How to (Not) Kill Your Community

Delaware Community Foundation President & CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay gathers insights from remarkable experts across Delaware, each offering their perspective on what it takes to build and sustain thriving communities for the long haul.

Eric Klinenberg: (Don't) Abandon Social Infrastructure 06/09/2025

Eric Klinenberg: (Don't) Abandon Social Infrastructure In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Eric Klinenberg, author of 2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed, about what the COVID-19 pandemic revealed about our reliance on social infrastructure. Eric Klinenberg is Helen Gould Shepard Professor of Social Science and Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University. He is the author of Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life (Crown, 2018), Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone (The Penguin Press, 2012), Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America’s Media (Metropolitan Books, 2007), and Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (University of Chicago Press, 2002), as well as the editor of Cultural Production in a Digital Age, co-editor of Antidemocracy in America (Columbia University Press, 2019), and co-author, with Aziz Ansari, of the New York Times #1 bestseller Modern Romance (The Penguin Press, 2015). /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36924755

Jill DiPaolo and Jamar Rahming: (Don't) Bury the Libraries 06/09/2025

Jill DiPaolo and Jamar Rahming: (Don't) Bury the Libraries In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Delaware librarians Jill DiPaolo and Jamar Rahming about the vital role libraries play in sustaining our democracy. Jamar Rahming serves as the Executive Director of the Wilmington Public Library in Delaware. Under his leadership, the library has become a vibrant community hub, hosting notable figures such as Angela Davis, LeVar Burton, and Dolly Parton. In recognition of its exceptional service, the library received the 2022 National Medal for Museum and Library Services. Rahming's dedication to community engagement and inclusivity earned him the 2025 "I Love My Librarian" award. With a career spanning two decades across eight states, including a fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution, Rahming continues to champion the transformative power of libraries. Jill DiPaolo is the Director of the Lewes Public Library. Before assuming her current role, she served as Director of both the Selbyville and Milton Public Libraries and held leadership positions in outreach and technology services at the Sussex County Department of Libraries. In 2022, DiPaolo spearheaded the inaugural Sussex County Scripps National Spelling Bee. She was also instrumental in securing technology grants from the Gates Foundation to enhance library services statewide. Residing in Lewes with her husband, Mike, and their two children, DiPaolo maintains strong ties to the community she serves. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36924540

Senator Russ Huxtable: (Don't) Build Walls, Not Homes 05/27/2025

Senator Russ Huxtable: (Don't) Build Walls, Not Homes In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with State Senator Russ Huxtable on how affordable housing impacts the health of a community, from hospital wait times to the service industry. Senator Russ Huxtable has been serving Delaware's 6th District, which includes Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach, since his election in 2022. A native Delawarean, he has over two decades of experience in affordable housing and community development, including serving as vice president of the Milford Housing Development Corporation. His commitment to community service began in high school and continued through college, where he volunteered with the Appalachia Service Project and home repair ministry serving Central Appalachia. Beyond his legislative duties, he remains active in his community, coaching youth soccer and participating in local historical activities. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36727280

Mariah Ghant and Patti Grimes: (Don't) Undervalue the Arts 05/27/2025

Mariah Ghant and Patti Grimes: (Don't) Undervalue the Arts In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay sits down with Mariah Ghant of Delaware Shakespeare and Patti Grimes of the Freeman Arts Pavilion to explore how the arts create space for connection across difference. Mariah Ghant is the Producing Artistic Director of Delaware Shakespeare. Before she assumed the position in 2024, she served as the Artistic Associate and Literary Manager at the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia. An accomplished actress, Mariah portrayed Hippolyta/Titania in Delaware Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Marc Antony in Julius Caesar, and took on the title role in Macbeth. She has also been a member of Delaware Shakespeare's Artistic Squad, contributing to the organization's creative initiatives in a variety of ways including being a teaching artist, developing new events, and directing short programs. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Mariah is an alumna of Vassar College. Patti Grimes is the Executive Director of the Freeman Arts Pavilion and the Carl M. Freeman Foundation. Under her leadership, the Freeman Arts Pavilion has welcomed over a million visitors since 2008. She also oversees the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, which has granted over $60 million to nonprofit organizations. Grimes serves as Vice Chair for Delaware Technical Community College and serves as a Board Member for Leadership Delaware. With over four decades at the Carl M. Freeman Companies, she continues to foster community engagement and cultural growth in the region. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36727195

