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The Billies are back to celebrate Philly’s grit, creativity and unexpected joy
Billy Penn’s annual awards return Thursday, Oct. 8, honoring history advocates, artists, neighborhood connectors and some unforgettable Philly personalities.
A World Cup trophy made of nail clippings. A tiny sidewalk box that invites neighbors to trade treasures. A wedding photo session that turned into an international soccer celebration.
Philadelphia supplied plenty of memorable stories this year. On Thursday, Oct. 8, Billy Penn will celebrate the people behind them at the 12th annual Billies Awards.
The free event runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at WHYY Studios, 150 N. 6th St. Food and refreshments will be served, and an RSVP is required. Billy Penn reporters will introduce the honorees, whose stories range from preserving Black history to finding new ways to bring neighbors together.
The evening will also include a welcome from new Billy Penn editor Sharyn Flanagan.
Here’s who will receive this year’s awards — and the stories that brought them to our attention.
Truth Tellers Award: Rosalyn McPherson, Michael Coard, Mijuel Johnson and Raina Yancey
The Truth Tellers Award honors four advocates for keeping the history of slavery at the President’s House in public view. Their recognition comes in a year when the removal of the exhibit brought hundreds of people to Independence Mall to demand its return.
Billy Penn covered the rally to restore the President’s House slavery exhibit, where speakers emphasized the lives of the nine people George Washington enslaved there.
Creative Science Award: Sarah McAnulty
Science outreach can happen outside a classroom — sometimes from a moving bicycle.
Sarah McAnulty, executive director of Skype a Scientist, teamed up with Wednesday Night Rides for a ride scattering “seed bombs” containing native plant seeds around North Philadelphia. The project combined a social bike ride with an effort to support biodiversity, giving riders a hands-on way to help flowers take root in vacant lots.
Crowd-sourced Art Award: Clancy Philbrick
Clancy Philbrick found an unusual way to put a little piece of hundreds of people into one artwork.
The Philadelphia artist used roughly 8,000 fingernail and toenail clippings, contributed by more than 200 people worldwide, to build a replica of the World Cup trophy. Behind the eye-catching material was a critique of colonial labor exploitation and the global wealth divide.
Fighting Spirit Award: Jacqui Frazier-Lyde and Peter Lyde
Jacqui Frazier-Lyde and Peter Lyde will receive the Fighting Spirit Award, connected to this year’s celebration of “Smokin’” Joe Frazier’s legacy.
Billy Penn covered the unveiling of Frazier’s statue at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where family, friends and city leaders gathered to honor the heavyweight champion. Frazier-Lyde, his daughter and a former world champion boxer herself, spoke about her father’s resourcefulness and determination.
Trinket Trove Love Award: Elana Flehinger
At 15th and South streets, a small box offers a little lift.
Elana Flehinger created Philly Trinket Trove, a waterproof box outside Sonny’s Cocktail Joint where passersby can swap toys, stickers and other tiny treasures. Its appeal is simple: Leave something that might make a stranger smile, and find a little joy yourself.
Popcorn Award: Samantha DiMarco
For many Phillies fans, the entertainment at Citizens Bank Park extends into the stands.
Samantha DiMarco, known as Sam the Popcorn Girl, became a recognizable ballpark personality through her social media posts and knack for balancing a popcorn tub on her head. Billy Penn caught up with her when she announced she would miss much of the season for a new job at sea.
Street Art Award: Step Outside team
Suburban Station became more than a place to catch a train this summer.
The Step Outside team’s “Platform X” exhibition brought graffiti and street art into the station, creating a gallery that invited people to look, linger and participate. The show gave Philadelphia artists space to reflect on American history and contemporary life — and visitors a chance to make their own marks.
Wedding Crashers Award: Ashton and Zach Smith
Ashton and Zach Smith wanted classic wedding photos outside City Hall. Croatian soccer fans supplied something considerably less predictable.
Their encounter with a crowd of World Cup supporters turned into a singing, cheering celebration that spread online. The story has another chapter: The Smiths are now in Croatia with the fans and will appear by video for the Billies.
Streets Have Their Say Award: LeCount Street coalition
Tyrique Glasgow and Samaya Brown will receive the Streets Have Their Say Award on behalf of the LeCount Street coalition.
Billy Penn’s look at the campaign to rename Taney Street documented nearly six years of advocacy to honor Caroline LeCount, the Philadelphia educator, civil rights activist and transit desegregation advocate. The effort changed the signs — and whose history neighbors encounter every day.
Philly Mural Pioneer Award: Jane Golden
Philadelphia’s walls tell thousands of stories. Jane Golden helped make that possible.
The former Mural Arts Philadelphia leader will receive the Philly Mural Pioneer Award following her departure from the organization she helped build over more than four decades. Her work helped make public art a defining part of the city’s neighborhoods and identity.
The Billies are supported in part by Every Voice, Every Vote. Admission is free, with optional donations supporting WHYY’s community programs.
