Making It Here

For years, parents and kids across New York City have been going to Drag Story Hours. Its goal is to provide a safe space to promote reading, inclusion, and diversity. But as the events have become a target for hate, supporters have another goal… to ensure Drag Story Hours continues to exist. We want to start with the basics. What exactly is a Drag Story Hour? And why are kids and parents across the city packing rooms to participate?

Listen to Part II: https://omny.fm/shows/epicenter-nyc/how-new-york-city-fights-the-proud-boys-by-being-p?in_playlist=podcast 

Drag Story Hour NYC: https://www.dshnyc.org/ 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In June of this year, the Supreme Court is expected to roll back affirmative action. Among those taking a stand is Lee Bollinger. Bollinger is the current president of Columbia University and throughout his career he’s fought for the use of racial preferences to promote diversity – perhaps most notably with his role in Grutter v. Bollinger, a 2003 Supreme Court decision that’s at risk of being overturned. Today, Bollinger continues to push for race-based admissions with his new book “A Legacy of Discrimination: The Essential Constitutionality of Affirmative Action”, co-authored with Geoffrey Stone. In this episode Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita talks to Bollinger about the book and what he sees as the biggest challenges ahead.

A Legacy of Discrimination: The Essential Constitutionality of Affirmative Action:
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/a-legacy-of-discrimination-9780197685747?cc=us&lang=en&

Lee Bollinger’s Last-Ditch Case to Save Affirmative Action:
https://time.com/charter/6270379/lee-bollingers-last-ditch-case-to-save-affirmative-action/

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022 the first legal purchase of recreational cannabis in New York City was made at a dispensary in Greenwich Village. Since then only a few more recreational dispensaries have opened. The lag has prompted tons of unlicensed and unregulated sellers to fill the gaps. Now, officials are cracking down on these sellers. Why? The mairjuana they sell is untaxed, unregulated, and they could hinder the success of licensed businesses. In this episode we hear from reporter Felipe De La Hoz about how this year will set the tone for the New York cannabis industry going forward.

NY’s marijuana regulations fall short:https://epicenter-nyc.com/nys-marijuana-regulations-fall-short/ 

Freelance Health Reporter:https://epicenter-nyc.com/freelance-health-reporter/

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Van and Sumit Sharma returned home to live with family at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their parents run one of the oldest Indian restaurants in Maine, so home meant helping out with the family business. That work led them to a new venture - an Indian beer brand called Rupee. Now, they're on a mission to bring Indian beer to a wider audience. In this episode Epicenter-NYC Editorial Manager, Danielle Hyams, talks to Van, who now lives in New York, about why they decided to launch Rupee and what’s next.

Find Rupee: https://www.rupeebeer.com/  

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Located in Washington Heights and Inwood, People’s Theatre Project, or PTP, makes theater with and for immigrant communities. Over the past 14 years PTP has become Manhattan’s largest performing arts organization north of Harlem. PTP’s newest play is called “The Diamond” and it premieres on April 12th.

In this episode we hear from PTP Founding Executive Director Mino Lora, “The Diamond” playwright Christin Eve Cato, and Actor Vida Tayebati.

People's Theatre Project: https://peoplestheatreproject.org/ 

The Diamond (tickets): https://peoplestheatreproject.org/thediamond/ 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Construction, electrical, and carpentry are just a few of the most male-dominated industries in the country. But there are still a lot of barriers. So as Women’s History Month comes to a close, we asked two female union workers about their experiences working in a male-dominated industry, misconceptions about unions and more. 

The female faces of organized labor: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-female-faces-of-organized-labor/

The women of hip hop who inspire New Yorkers: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-women-of-hip-hop-that-inspire-new-yorkers/

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting today, March 22nd, Muslims across the world will celebrate Ramadan. Non-Muslims often associate the holiday with fasting since those who observe it refrain from any food or drinks between sunrise and sunset. But it’s much more than that. 

In this episode we learn from Imam Fadhel Alahlani of the Imam-Al Khoei Islamic Center of New York and Mirum Zafar, the senior community outreach and enrollment coordinator at the Arab-American Family Support Center.

More than a fast: What Ramadan truly means: https://epicenter-nyc.com/more-than-a-fast-what-ramadan-truly-means/ 

AAFSC: https://www.aafscny.org/donate/ 

Imam-Al Khoei Islamic Center of New York: https://www.al-khoei.org/ 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Big Apple” is New York City’s most popular nickname. But where does it come from? In this episode Epicenter Editorial Director, Danielle Hyams, talks to writer and artist, Regi Taylor, about his work uncovering the history of the term. Regi has spent years researching its origins and the crucial role that Harlem played – not just in creating it, but in popularizing it. Now, he wants to get Black New Yorkers the recognition they deserve.

Ever wonder how New York City got universally dubbed “The Big Apple?”: https://epicenter-nyc.com/ever-wonder-how-new-york-city-got-universally-dubbed-the-big-apple/ 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many formerly convicted New Yorkers, housing is a key part of re-entering society, but it's also one of the hardest things to secure. The Fair Chance Act aims to change that by making it an unlawful discriminatory practice for housing providers to do criminal background checks, or inquire about arrest or conviction records.

Today we hear from two formerly incarcerated New Yorkers about their experiences getting housing and what a fair chance would mean to them.

This episode focuses on the experiences of our neighbors post-incarceration, on who they are now. Remember, a person should never be reduced to the worst thing they may have done.

Learn more about The Fair Chance Act: https://www.fairchancehousing.org/faqs 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=epicenternyc&campaign=7018a000000yJx6AA 

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hillstone, a longtime Midtown staple, abruptly closed on Sunday, January 16th. Staff was informed that same morning. So how did a beloved national chain with an impeccable reputation end up closing with absolutely no notice to its longtime workers? In this episode Epicenter writer Hari Adivarekar talks to former Hillstone bartender, Salvador Robledo, about what it was like to find out that his job of 22 years wouldn’t exist anymore.

Workers left in the lurch as Hillstone shutters its Midtown branch: https://epicenter-nyc.com/workers-left-in-the-lurch-as-hillstone-shutters-its-midtown-branch/ 

Job search & resume classes: https://www.nypl.org/help/getting-oriented/for-job-seekers/programs 

Epicenter-NYC membership: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-case-for-epicenter-membership-one-auntie-to-another/

Our intro music: http://karavikamusic.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.