>> i'm rick williams. >> and i'm melisa magee. >> tonight it's a special visions 2017. >> celebrating black history month! >> we look at a local collection of rare african american film memorabilia, >> visit several thriving black-owned businesses, meet a former nfl player giving back, >> and hear from two women helping the city's formerly incarcerated thrive. >> welcome to tonight's show. we're here at the african-american museum in philadelphia and they are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year! >> terrific! we're standing in their new photographic exhibit by artist shawn theodore called church of broken pieces. >> a dramatic collection of bold photos depicting various artistic scenes from contemporary black life. >> now this first segment will get you into the groove! the critically acclaimed

philly institute of hip hop entrepreneurship is all about inspiring local youth to become business owners! >> tayibb smith and meegan denenberg are taking a new approach when it comes to teaching young people business practices. >> we worked with a lot of young men and women who are looking to i think be founders, presidents, all these big labels and everything they want to do. and we realized that a lot of them had no idea on how to run a business. >> so the pair received a 300 thousand dollar grant from the knight foundation to teach a group of urban millennials in philly how to create their own companies and the institute of hip hop entrepreneurship was born. >> we have a lot of people who maybe came through the lens of wanting to be an artist or a performer, or have some kind of connection to the music industry. so hip hop as an ethos of inspiration, because hip hop is influenced so many different business practices in the last 30 years. >> 24 participants were chosen out of 300 to meet up once a month for this intensive business boot camp. >> creative professionals and musicians are brought in to teach courses, conduct seminars and share their

experience as entrepreneurs. >> i'm looking forward to learning more about being a team player. >> there's even a shark-tank style presentation for these aspiring future business owners at the end of the program. >> how does that pitch round work? >> we're gonna have a group of 4 or 5 people within kind of the big financial community, be judges to listen to every single student's pitch and then impartially choose the 1-3 winners and then we're going to award them the seed money. >> not only do they hope to help young adults realize their dreams, but also help level the playing field for men and women from under represented communities. >> and so we're really looking to appeal to men and women who have amazing wonderful ideas who might have made a couple mistakes in their past lives, >> give them the, give them the tools to be in control of their own fiscal financial destiny. >> the motto is 'craft your hustle' and their new model of teaching is creating quite a buzz. >> well, from aspiring entrepreneurs to a pair of

already successful business owners who just opened up a stylish boutique in north philadelphia. >> here's sharrie williams with the story. >> it's a unique space. >> the sable collective, a fashionable oasis in the heart of north philadelphia, is the passion project of syreeta scott and shanti mayers. >> i felt like there was no store that id ever been to that existed in philadelphia like sable where as a woman of color where i stepped in i felt like the forethought. >> attached to syreeta's salon, duafe holistic hair care, the boutique is curated with a wide variety of products designed for every woman's joy, wellness and beauty needs. >> we were very thoughtful in figuring out what we do have in here for our demographic. we want it to be a sanctuary. >> from home decor and vintage fashion, to jewelry and crystals, there's something at sable for everyone. >> theres new products coming in, new artists being featured. nearly all of the >> nearly all of the products are made by women.

we have the philadelphia print works. >> we have rachel stewarts. >> we have my sister who makes jewelry. >> they also design some of their own items including greeting cards, signature head wraps and socks. >> theyre fun with kente cloth and african cloth. >> they even have ones adorned with our former first lady. >> everybody needs michelle obama socks. >> shes with you everywhere you go now! everywhere you go! >> the ladies say sable is not just a boutique, but a space for the whole community to enjoy. >> we did it bc we wanted to be a part of north phillys development, and bring people within the neighborhood here as well as folks outside to be a part of it. >> that was something chic for the ladies. >> now, onto men's fashion. >> two creative minds came together to create a clothing company that specializes in bright, bold textiles that pay homage to the african diaspora. >> walé oyejidé and sam hubler created the menswear company ikiré jones in 2013. the designs are a nod to

wale's homeland of nigeria. >> so what we do is basically kind of european style tailoring with west african aesthetics. >> they create custom fabrics and designs for the everyday man who's not afraid to have a little fun with his fashion. >> there's an art to to to having clothes that are both wearable and still bold. >> wale has been dubbed the brains of the operation while sam is considered the bronze who creates and tailors the garments. >> wale designs these great patterns. mhm, and it's my job to make a story on the body itself. >> you're patterns and what you're creating, it's almost like wearable art. >> we still make wonderful, elegant tailoring, but something that catches the eye as well. >> this electric blue matching suit offers more than meets the eye. >> if you turn around there's also. >> oh, hello. >> some more color accents. >> oh, look at that! the paint leg in the back. and as the weather heats up, this funky black and white suit is the perfect way to kick off a new season. >> yeah, it's very much a summer time, comfortable, relaxed look. >> and in today's political climate, there's a larger purpose behind their clothing. >> what i really like to do is

