Learning + Ideas

How a Philly Neighborhood is Reimagining Local News

March 31, 2026

a woman seated at a table talking while a 2nd person holds a microphone and a 3rd person looks on

For many communities, access to local news is either nonexistent or primarily focused on negative stories about the community related to crime, poverty, and crisis. That leaves a gap: where can people go to find useful information, see their community reflected with care, and connect with their neighbors?

That’s where neighborhood information hubs come in.

The Germantown Info Hub (GIH) is a hyperlocal news and information source serving Philadelphia’s Germantown neighborhoods. It shares community-centered, solutions-driven stories created with and for local residents.

Founded in 2018 by a group of academics, media makers, and community members, GIH grew from conversations with Germantown residents who wanted better, more accurate information about their community. The goal was simple and powerful: create a platform that strengthens connections between neighbors and improves Germantown's representation in the media.

To do this, the Germantown Info Hub team started by listening to better understand what information people needed, and how often they wanted and preferred to receive it. They hosted listening sessions at local Germantown organizations, such as senior centers and groups serving unhoused residents,

“We have our ears and eyes to the ground," said Rasheed Ajamu, Director of Community News and Engagement at Resolve Philly. "We're always looking to meet neighbors with information in the ways they want to be met.”

Since 2018, GIH has created multiple ways to connect residents with the timely life-saving information they need.

One standout example is the G-Town Text Line. The SMS text line delivers timely updates on where to find food distributions, job opportunities, utility assistance, local events, and more. It goes beyond automated messages, allowing residents to text back and receive real-time responses from a GIH reporter.

GIH has actively addressed urgent community needs. When government cuts threatened access to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the team published a series highlighting local nonprofits and mutual aid groups stepping in to fill the gaps. They've also reported on workshops related to immigration and ICE raids, helping residents access critical information even if they couldn’t attend in person.

“We attended various workshops and trainings designed for community response to issues related to immigration and ICE raids, and reported on them to bring information to our readers. We recognize that not all neighbors have the time, access, or ability to attend these events,” said Rasheed.

Photo credit: Germantown Info Hub/Ireland Davies

Since 2021, GIH has joined Resolve Philly, which works with communities throughout Philadelphia to meet their information needs. GIH has been part of Resolve Philly’s strategy to be neighborhood-fueled, which means carefully assessing the needs of the city's neighborhoods to determine which could benefit most from a small news and information needs hub.

Beyond written reporting, GIH has created spaces for conversation and connection. Through a previous collaboration with G-Town Radio, the team produced "The Germantown Info Hub Hour." The weekly show featured local leaders, residents, artists, and organizers discussing issues and solutions impacting the community.

The episodes ranged from a conversation about workers’ rights with Brittany Alston of the Philly Black Workers Project to an interview with Kera Gibbs, a Germantown artist who highlights dancers living with chronic illnesses. Through these stories, GIH helps residents better understand their rights, identify their shared experiences, and learn from one another.

“Germantown Info Hub serves as a bridge between our past and our future, offering a space where our local joys and systemic struggles are reported with the nuance they deserve," said Eboni Zamani, a local filmmaker, Germantown resident, and GIH contributor. "By contributing our voices to GIH, we bring together the elders who anchored us and the youth who need their own stories of belonging.”

a group of people at a community meeting

Photo credit: Germantown Info Hub

In an era marked by rising misinformation and news fatigue, Germantown Info Hub continues to experiment with creative and innovative ways to engage the community. From social media explainers about town hall meetings to “Germantown Quizzo,” a trivia series that teaches residents about the neighborhood’s rich history and vibrant Black culture, GIH is boosting civic engagement in Germantown.

Through these projects, Germantown Info Hub is building more than a newsroom; it's creating a space where people across generations, backgrounds, and experiences can come together.

“GIH recognizes that now, more than ever, neighbors need to be connected with trustworthy information that helps them navigate the everyday challenges," said Rasheed. "[For that reason], hyperlocal news and information is a tool for civic activation and power-building."

Header photo credit: Germantown Info Hub

Author

Enni Aigbomian

Enni is a storyteller and visual content creator using communication and media to elevate the experiences of Black and brown communities in the U.S. and abroad. A communicator for social change, Enni has collaborated with international community media and nonprofits such as World Young Women’s Christian Association, Fundación CEDESOCIAL, Vokaribe Radio, and HOPE Worldwide, Bolivia.

Enni has worked with Philadelphia community media and nonprofits such as the American Friends Service Committee, FunTimes Magazine, and Philatinos Radio. She previously led communications at Read by 4th, Philadelphia’s grade-level reading campaign managed by the Free Library of Philadelphia. She serves on the board of Shelterforce Magazine, an independent publication that covers the worlds of community development, affordable housing, and neighborhood stabilization.

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