Margie López Waite: (Don't) Resist Newcomers 05/27/2025

Margie López Waite: (Don't) Resist Newcomers In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Margie López Waite about the role newcomers and immigrants play in strengthening our economic and social ties. Margie López Waite is the CEO and co-founder of Las Américas ASPIRA Academy, Delaware's first dual-language charter school. She transitioned to education after a 16-year career at MBNA/Bank of America. She earned a master's degree in secondary education and school leadership certification from Wilmington University in 2008. Margie serves on several boards, including the Delaware Charter School Network, Community Education Building, Rodel, and the Delaware Community Foundation. Margie resides in Delaware with her husband, Wally Waite Jr., and their two sons, Quincy and Isaiah. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36726950

Jac Rivers and Christopher S. Gunter: (Don't) Lock Out Local Talent 05/12/2025

Jac Rivers and Christopher S. Gunter: (Don't) Lock Out Local Talent In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with the Equitable Hiring Initiative (EHI) co-founders Jac Rivers and Christopher S. Gunter about why businesses cannot afford to ignore local talent. Jac Rivers is a Vice President and Program Officer at JPMorgan Chase, leading the firm's strategic philanthropic investments in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Southern New Jersey. With a background in law, public policy, and government administration, she focuses on innovative approaches to racial equity and wealth creation for Black and Latino communities. Before joining JPMorgan Chase, Jac served as Chief of Staff in the Managing Director’s Office for the City of Philadelphia, overseeing five operating departments. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Sociology from Lehigh University. Christopher S. Gunter is the Community Impact & Investment Philanthropy Lead at Capital One's Wilmington office, where he directs the foundation's philanthropic investments across the Delaware Valley and Midwest regions. His work emphasizes enhancing socio-economic mobility through innovative programs, inclusive products, and impactful philanthropy. He is also a certified diversity professional, with research interests in areas such as racially-based police targeting and the re-entry process of African-American males post-corrections. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Public Administration from the University of Delaware and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice, focusing on criminal behavior, from Wilmington University. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36533605

Secretary Ed Kee : (Don't) Take the Land for Granted 05/12/2025

Secretary Ed Kee : (Don't) Take the Land for Granted In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with former Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee about the economic value of strong local agriculture, the role of immigration in farming, and the importance of balancing development with the needs of farming communities. Ed Kee is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on vegetable science who has dedicated his career to Delaware agriculture. He was appointed by Governor Jack Markell as Delaware's Secretary of Agriculture and served from 2009 to 2017. Before his tenure as secretary, Kee spent 30 years with the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension as an agricultural agent, state vegetable crops specialist, and agriculture program leader. He also served as director of agriculture for Hanover Foods Corporation. An accomplished author, Kee has written extensively on agricultural and historical topics, including the books "Saving Our Harvest: The History of the Mid-Atlantic Canning and Freezing Industry" and "Delaware Farming." /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36532975

Mariah Calagione: (Don't) Let Philanthropy Fade 04/28/2025

Mariah Calagione: (Don't) Let Philanthropy Fade In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Dogfish Head co-founder Mariah Calagione about the value of philanthropy for both businesses and the communities they serve. Mariah Calagione is the co-founder of Dogfish Head Brewery and recently retired as the Social Impact Leader at the Boston Beer Company. Raised in Milford, Delaware, she met her husband, Sam Calagione, during high school, and together they established Dogfish Head in 1995. Mariah's early roles encompassed marketing, public relations, and social media, eventually focusing on philanthropic initiatives through the Beer & Benevolence program. She has served on various boards, including The Nature Conservancy and the University of Delaware, (and oh yeah, the Delaware Community Foundation). Mariah and Sam have two adult children and continue to contribute actively to both their business and local community. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36346625

Congresswoman Sarah McBride: (Don't) Ignore Outsiders 04/28/2025

Congresswoman Sarah McBride: (Don't) Ignore Outsiders In this episode, Stuart Comstock-Gay speaks with Congresswoman Sarah McBride on why we shouldn't just accept that some people are outsiders, or worse, our enemies. Sarah McBride is the U.S. Representative for Delaware’s at-large congressional district. Before winning her seat in 2024, she served as a Delaware State Senator, where she championed LGBTQ+ rights, healthcare access, and paid family leave. McBride first gained national recognition in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to speak at a major party convention. She previously worked as the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, advocating for non-discrimination protections nationwide. Born and raised in Wilmington, she earned a degree in political science from American University in Washington, D.C. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36346570

How to (Not) Kill Your Community Trailer 04/28/2025

How to (Not) Kill Your Community Trailer In the first season of How to (Not) Kill Your Community from the Delaware Community Foundation, President and CEO Stuart Comstock-Gay seeks answers from experts on how to build and maintain thriving communities for the long-haul. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/36341045