kind of speak about and address the societal issues and that really affect people all over the world, so for me the clothing really is just a vigil to talk about these things we kinda use our clothing as a way to address these different stories. >> here's to making a bold statement in style on many levels. >> and their designs are receiving international acclaim. they've been featured in museums exhibits in spain, germany and israel! >> and right here at our philadelphia museum of art! we now visit a local art gallery in new jersey where you'll find an eclectic mix of artwork and gifts. >> our own christie illeto reports. >> to me art is what you live. >> mame young is the owner of labelle art gallery, a premiere african american art gallery in haddonfield. >> when i decided to open in south jersey it was to fill a void. the community didn't have any place to go to find any african american art. you know african american art to me is american art. >> the walls are filled with pieces from local artists, african american artists across the country and artists from around the world

including her home country of senegal. >> we try to make art accessible to everybody and enjoyable to everybody. >> also selling gift items, the store was designed to showcase the richness of african american life, history, and culture. >> its basically, the whole experience as african americans what we go through, um what we live. >> mame says she sees herself as a bridge between the community and the art world. >> ive seen children come in here, look at different pieces of art and say hey this is me! and that warms my heart. >> in the back of the art gallery, you'll find the house of flair, a lifestyle boutique run by 22-year old artist and entrepreneur, niara >> wright. >> im here for the artist inside of you so when you come here youre to find you know the creativity in you. >> carrying independent artists and designers, you'll find unique handmade and one of a kind items. >> body care products, beauty, clothing, accessories , art, pottery the whole nine. >> together, mame and niara are able to share their passion for art with the city of haddonfield.

>> its just really awesome for black women to work together to show unity. >> showing that working together you build something better. >> small businesses like labelle gallery are thriving. it's reported that african- american women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in america. owning roughly one point three million businesses, employing nearly three hundred thousand workers, and generating over fifty two billion in revenue. >> hashtag black girl magic! >> indeed! >> coming up on visions 2017, we talk to the head of the city's office of re-entry >> and hear the call to enlist 1000 black male.

>> welcome back to visions 2017, celebrating black history month. >> we're here at the african - american museum of philadelphia celebrating its 40th birthday this year! >> our next segment deals with the effects of mass incarceration within the african american community and how our city is working to help the tens of thousands

returning citizens navigate back into society. >> tamala edwards sits down with the new executive director tasked with preparing and presenting options to those just out of prison. >> cecily bradford-jones was hired to lead r.i.s.e. the mayor's office of reintegration services. >> if someone said i've never come into contact with rise, what would you say? >> i'd say we we're the first stop for folks coming home from prison so that we help them develop a plan for sustainability for them not to go back to prison. you come to the office to meet with a case manager who will do an assessment. >> they offer a four week program with a vast array of services, from ged classes, to job readiness training, to anger management classes. but she says it's the case workers that offer a personal link to aid in motivation. >> it's the person that will call you, let you know what's going on, give info for job leads, that will check on you if they know you are going through a hard time and that connection to a community, you need that lifeline to somebody. >> commissioner blanche carney, head of the philadelphia prisons department says part of the

philosophy to combat recidivism is to also offer inmates courses on decision making skills. >> because often times people are making choices and not thinking through the consequences or outcome will be or what that impact will be on a individual their community their families even themselves so that cognitive behavioral structuring is important. >> but the biggest indicator to staying out of prison is acquiring a sustainable job. >> and how do you get businesses or companies to take that chance. >> conversations. i understand that it's difficult. companies are just afraid and some of their fears can be easily squashed. there is data to show that folks returning home are more loyal, they stay longer rates of time, and another critical component with reentry casework - offering hope. >> this is a voluntary program and then we show them different opportunities and you see the sparkle in their eyes come back and they say maybe i can do this. there are guys that come here just to say thank you. i got this job, now i'm working on this job. people need to know that we're here, they need to know what we can do, and they need to know we can help. >> there was such relevant

information delivered about these services that we couldn't get it all in here, so we've we placed excerpts from the interview with ceciley bradford jones online. visit 6abc.com and search visions. >> from one important topic to another - recruiting more teachers. a west philadelphia principal, whose work has been recognized by president obama and oprah winfrey, is creating a new movement in the world of education. >> here's gray hall with the details. >> he protected the little guy right? >> sharif el-mekki has big plans. >> we believe education is the number 1 uh way to to fight for equity and justice. >> the son of activist, el-mekki, as he is affectionately known by his students and peers, grew up in the same west philadelphia neighborhood where he is now a school principal. >> i wanted to, be involved in activism, social justice. >> that mission has taken shape. he's now molding children at mastery charter's shoemaker campus but also creating a movement in philadelphia. >> we're asking a thousand men to show up at schools, welcome kids on the first day of

