Epicenter NYC

At the pandemic’s peak, thousands of New Yorkers got help from local food pantries. You probably remember seeing photos of hundreds of our neighbors standing in line with empty carts and bags. But now, two years later, the situation isn’t all that different. While the photos may be less frequent, it doesn’t mean the lines are any shorter. And beyond that, food pantries are struggling to help the many New Yorkers in need amid rising food prices. Some have even been forced to turn people away. Today we talk to Thomas Neve, the founder of Reaching Out Community Services, and Mary Holzman-Tweed, a volunteer at the Astoria Food Pantry — about how they are dealing with rising food prices and supply issues, and how New Yorkers can help their neighbors in need. Read more: Out Community Services: Food Pantry: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In mid-June, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 6 months to 5 years old. In New York City, the vaccines will become available as early as the start of next week. But while some parents have been counting the days, others have questions: What if my child already had COVID-19? How effective is the vaccine for kids versus adults? And what about additional doses? In this episode Epicenter NYC’s Mitra Kalita talks to Dr. Mark Horowitz, a family doctor in Lower Manhattan, about what parents should consider when making the decision to vaccinate their children.  Vaccine Help: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On May 14th a racially motivated shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York claimed 10 lives. At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting of 2022.  Just 10 days later 21 individuals were killed in a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. 19 of those victims were 11 years old or younger. There have been more than 250 mass shootings in the United States this year… and it’s only June. By now, we know that when an event like this happens, it’s not just direct family members who are affected, it’s entire communities. So how can we effectively grieve together and help our neighbors who are struggling with loss? In this episode we talk to Jill Cohen, a New York City based grief counselor, about how individuals and communities alike can deal with grief after a traumatic event. There’s a layered approach to dealing with grief: Cohen's book recommendations: Based Counselors: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While many of us have started to get more comfortable with the idea of gatherings, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic. Every day there are thousands of new COVID-19 cases in New York City. The juxtaposition of a summer filled with opportunities to finally see loved ones and the seriousness of the ongoing pandemic is confusing. The excitement is often paired with intense feelings of anxiety over what could go wrong.  Epicenter’s Mitra Kalita and Daniel Laplaza recently hosted their own events – a graduation party and a wedding. In this episode theytalk about what helped them deal with the stress leading up to the big day and what they wish they had done differently. Vaccine Help: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York City has always been known as one of the world’s fashion capitals. The fashion scene employs nearly 180,000 workers here including models, hair stylists and makeup artists. But while the industry generates nearly $11 billion in wages, it’s still one of the most unregulated and exploitative in the world. A new bill, the Fashion Workers Act, wants to change that.  The Fashion Workers act was brought forth by The Model Alliance, Senator Brad Hoylman and Assemblymember Karines Reyes. With it, they hope to increase regulation and protections for models and creatives alike. Today we talk to Sydney Giordano, the associate director of the Model Alliance, and Senator Brad Hoylman about what this bill means for the industry. New York is the center of fashion, but its workers lack basic rights: Alliance: about it: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From keeping employees and customers safe and healthy, adjusting to fast-changing COVID restrictions, and dealing with supply chain and hiring issues — owning a small business hasn’t been easy. We spoke to several small business owners across New York City about their experiences finding success during this unique and difficult time.  A premium loose leaf teas & herbs store, a Burmese restaurant, a sneaker shop that specializes in hard to find styles, and a Filipino restaurant. Aside from preserving despite challenges brought on by the pandemic, all of these businesses have another thing in common. They are all AAPI owned.  Become a member (and join our Queens Night Market tour!): Bites: Rotunda: Organic Garden: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On May 2nd, a draft opinion was leaked from the Supreme Court. The public soon discovered that the Court had voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, 1973 decision that established a woman's constitutional right to an abortion. Immediately, protests broke across the country. Many argued that this decision could set the U.S. back more than 50 years, to a time when women who were in need of an abortion were forced to get one illegally in unsafe conditions. In this episode we talk to Judith Vivell, a local artist, about what it was like for women seeking abortions before the Roe v. Wade decision. We also speak with assembly member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas who introduced New York's Reproductive Freedom and Equity bill. Finally, Emily Miles, the Executive Director of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, discusses her concerns for those they serve.  