https://kejsiruka.journoportfolio.comRSS Feed for Kejsi RukaenSun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rss.phillycam.org/may-17-2026-around-the-block/(15:10) Several Yemeni-style coffee shops have opened in Philly over the last few years, providing gathering places for immigrant and Muslim communities, and serving dessert and hot beverages until late at night, long after most other coffee shops in the city are closed. Around the Block reporter Kejsi Ruka recently visited one of the newest Yemeni-style cafes in the city to find out what makes these places special.Sun, 17 May 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rss.phillycam.org/may-17-2026-around-the-block/https://rss.phillycam.org/december-14-2025-around-the-block/(02:47) Judges are in charge of making decisions that impact all of our lives, but the elections that put them in positions of power are usually not that popular among voters. However, in recent years, more people are realizing the ways in which the judicial branch can support certain political agendas. While a lot more money and interest is being poured into judicial elections, Around the Block’s Kejsi Ruka explores the pros and cons of electing judges, and an alternative to the current system.Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000https://rss.phillycam.org/december-14-2025-around-the-block/https://rss.phillycam.org/october-9-2025-around-the-block/(0:50) Amidst all of the national upheaval, local nonprofit organizations have been on the ground providing critical services and support to immigrant communities. Around the Block’s Kejsi Ruka spoke to some of the city’s immigrant-serving nonprofits to understand how this administration has affected the work they do and the people they work with.Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://rss.phillycam.org/october-9-2025-around-the-block/https://rss.phillycam.org/may-28-2025/(0:27) Block by Block's Kejsi Ruka reports that a group of advocates for immigrants in the region is pushing to strengthen the city's stance in making Philadelphia public schools a safe place for students from immigrant families.Wed, 28 May 2025 00:00:00 +0100https://rss.phillycam.org/may-28-2025/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-ras-file-to-unionize/Kejsi RukaRyan Keating Resident assistants at Drexel University announced their intent to unionize in a petition submitted to Drexel President John Fry on March 11. 80 percent of Drexel resident assistants, which includes 102 students, signed the petition to form a union with OPEIU-152 and to demand voluntary recognition, according to a press release. The petition calls for (1) Drexel to voluntarily recognize the union and (2) “If Drexel instead proceeds to a union election, the University wi...Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-ras-file-to-unionize/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-ras-file-to-unionize/Resident assistants at Drexel University announced their intent to unionize in a petition submitted to Drexel President John Fry on March 11. 80 percent of Drexel resident assistants, which includes 102 students, signed the petition to form a union with OPEIU-152 and to demand voluntary recognition, according to a press release. The petition calls for (1) Drexel to voluntarily recognize the union and (2) “If Drexel instead proceeds to a union election, the University will not employ deceptive,Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-ras-file-to-unionize/https://resolvephilly.org/pjc/on-being-biracial-broadens-the-narrative-on-racial-identity/“Whether biracial characters were depicted as acting for good or for evil, they were representations of disunity and isolation — caricatures more than fully realized people.” “On Being Biracial” is a podcast hosted by journalists Daralyse Lyons and Malcolm Burnley exploring the complexities of biracial experiences and identities in the U.S. As a project powered by the newly launched Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative, “On Being Biracial” examines the nuances of multiracial identities over thTue, 24 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0100https://resolvephilly.org/pjc/on-being-biracial-broadens-the-narrative-on-racial-identity/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/student-groups-call-for-inclusion-of-palestinian-voices-in-university-statements/Drexel Students for Justice in Palestine released a letter on Oct. 12 addressing the absence of support they have been receiving from President John Fry and Drexel administration. “We, students of Drexel University representing Palestinian voices and our partners in solidarity are writing this statement to express our profound disappointment and sadness at the recent email sent by President John Fry regarding the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip. Though we applaud the email’s support foFri, 20 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/student-groups-call-for-inclusion-of-palestinian-voices-in-university-statements/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/scholly-app-acquired-by-sallie-mae/For almost a decade now, Scholly has become a premier tool for students and families to access and apply for customized scholarship opportunities. In a world where college costs are constantly rising, Scholly helps bridge the ever-growing gap. The numbers speak for the platform’s success: Students have won more than $100 million in scholarships through Scholly. Recently, Sallie Mae, a private loan lender corporation, acquired key assets of Scholly, which made the platform free and will expand tFri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/scholly-app-acquired-by-sallie-mae/https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/380450/uploads/105988f6-ca07-4fb2-abbc-65d85afcccce.pdfSun, 18 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/380450/uploads/105988f6-ca07-4fb2-abbc-65d85afcccce.pdfhttps://www.thetriangle.org/news/student-outcry-health-sciences-explained/The grand opening of Drexel University’s new Health Sciences building on Wednesday, Dec. 7 was marked by an unanticipated student rally. Outside of the newly-opened twelve-story building where the ribbon cutting ceremony occurred, students from the UC Townhomes coalition, Drexel Community for Justice and Drexel for PILOTs called out the university for their participation in the gentrification of West Philadelphia and the displacement of its long-time residents. In 2014, Drexel and Wexford ScienWed, 14 Dec 2022 00:00:00 +0000https://www.thetriangle.org/news/student-outcry-health-sciences-explained/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/first-drexel-indigenous-peoples-day-celebration/On Monday, Oct. 10 at 12 p.m., Drexel University’s Indigenous Students of the Americas (DISA) organized the first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at the university. Held at Skyview Lounge in Macalister Hall, the event featured guest speakers, food, music, performances and more. Indigenous Peoples’ Day has a short history at Drexel, only becoming an official university holiday in 2020 along with Juneteenth. Drexel Indigenous Students of the Americas is also a relatively new organization on cFri, 14 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/first-drexel-indigenous-peoples-day-celebration/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/pret-grand-opening-drexel/United Kingdom-based coffee and sandwich shop Pret-a-Manger held a grand opening ceremony for its new location on campus on Sept. 15. The ceremony featured representatives from Drexel Business Services, Aramark, ACC and Pret-a-Manger. Located at The Summit building on 3400 Lancaster Ave, the new Pret has replaced what once was a Starbucks location. Pret offers a variety of food and drink options on its menu, ranging from coffee and pastries to fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads. Pret prides itFri, 23 Sep 2022 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/pret-grand-opening-drexel/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/ukrainian-russian-students-share-thoughts-on-the-ongoing-war/Just hours before playing the NCAA Final National Championship with the Drexel Women’s Squash team, Alina Bushma heard the news of Russia invading her home country on Feb. 25. Bushma, a Ukrainian international student, is from the capital city of Kyiv, where her parents and grandparents still live. “I opened up my phone and go on Instagram and I see all my friends’ stories about what’s going on, what to do, pictures of bombings, all of this, and I’m like, ‘What the hell?’” Bushma recalls. “WheFri, 10 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/ukrainian-russian-students-share-thoughts-on-the-ongoing-war/https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-shares-breakdown-of-incoming-class-of-2025-26-first-class-with-test-optional-policy/Despite a year of unprecedented circumstances, Drexel received a 10 percent increase in applications and 3,136 active confirmation enrollments as of May 7 for the incoming undergraduate class of 2025/2026. As a result of the pandemic, the admissions office adjusted some of their policies and outreach strategies to students and families, among those being a test optional policy. Drexel received 34,500 undergraduate applications this year, compared to 31,250 applications last year. “A lot of thaFri, 14 May 2021 00:00:00 +0100https://www.thetriangle.org/news/drexel-shares-breakdown-of-incoming-class-of-2025-26-first-class-with-test-optional-policy/