school, give them high-fives give them encouragement. >> it's called suit up - show up, scheduled for the first day of school august 28, 2017. >> it's one of two worthy objectives set by the fellowship of black male educators for social justice, a group sharif started 3 years ago.we went from 17, now we're >> we went from 17, now we're an organization of 80 of black makle educators across the city of philadelphia really proud that we've been able to grow this movement. >> 5 percent of philadelphia teachers are black males. so, the fellowship's second ambition to double that and have 1,000 black male educators by 20-25. >> we believe that that will be a really great opportunity for all students from all backgrounds to have a more diverse teaching force. >> you had 2 african american teachers i believe. >> yes. that impacted you. >> it did. >> it's also important that they see decision makers as people who look like them. so they can help them aspire to be anything they want how you feel i imagine this is not easy, right? >> no, it's never easy. >> it's always a challenge but it's a good challenge. >> so the work continues and sharif el-mekki is right in the middle of it.

activist, teacher and mentor. >> i'm hoping they look back and say. that was his student look at what they're doing now. >> when visions 2017 returns, >> meet a courageous little girl educating kids about organ transplants, and a >> and a former nfl player inspirin

>> welcome back to visions 2017. >> you've heard the saying when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade? >> yes. in beyonce's video. >> that too. but there is a mother and daughter team from west philadelphia that is taking; that saying to heart. but instead of making lemonade, they call it making liver-ade. >> jeannette reyes has this inspiring story. >> red light! >> green light! >> to see assiah phinisee run and play, you'd never guess how much this 8 year old has already been through. >> when assiah was born she was healthy, 7 pounds. >> but her mom, rasheena, had a u-t-i infection so doctors sent her home on an antibiotic. >> i was told it was ok to take while nursing her and she had an allergic reaction to

it. >> a reaction so severe that assiah went into liver failure. she spent 14 months on the transplant list and just 5 months after getting a new liver? she was back in the hospital, so sick she nearly died. >> what are you thinking? because she was born completely normal. >> your entire life falls apart by the age of 4, assiah >> by the age of 4, assiah needed a second liver transplant and this time she shared the organ with shared the organ with philadelphia singing legend, bobby rydell. >> how is that? >> it's pretty cool! >> when my mom first showed me that, i went bouncing and bouncing. >> run dee!! >> assiah convinced her mom to write a book about their ordeal. so, other children facing transplants wouldn't feel alone. >> i don't feel like kids deserve to suffer. they're so young! >> mom and daughter have now made it their mission to raise money and awareness about organ donation and transplantation. and they created a puppet named siah.

>> she's basically kind of like a replica of me. >> she's the lead character in a puppet show that mom and daughter are creating to bring the book to life. >> assiah, how do you feel now? well i'm kind of happy to >> well i'm kind of happy to be living now. >> she's now a perfectly healthy little girl with a big personality and even bigger dreams. >> what do you want to be when you grow up? >> a scientist! >> the first step is getting that puppet show on the road. but mom is hoping to eventually get it on netflix as well. >> a courageous little girl! >> now from an inspiring author to an encouraging athlete. brandon bing's story >> brandon bing's story started here in philadelphia and his athletic career has taken him to a few nfl cities. >> and now he's back making an impact at home. >> ducis rodgers shares his >> get out the next stop for these athletes is the nfl draft. >> the only way you can learn is you can learn from the best. as they prepare for a >> as they prepare for a turning point in their life, a man who's been there is getting them ready. >> my head was down the whole time drive, drive, drive. >> he been through the process so he knows what's coming. >> brandon bing reached the pinnacle.

he's a former nfl player who won a super bowl with the new york giants. >> get up. get out. >> now, his company, probing elite, trains athletes to reach their next level. >> i work with everyone from 7 to 77. >> right there, there you go. >> he's coaching olympic trialist and cheltenham high school sprinter chanel brisset. what do you get out of it? >> personal fulfillment honestly the same feeling i get out of helping people is the same as winning the super bowl. >> brandon's approach is the same whether he's training the next superstar or someone trying to find fitness for the first time.set - go. >> its not just about athletics with you is it? >> to me the overall umbrella is to inspire. >> a mission he carries on and off the field, acting as a mentor at local schools. >> teaching life skills like time management, attitude and finances. >> i see a lot of myself in these kids now at first it's like all right why do we have this guy here? and then i tell them my story it's more real to them.