Nerds Can do Great Things - Markevis Gideon 12/20/2023

Nerds Can do Great Things - Markevis Gideon Markevis Gideon uses the word "intentionality" to describe the work he does at NERDiT NOW. The organization is intentional about giving back and working to bridge the digital and wealth divides in the community. Gideon also discusses how his "life changed because of one computer" and the necessity of computers in today's modern times. Learn more about . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/29147973

HBCUs Matter - Ashley Christopher 12/13/2023

HBCUs Matter - Ashley Christopher Ashley Christopher was working in the Wilmington mayor's office when she was tasked with developing an idea to engage Wilmington's underserved communities. She thought education was the path forward and the idea for HBCU Week came forth. Now the CEO of , Christopher and the organization have offered thousands of scholarships totaling millions of dollars to students looking to continue their education. She also touches on what it means to be in the HBCU community (as a two-time HBCU alum) and how the institutions can impact young people. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/29040378

A Holistic Approach to Healthcare - Dr. Rama Peri 12/06/2023

A Holistic Approach to Healthcare - Dr. Rama Peri Dr. Rama Peri moved around the medical field when she first arrived in Delaware with her family, working at a local hospital, in private practice and even at a school. However, she wanted to balance her family life with her professional life while also working in the community, so she started The Rosa Health Center in 2015. In this episode, host Stuart Comstock-Gay talks with Dr. Peri about her past, how she got into medicine and also about the future of medicine and how she sees community doctors evolving. The two also briefly talk about the expansion project happening at . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28943438

Unconditional Love - Adam Kramer 11/29/2023

Unconditional Love - Adam Kramer The influences in one's life can be either positive or negative... For Adam Kramer, he had a lot of negative influences growing up, which led to a life of drug dealing and jail time. After getting out, and getting on the straight path, Kramer, a former felon, teamed up with a former FBI agent to try to bring some positive influences into the lives of young kids in Delaware through the . He sits down with host Stuart Comstock-Gay to go through it all: his upbringing, his jail time and his path back to being a positive influence in kids' lives. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28846408

Treat Them like Leaders - India Colon-Diaz 11/22/2023

Treat Them like Leaders - India Colon-Diaz India Colon-Diaz is the vice president of Nuestras Raices Delaware (NR Delaware), an organization dedicated to cultural inclusion, building positive connections, distributing resources, and encouraging social growth. She sits down with host Stuart Comstock-Gay to discuss her upbringing in Wilmington and the changes she's seen in the Hispanic community. They also take a deep dive into NR Delaware and the work they're doing to bring new leaders to the table in Delaware. Learn more about . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28722283

Fighting Inequities in Wilmington - Darryl "Wolfie" Chambers 11/15/2023

Fighting Inequities in Wilmington - Darryl "Wolfie" Chambers Darryl Chambers, also known as "Wolfie" and "The Mayor of Wilmington," has been fighting the inequities in Wilmington to try and make the city better for all of its citizens. In this episode, Wolfie talks about why he started the Center for Structural Equity, the inequities that he sees, such as education, healthcare and employment in Wilmington and across Delaware, and what communities and their people have to do to combat such inequities. Learn more about the . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28636868

The Power of the Arts - Michelle Freeman 11/08/2023

The Power of the Arts - Michelle Freeman There are many ways to bring joy to a community, but Michelle Freeman has found that the arts are the best way for her community to experience joy. Freeman, the CEO of the Carl M. Freeman Companies, the president and chairperson of the Carl M. Freeman Foundation and the founder and CEO of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, sat down with host Stuart Comstock-Gay to discuss how the foundations she runs bring joy to the Delmarva area. They also discuss her ascension to these roles, after the passing of her father-in-law and husband, as well as other hardships she's faced in her life and how she's overcome them. Learn more about the . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28548092

Creating Communities - Erin Gruwell 11/01/2023

Creating Communities - Erin Gruwell Erin Gruwell, author of the New York Times Bestseller The Freedom Writers' Diary, sits down with host Stuart Comstock-Gay to talk about how she learned to create a community of writers as a fresh-faced English teacher in Room 203. Gruwell discusses how she got her students to better their lives through reading and writing, with her students coining themselves the “Freedom Writers” after the “Freedom Riders” group as a way to show they were standing up to the violence and oppression in their lives. Now, over 20 years later, Gruwell continues to teach others how to create communities through storytelling, writing, listening to one another and giving light in dark places. The two also discuss her latest book, Dear Freedom Writer. Find out more information on the Freedom Writers by visiting the . /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28475684

Building Opportunity in Delaware - Season 5 Trailer 10/25/2023

Building Opportunity in Delaware - Season 5 Trailer Season 5 of Building Opportunity is coming next week! This season, host Stuart Comstock-Gay sits down with community leaders in education, tech, health and the arts to discuss communities, leadership, mentorship and passing the mic to the next generation. The season starts Nov. 1 with episodes available every Wednesday. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/28419926