Read more: your assembly member: your senator: Bill A10148: York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault: 8 more free at-home COVID tests: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since 1993 Queens Theatre has produced programs that celebrate the diversity of the borough. And starting this Friday, May 13th, they’re hosting two weekends of performances and events in the first-ever Forward Festival of the Arts. The festival will highlight the artistry of deaf individuals and other performers with disabilities. In this episode we talk to Queens Theatre's Executive Director Taryn Sacramone about how they’ve worked to make the experience accessible to more of our neighbors and why representation of artists with disabilities on stage is so important. We also hear from one of the key organizers of the Forward Festival of the Arts, Gregg Mozgala. Gregg is a New York City based actor, artistic director, and arts administrator.  Festival schedule/tickets: Theatre: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In September of 2021 we set up our first vaccine pop-up in Queens Village, one of the least vaccinated zip codes in the borough. By the end of day one, more than 60 people had been vaccinated.  But eventually we saw what the rest of New York City was seeing - fewer and fewer people looking for a shot. And even though 75% of our neighbors received their initial doses, less than 40% percent have gotten their booster. Now, we’re seeing a new wave of COVID-19 cases, so does this coincide with a spike in vaccinations? In this episode Epicenter-NYC reporter Danille Hyams talks to Adriana Proano about the recent rise in cases, whether or not the city is prepared to provide testing for all who need it, and why incentives are a great way to get more of our neighbors protected. Adriana is the site supervisor for Epicenter-NYC in Queens Village.  Vaccine Help: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March, Mayor Eric Adams announced his plan to rid the city of homeless encampments. But while Adams has pledged to provide housing, many homeless individuals don’t want to stay in a shelter. Between horrible living conditions, strict rules, and very little privacy, some feel it’s even worse than living on the streets.  In fact, out of the 239 encampments cleared at the end of March, only five people moved to shelters. This is why the mayor has favored what’s known as a Safe Haven. A Safe Haven is considered a “low threshold” shelter, which means it has less rules, more privacy, and oftentimes, mental health and substance abuse services.  In this episode we talk to Shams DaBaron. Shams, also known as “Da Homeless Hero” is a local advocate. He remembers what it was like to be homeless and living in a shelter in New York City. Follow "Da Homeless Hero" on Twitter: New Yorkers oppose sweeps – and shelters: Eviction Defense: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queens-based artist Liz Phillips has been creating interactive multimedia installations for 50 years. She combines audio and visuals with new technologies to create experiences that are unique for each visitor. Her work has been on display at top art museums around the world including The Whitney Museum of American Art and Lincoln Center. She’s also exhibited installations at festivals, alternative spaces, and even public spaces. In this episode Liz talks to Epicenter’s co-founder and creative director, Nitin Mukul, about what led her to create sound installations before the category even existed, how she uses sound to help people tune into natural landscapes, and what the future of sound art looks like. Liz Phillips website & "Relative Fields in a VR Garden":  our growing network of artists: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On February 24th Putin announced a quote unquote “special” operation to de-militarise Ukraine. Just moments later the assault began through airstrikes and missiles. And soon after, came a large ground invasion. That same day Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted martial law. Now, 48 days later, the war wages on. Millions have fled seeking safe haven abroad, including journalist and mother, Yana Miroshnychenko. Yana and her 5 year old son traveled from Kyiv to Brooklyn after their home was shelled and robbed. Her husband, Igor Miroshnychenko, is a sports journalist-turned politician who remains in the country along with their other family members. In this episodeYana talks about what that first night of war was like and her experience leaving the country, her husband, and family behind - all while six months pregnant. Donate clothing etc. as Miroshnychenko gets ready for a new baby!: list of resources: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last summer, thanks to a grant from the Knight Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund, we spoke to award winning actor April Matthis about how she coped with the changes brought on by COVID-19 and what she thinks the future of theater in New York City looks like. Now, Nearly a year later, a lot has changed. For starters, April is back on the stage, currently starring in “Help” a The Shed.  “Help” is a new play by author and poet Claudia Rankine. The work follows a Black woman who moves in spaces where she frequently encounters white people. April explains that the play turns the lens on race toward white people instead of pathologizing Blackness. In this episode Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita talks to April about “Help”, what it’s like working in an all-white cast, and how she feels about performing in person while COVID restrictions across the city begin to lift. April Matthis: at The Shed: Local News Transformation Fund announces support for URL Media: Media: membership: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throughout the pandemic many of our neighbors struggled to make ends meet for the first time in their lives. And oftentimes it was New York City’s human services workers - employed by nonprofits - who were the ones to step up and help. But for all they do, nonprofit workers are notoriously underpaid. In fact, a recent study showed that in New York City wages are so low that around 15% of non-profit employees qualify for food stamps. Enter the #JustPay Campaign. They’re working hard to create a comprehensive wage schedule for government-contracted human services workers. In this episode we hear from Na’ilah Amaru, the director of policy and campaigns for the Human Services Council of New York, about how we need to push elected officials to end government-sanctioned poverty wages for nonprofit workers. Nonprofit workers helped NYC get through the pandemic. Now they want better pay: #JustPay:  your representative:  an Epicenter-NYC member:  Questions: Daniel@Epicenter-NYC.com Our intro music:  omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year 16 men died in the Rikers Island Jail Complex. Among them was Stephan Khadu. He was just 24 years old.  