>> he works with kids between 4th and 8th grade. >> that's kind of an important time when they're going to be shaped? >> it's a time where you can like go with this crew or go with that crew to be able to go back and reach these kids at this level t keeps me going actually. >> the message he delivers is the same in the classroom or on the field. >> explode out. >> i use the sport as a i vehicle my full thing is being a professional period that's why it's pro-bing. >> encouraging everyone he works with to be elite. >> we need more brandon bings in this life. >> thanks man, i appreciate it. >> great to see an athlete using his popularity to serve the community. >> now, it's time to jump into the next segment - literally! >> yes! i got a chance to meet up with a philadelphia based double-dutch group, jumping to inspire and empower the community. >> founders tanisha reinhardt and della burns created philly girls jump last april as a way to stay fit while reliving their childhood memories. >> founders tanisha reinhardt and della burns created philly girls jump last april as a way to stay fit while reliving their childhood memories of playing double dutch, the popular game of jumping inside two long ropes, turning in opposite directions. >> the mission of philly girls jump is not only to empower the spirit of fun and joy, but to also build community. >> the group formed after the ladies created a public facebook invite. >> we were hoping to get five to ten people, friends just to

come out and jump with us for fun. >> the post immediately went viral with more than 2,000 people showing up to the event. >> and then it, it gained so much popularity, we grew with it. the group holds weekly and >> the group holds weekly and monthly double-dutch sessions for people of all ages during the spring and summer all while giving back to the community. >> we partnered with another organization and we gave out over three hundred and fifty school supplies to the children. >> and it's free for anyone to join. >> people show up just to jump and have fun. >> is there a technique? what's the trick?! >> keep the beat. >> yes, keep the rhythm. move your feet and keep the beat. >> and after a few tries. i finally got the hang of it. i did it! i did it! and it's all just friendly competition of course. >> is there a prize. >> bragging rights (laughs} >> philly girls jump woo-hoo. >> you did pretty good there. >> i was okay.

>> welcome back to visions 2017 celebrating black history month. >> in september 2016, the national museum of african

american history and culture opened in washington, d.c. to great fanfare. >> this museum has been in the works since 2003. >> it is the premier institution detailing black american heritage from when enslaved africans were first brought to these shores to the present day accomplishments of people of color. >> there are many philadelphians who have contributed to the museum. >> and you'll find the custom hats of mae reeves on display. she opened her own millinery business in philadelphia back in 1940 and sold her decorative works to many stars and socialites of the day. >> here's the story of one local women who made a major gift to the museum on behalf of her late husband's incredible collection black film artifacts.vernon odom shares the story. >> the late larry richards was an avid collector of any and everything having to do with african-american filmmaking back in the early to mid 20th century. the artifacts date >> the artifacts date back to1916 when the first african american film production company originated. they acted, wrote produced films which were called race films. >> his widow, dr. beverly

richards, is now curator of this impressive collection called 'a cinema apart' which includes hundreds of rare race films. upstanding, positive, images that wanted to inspire to. >> they starred black actors that were in supporting and, side particular royal in movies and tv shows. >> spencer williams was known as andy in the tv series amos and andy. what we don't know is that was a writer actor, director, producer of race films. the >> the collection also includes a host of photos, clothes, jewelry other eclectic black film memorabilia. >> this is an example of the race film poster collection. you had the big stars like lena horne who were always too billers. this belonged to dorothy dandridge. this is a beautiful cigarette case. >> now, the public can see

many items from the 'a cinema apart' collection. >> i was thrilled that the smithsonian nmaahc has acquired almost 1,000 pieces from his prized collection. you'll see sammy davis jr's tap shoes. many photograpahs and lobby cards from paul robeson. >> dr. richards has a mission to keep sharing the legacy of black american cinema. >> and i think it's important for young people to understand that we've been in the industry on every level from distribution, writing, producing directing, owning the theaters and certainly making the films, they need to know that there were many who came before them. >> dr. richards has produced an hour-long documentary about race films called "the birth of black film" and she continues to lecture about the collection across the country. >> well thank you for watching visions 2017. >> a special thanks to the african american museum in philadelphia for hosting us. >> and congratulations on their 40th anniversary! i'm melissa magee. >> and i'm rick williams.

i'm sarah bloomquist with walter perez. coming up tonight the a warm weekend is lead nothing to a nice workweek ahead, accu weather forecast is ahead. thon 2017 is in the books and we will tell you how much these students raised this year. "action news" is next.

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"action news", delaware valley's leading news program, with meteorologist melissa magee, jeff skversky, sarah bloomquist and walter perez. sunday night, the white house explains what president trump was talking about when he referenced a mysterious incident in sweden. tolls day marked 12 years to the disappearance of the couple last seen at a bar in south street. but the big story object "action news" is record break ing warmth, the temperatures hit highs in