Layla A. Jones

Reporter

Layla A. Jones (she/her) is a general assignment reporter for WHYY's Billy Penn. She's previously worked as a communications director for Councilwoman Cindy Bass, as a political reporter for the Philadelphia Tribune, and as an arts and entertainment web producer at the Inquirer.

She has a journalism degree from Temple University, back when Klein College was called the School of Communications and Theater. Layla's written everything from breaking news to feature-length artists profiles, but has a special focus on covering Black life, culture and politics.

Francisco Garcia is Philly's first Latino distiller

Strivers’ Row opens in Kensington as Philly’s first Latino-owned distillery

Soon you'll able to order a bottle of Papa Juan, a whiskey-based twist on the Dominican drink mamajuana.

Secret Philly

Secret Philly: The history of Swann Memorial Fountain, from execution site to temperance monument

Logan Circle’s picturesque oasis has a fascinating backstory.

Nahye Hyman, 13, has been a volunteer at Fletcher Street for three years

Donations to North Philly riding club skyrocket after confusion over ‘Concrete Cowboy’ fundraiser

The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is still searching for a new permanent home.

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The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's new dashboard compares shootings with other factors in the city

Broke in Philly

What you’ll find in the new health department dashboard that tracks city violence

How do shootings relate to employment, education, income and age — and what’s the financial toll on the hospital system and the community?

The virus is thought to have come ashore at the wharf where the Arch Street Ferry docked

Secret Philly

When yellow fever ravaged Philadelphia, Black residents were asked for help. Then they died.

During the early stages of the 18th century epidemic, doctors believed African Americans were immune.

Philadelphians demanding more resources to combat gun violence marched down South Broad Street

To stop Philly gun violence, officials should put their money where their mouth is, protesters say

“We are robbing our children of a childhood,” said an organizer of Friday’s rally at City Hall.

Philly’s coronavirus response

Philly vaccine map shows some progress in reducing economic gap

There's still a major divide when it comes to race and ethnicity of city vaccine recipients.

The entrance to the Giant Riverwalk is on 23rd Street

What you’ll find at the huge new Giant supermarket on the Schuylkill River

Local products, a coffee shop, 40 beers on tap and terrace seating with a view of 30th Street Station.

Parkway Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia

Free Library discrimination concerns

Free Library trustees vote to replace board chair decried by Concerned Black Workers

New board chair Folasade A. Olanipekun-Lewis was elected less than a year after the resignation of former library president Siobhan Reardon.

The minimum wage at all the supermarket chains in Philly

Are the folks who stock your grocery shelves making $15 an hour — or $8?

Reporter

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