Stephan was sent to Rikers to await trial. His mom, Lezandre, had major concerns about the conditions. And in the summer of 2021 she learned that her son came close to death. For the next few months he continued to struggle with his health… and officers frequently failed to get him the medical help he needed.  Then, in September, Lezandre got the call that would change her life. In this episode she shares the story of her son. 16 men died in Rikers last year. Here is one of their stories: DATA BEHIND JAIL DEATHS IN AMERICA: rallies against proposed “mega jail”: an Epicenter-NYC member: Questions: Daniel@Epicenter-NYC.com Mask survey: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In spring 2017, then Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that he’d be closing Rikers Island Jail - a deteriorating facility that’s overcrowded, understaffed, and plagued by violence.  Four new neighborhood facilities will be constructed in its place. The Manhattan facility is set to be built right in the heart of Chinatown, and it’ll be the tallest jail in the world–stretching 40 stories high. They’re calling it a Megajail. But Chinatown residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the plan. Norina Li is one of those concerned residents. For more than three decades, her parents have run K.K. Discount, a small store that sells home goods and Asian decor. It’s just a block away from the site where the jail is set to be constructed.  In this episode we talk to Norina about the Megajail, and what she thinks might happen to Chinatown if no one puts a stop to it. We also hear from Victoria Lee, the co-founder of Welcome to Chinatown. Chinatown rallies against proposed “mega jail”: the Atlanta spa shootings - To be Asian and Atlantan right now: an Epicenter-NYC member: Questions: Daniel@Epicenter-NYC.com COVID-19 international travel restrictions: intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York’s restaurants were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay-at-home orders and capacity limits forced restaurants to adopt a business model entirely based on take-out and delivery. For most, the switch significantly reduced revenue and we began to see restaurants close their doors for good.  So the city decided to take action–starting the Open Restaurants Program. The program encouraged establishments to set up outdoor dining. It turned out to be a lifeline for restaurants. Today a conversation with two restaurateurs–Dana Morrisey, and Alfredo Anguiera–both of whose businesses were saved by New York’s Open Restaurants program.  And later, we speak with an Upper East Side resident named Debbi who explains that if outdoor dining remains in NYC, she might not be able to.  Permanent outdoor dining serves up opposing voices: an Epicenter-NYC member: Questions: Daniel@Epicenter-NYC.com Our intro music: omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Friday, President Joe Biden officially nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for a seat on the United States Supreme Court. And at that moment history was made. Jackson is now the first Black woman to ever receive this nomination, and if confirmed, will be the first Black woman to serve in our country’s highest court. In this episode Anita Hill, a professor at Brandeis University, speaks to WURD Radio CEO and URL Media co-Founder, Sara Lomax-Reese, about her own story and the significance of Jackson’s nomination. She also discusses the op-ed she wrote exclusively for URL Media about what it means for a Black woman to be on the United States Supreme Court. Anita Hill's op-ed for URL Media: Media: an Epicenter-NYC member: Questions: Daniel@Epicenter-NYC.com Our intro music:  episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture:  omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

OlaRonke Akinmowo is the founder of the Free Black Women’s Library. What started back in 2015 on a brownstone stoop in Bed-Stuy has turned into something much bigger. She now hosts monthly pop ups across New York City featuring over 4,000 books written by Black women and Black non-binary authors. And OlaRonke encourages the community to do much more than read books. From hosting self defense workshops to discussions on Black feminism - her goal is to build this community. In this episode she talks about what inspired her to start the Free Black Women’s library and what’s in store for the future. Support the Free Black Women’s Library: more about the Free Black Women's Library: Vaccine Registration Request form: an Epicenter-NYC member: intro music:  episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture:  omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To say that Maurice and Gregory Hines could dance before they could walk wouldn’t be that much of an overstatement. The brothers were famous tap dancers from Harlem, who found their stride during New York’s golden era of dance. Maurice started training in Manhattan when he was five years old. The brothers would both go on to pursue incredibly successful careers. Maurice found his place on Broadway– as a performer and a director. He also became the first African American to direct at Radio City Music hall.  Today we speak with John Carlcuccio about Maurice Hines’ extraordinary seven-decade career, his legacy and relevance today. The brilliance of Maurice Hines shines through in film: Vaccine Registration Request form: an Epicenter-NYC member: intro music:  episode was brought to you by McKinsey & Company. The Shortlist is McKinsey's weekly curated sampling of need to know stories about work, the economy, and culture:  omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.