On this episode of “Iron Sharpens Iron,” Leon and De’Wayne speak with Rikeyah Lindsay, the Safety and Justice Coordinator at Mount Vernon Manor CDC in Mantua. Tackling issues from pedestrian safety to gun violence, Rikeyah, De’Wayne, and Leon dive into what it means to support safety in the city block by block. They discuss how the prevention of violence is just as important as interventions to reduce violence in neighborhood, and explore the critical role block captains play in supporting safety, justice and community joy. 

Rikeyah Lindsay is the Safety and Justice Coordinator at Mount Vernon Manor CDC (MVM)  in the Philadelphia neighborhood of Mantua. In her role at MVM, Rikeyah leads efforts to improve neighborhood safety, nourish individual and community-wide healing from violence and trauma, and support the personal development and capacities of West Philadelphia residents. Before coming to MVM, Rikeyah worked as a Family Navigator with Action for Early Learning, where she helped parents gain critical information about early education for their children. A lifelong member of the Mantua community, Rikeyah is also a member of the Mantua Urban Peace Garden, the Friends of the Mantua Greenway, and serves as a block leader on the 3800 block of Aspen Street. Rikeyah is a dedicated mother of one, with a passion for youth outreach and community engagement.

Episode transcript available here: https://pacdc.org/2017/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/12_-Rikeyah-Lindsay-Transcription.pdf

Producer: Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations, Sound Editor: Andrew Heppard, Cover Art: Jennifer Selpa, Music: Needed You by Will Ellsworth