Nine More Ideas 01/25/2023

Nine More Ideas We’ve talked a lot about polarization this season – but what can we do about it? We welcome back all of our guests to each share one actionable thing anyone can do to reduce polarization – in our communities, in our daily lives, and in our interactions with others. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25302447

News that Asks Us to Think Differently: The Power of Local Journalism 01/18/2023

News that Asks Us to Think Differently: The Power of Local Journalism Media is often blamed for polarization – but nonprofit and local news models could offer a solution. Today, we sit down with Allison Taylor Levine, the VP of Marketing and Communications at the DCF, and the founder of the Local Journalism Initiative Delaware. We discuss how local news builds empathy, trust, and understanding, and how solutions-based journalism can move readers from fear and frustration to empowerment and action. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25302420

Educate and Build Trust: Fighting Polarization in Healthcare 01/11/2023

Educate and Build Trust: Fighting Polarization in Healthcare Dr. David Tam became the CEO of Beebe Healthcare at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he’s made it his mission to build trust inside the communities Beebe serves, even as polarization has had dramatic consequences to public health. Dr. Tam shares his insights about how healthcare needs to evolve – and how conversations between patients and providers could be a key to bridging the divide. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25302372

Muraqabah: Vigilance Against Yourself 01/04/2023

Muraqabah: Vigilance Against Yourself Dr. Muqtedar Khan is a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations and in the Department of Islamic Studies at the University of Delaware. Today, he shares insights on American polarization – its economic, political, and social roots, what’s causing it to accelerate, and what we can do to overcome it. Dr. Khan also shares his perspective on the declining freedom of speech within academic institutions – and how identity politics, virtue signaling, and personal moral hierarchies can blind us to our own intolerance and judgment. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25300800

On Some Level, Art is Political 12/28/2022

On Some Level, Art is Political Molly Giordano has spent years building a community-oriented space at the Delaware Art Museum, where open dialogues about art flourish. Molly weighs in on how polarization has impacted arts institutions, and pushes back against claims that art and art institutions have become too political. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25300743

You’re Not as Bad as I Thought You Were 12/21/2022

You’re Not as Bad as I Thought You Were Don Ward has deep roots in rural Sussex County – and he’s seen how polarization has affected communities like his. Don joins us this week here to talk to us about the dangers of judging others solely on their political views, how polarization creates divisions within religious communities, and what happens when development brings new faces into small towns. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25300716

Exiting the Echo Chamber 12/14/2022

Exiting the Echo Chamber Angela Davis. Herschel Walker. Dolly Parton. Dennis Rodman. All have come to the Wilmington Library at the invitation of Library Director Jamar Rahming. He believes libraries can teach us how to listen to opposing viewpoints, distinguish authoritative sources of information, and contextualize the news and stories we hear – helping to light a pathway to intellectual freedom. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25300389

Justice Isn’t a Transaction 12/07/2022

Justice Isn’t a Transaction Can we take the polarization out of … politics? Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride (a Democrat) and Representative Bryan Shupe (a Republican) say their philosophical differences don’t stop them from working together on effective public policies that strengthen our communities. We’ll talk about the role of both social media and legacy media in encouraging partisan divides, and the dangers of thinking too selectively when it comes to justice and social change. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25224729

Can Curiosity Save Us? 11/30/2022

Can Curiosity Save Us? Author and journalist Mónica Guzmán joins us to talk about the power of curiosity, and the conversations with her conservative parents which led her to write her book “I Never Thought of it That Way.” We’ll talk about the do’s and don’ts for respectful, productive conversations with people we know we disagree with, and learn about Braver Angels, the nation's largest grassroots organization working to depolarize America. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25152831

Building Opportunity in Delaware - Season 4: Overcoming Polarization Trailer 11/23/2022

Building Opportunity in Delaware - Season 4: Overcoming Polarization Trailer Season Four of Building Opportunity in Delaware is coming next week! This season we’re speaking with leaders in healthcare, politics, religion, education, and more, all about one thing: Polarization, how it’s impacting us, and what we can do to reduce division and build stronger communities. Season Four of Building Opportunity in Delaware begins November 30. /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/25111071

A Seat at the Table: How Equity for Nonprofits Starts in the Boardroom 11/29/2021

A Seat at the Table: How Equity for Nonprofits Starts in the Boardroom Cynthia Primo Martin retired from her role as the founder and executive director of Trustees of Color in 2019, but she didn’t retire from the work. Now, she’s back with a book, the “Handbook for Nonprofit Leadership: Recruiting, Training and Engaging Trustees of Color.” /episode/index/show/buildingopportunity/id/21207212

How to (Not) Kill Your Community

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