These innovative thinkers in West Philly are using localized technology to benefit community members.

The online platform used at the Mitzvah Food Program's food pantry was built with tools to help encourage healthy eating and easy adherence to dietary or religious preferences, says Brian Gralnick.

Drones and surveillance cameras can be an innovative resource, say some of those interviewed for this story. But others have privacy concerns and feel harms experienced by the community need to be addressed first.

With TikTok, it’s impossible to separate the individual from the meme, says Penn State professor Kevin Munger.

CARE’s community-based financial solutions drive social equity and gender justice.

In and around the Hunting Park neighborhood, Latinx nonprofits use tech to build community and to keep people engaged.

Innovators tend to have a set of skills that allows them to better navigate uncertainty, abilities that can be learned and practiced, says guest columnist Todd Saxton.

"This is a great way to keep singing through the pandemic. Nothing beats being onstage for a chorale singer, but this is a way that we can continue to collaborate, express ourselves and do things musically," says Dr. Youngmoo Kim.

The answer is yes, but not without challenges. African immigrants in the Paschall-Kingsessing neighborhood are doing it all via their mobile phone screens.

This NJ start-up raises money for charitable organizations via ad revenue and in-app purchases users accumulate by playing mobile games.