatrical Society)
• If Not For Music
• Koh Show Live
• Rainbow Records
• Smalls Music Shop
• Live Music Society

Kennett Restaurants and Businesses

• La Verona
• Lily Asian Cuisine
• Michoacana Grill
• The Mushroom Cap
• Philter
• KSQ Barber Lounge

Recommended Musical Artists

• Strays and Misfits on Bandcamp
• Buffalo Nichols

Related Episodes

• Playing, Teaching, and Building a Career in Music with Dave Mattock
• Focusing on Customers Relationships with Mark Avery

When people suffer serious injury, abuse, or trauma – either through criminal acts or negligence – it can prove challenging to rebuild their lives. We sit down with Basil Joy, an attorney with Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney, to discuss his work representing victims of crime and personal injury. Basil explains how attorneys help clients pursue justice, accountability, and restitution. Basil reflects on his legal career and how that shapes his work advocating for and protecting the rights of victims. Chatting about a number of nonprofits, we also discuss the value of supporting local communities through board involvement.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Goldberg, Goldberg & Maloney

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Basil Joy on LinkedIn
• Basil's commencement speech (2013) on YouTube

Local Nonprofits

• Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County
• Gateway Horseworks
• Fox Chase Farm
• Safe Harbor of Chester County
• Chester County Fund for Women and Girls
• Chester County Bar Association

Additional Links

• Pink | Marked Foundation
• Unite for HER
• Fox Rothschild
• Unruh Turner Burke & Frees
• Suitsupply
• Concordville Cleaners
• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Related Episodes

• Advocating for Local Communities: Law and Volunteerism with Rob Jefferson
• Setting the Example and Leading from the Front with Greg Nardi
• Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence and Other Crimes with Christine Zaccarelli

Transcript

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

Access to high-speed internet is pivotal to enabling local communities access to the value that the internet can provide in the digital age. We sit down with Caitlin Ganley, Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Comcast, and Jennifer Bilotta, VP, Communications at Comcast, to explore how one of the region’s largest employers approaches connectivity, community partnerships, and customer experience across Chester County and beyond. Caitlin and Jenn walk us through the challenges of expanding broadband infrastructure into underserved areas, Comcast’s efforts to provide low-cost internet access to those in need, and the company’s role in supporting local nonprofits. We also discuss AI, innovation, and and some exciting offerings from Comcast.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Comcast

• Website: xfinity.com
• Xfinity Internet Essentials
• Project Up
• Job opportunities with Comcast: jobs.comcast.com

Caitlin Ganley and Jennifer Bilotta

• Caitlin Ganley on LinkedIn
• Jennifer Bilotta on LinkedIn

Local Nonprofits

• LCH Health & Community Services
• Women’s Resource Center (WCS)
• Chester County Food Bank
• United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
• Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
• Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center
• Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center

Additional Links

• Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority
• Digital Alliance of Chester County
• Opa Taverna
• Carlino’s

Related Episodes

• Addressing Health Needs of Underserved Communities with Ronan Gannon

Transcript

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

In classrooms across the country, students are learning to become the leaders of tomorrow. We chat with Stephanie Gambone, President and CEO, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania, to better understand how her organization supports local young people as they prepare to enter the workplace as adults. As JASEPA celebrates its 75th anniversary, we explore the programs the JASEPA delivers in Coatesville, Downingtown, and elsewhere across the Delaware Valley.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Junior Achievement of Southeastern Pennsylvania

• Website: southeasternpa.ja.org
• Careers with JA SEPA: southeasternpa.ja.org/about/career-opportunities
• Volunteer: southeasternpa.ja.org/volunteer
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/junior-achievement-southeastern-pa
• Facebook: facebook.com/JASoutheasternPA
• Instagram: instagram.com/ja_philly
• Stephanie Gambone on LinkedIn

Additional Links

• Forum of Executive Women
• Philadelphia 250
• The Fund for Women and Girls: Empowering Change in Chester County

Podcasts

• Crime Junkie Podcast

Books

• Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They Are Too Much by Cynthia Erivo
• The Next Level Nonprofit: Build a Dream Team + Increase Lasting Impact by Chris Lambert

Related Episodes

• Spearheading Advocacy, Programs, and Grants for Women and Girls with Cheryl Brubaker

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be posted on our website as soon as it is available.

Music carries an intangible, immeasurable value – shaping how we connect, express ourselves, and experience the world around us. In this episode, we sit down with Dave Mattock, owner of Mattock School of Music and a working jazz pianist, to explore what it really means to build a life in music. Dave shares his journey from college professor to opening his own school of music, reflecting on the challenges he faced learning to run and grow a business. We talk about the many paths available to aspiring musicians, the importance of mentorship and community, and how a vibrant local arts scene strengthens the region for everyone.

OUR PARTNER

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

LINKS

Dave Mattock

• Website: davemattock.com/music
• YouTube: youtube.com/@davemattockjazz
• Instagram: instagram.com/davemattockmusic/
• Facebook: facebook.com/share/17j9Jhduwu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Bandcamp: Music | Dave Mattock
• Knucklebox on Bandcamp
• Knucklebox on Spotify

Mattock School of Music

• Website: mattockschoolofmusic.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/MattockSchoolofMusic

Additional Links

• Kennett Jazz & Funk Fest
• If Not for Music
• Philadelphia Trusted Advisors
• Canine Partners for Life

Local Music Venues

• Kennett Flash
• Andréa’s Jazz Café
• Slow Hand
• Will’s + Bill’s Brewery
• The Nomad
• Spence Café
• The Creamery of Kennett Square
• Kennett Library

Artists to Explore

• Brad Mehldau
• Jason Lindner
• Mike LeDonne
• John Medeski
• Lionel Loueke
• Esperanza Spaulding
• Kokayi
• Miho Hazama
• Hiatus Kaiyote
• Alarm Will Sound

Related Episodes

• Training Service and Companion Dogs with Kirstin Downie

TRANSCRIPT

The full episode transcript will be publish on our website as soon as it is available.