Making It Here

Many of our neighbors have family members and friends who are currently living in Pakistan. In fact, New York City is home to more Pakistanis than any other city in the country. And while it’s already difficult to be far from your loved ones, this summer made that distance more painful than ever. 

By now, over 30 million people have been affected by the monsoon, which began in June of 2022. More than one-third of Pakistan is under water. And while the flooding has largely dropped from the newscycle, the need for help has only grown.

In this episode we hear from Mohammad Saif Ullah, the owner of Dera, a Pakistani restaurant in Jackson Heights, and Kanwar Ahmed of the Pakistan American Youth Organization.

Dera Restaurant: https://www.facebook.com/DeraRestaurantIncJacksonHieghts/

PAYO: https://payousa.org/aboutas/

Roshan Flood Relief Committee: https://www.roshantravel.com.pk/roshan-relief-foundation/

NYPD Muslim Society: https://z-upload.facebook.com/NYPDMuslim/posts/2593681820764160

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

Sign up for Monkeypox text message updates: https://joinsubtext.com/epicenter-nyc

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.

New York City is home to some of the top ballet companies in the world. But even the city’s most popular productions like “The Nutcracker” are steeped in racial stereotypes. Now, dancers, choreographers, journalists, and activists alike are working together to challenge offensive roles and push a centuries-old art form into the modern era. The documentary titled “Beyond Yellowface” will explore this issue. The film follows two NYC dancers of Asian descent and co-founders of the Final Bow for Yellowface movement.
 
In this episode we speak to dancer, choreographer and activist Phil Chan, as well as “Beyond Yellowface” Director and Producer, Jennifer Lin.

Contribute to "Beyond Yellowface": https://www.beyondyellowface.com/

Follow them on social media: https://www.instagram.com/beyondyellowface/, https://www.facebook.com/BeyondYellowface/, https://twitter.com/yellowface_film

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

Vaccine Intake Form: https://airtable.com/shrcyXdRya5zPelKx

Contact us for help: [email protected] or (917) 818-2690

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.

Throughout the pandemic we’ve witnessed a surge in food insecurity and long lines at pantries across the city. At the same time pantries have struggled to keep up with the demand, and in some cases, have been forced to turn people away.That includes the few pantries that supply Halal food. And as Halal food pantries fail to get the support they need to continue operating like they used to, our neighbors in need are finding it particularly difficult to secure food they can eat.

In this episode we speak to Hanna Sheikh, Maia Dillane, and Adriana Curto at the Arab-American Family Support Center. We also speak to Ishaq Alpar, the Director of Support Services at ICNA Relief.

Arab-American Family Support Center: https://www.aafscny.org/

ICNA Relief: https://icnarelief.org/

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

Vaccine Intake Form: https://airtable.com/shrcyXdRya5zPelKx

Contact us for help:  [email protected] or (917) 818-2690

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.

Not everyone can say they had a first job like Abou Sow. At 11 years old, he began working at his uncle’s slaughterhouse in Jamaica, Queens. It was there he learned how to slaughter animals according to halal standards.

The 26 year old has now opened up his own butcher shop called Prince Abou’s Butchery. But Prince Abou’s Butchery wasn’t always a brick and mortar shop. Sow began the business in a classically millennial way: selling his products through Instagram. Beginning In January 2020, people would order fresh meat via Instagram DM and Sow would deliver. Then, in August 2021, he signed a lease and one year later opened his own space. 

Prince Abou’s Butchery is a cut above the rest:
https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight-prince-abous-butchery-is-a-cut-above-the-rest/

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

NYC Vaccine Finder: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/

Contact us for help:  [email protected] or (917) 818-2690

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.

Summer is coming to an end and students are getting ready to head back into the classrooms once again. But this year will start out differently. Covid precautions like masks, in-school PCR surveillance testing, and daily health screeners are no longer required. To many New Yorkers, it seems like things are back to normal. But are they really? In this episode Epicenter’s Mitra Kalita speaks with NPR education reporter, Anya Kamenetz, about her new book “The Stolen Year”. “The Stolen Year” examines how Covid changed children’s lives, and where we go from here.

Buy "The Stolen Year": www.anyakamenetz.net/

Sign up for The Unmuted: https://pico.link/theunmuted/login/enter-email?id=LoginWizard_theunmuted

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene:
https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/monkeypox.page

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.

In early 2021 Covid-19 vaccines had finally reached New York CIty. But later, as vaccine mandates came into play, the debate on whether to vaccinate became increasingly polarizing. Still, there wasn’t enough being done to help people understand the range of perspectives.

The creators of “Bring it to the People” wanted to change that. “Bring it to the People” is a documentary that underscores the complex issues that are preventing vaccination such as historical medical mistreatment, stigma, health literacy, and much more. And like we do at Epicenter, the film dives into communities within New York City that are underrepresented in the media.

Today we speak with with Director Luis Palomino Benítez, and Producer Dr. Harlem Gunness.

Stream "Bring it to the People": https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-debut-documentary-bring-it-to-the-people-tickets-401309496507

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7rUgQ2hLQ4

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.

This week, New York City voters can participate in the second round of primary elections. Typically, there’s only one primary that happens in late June, but this year is different. In April, a New York appeals court ruled that the new congressional district lines were drawn with partisan intent. The decision prompted a redrawing of the maps. That pushed primaries for Congress and State Senate to August. 

Voter turnout in New York City primary elections is normally very low, and the June 28th election was no exception. But now, with added confusion, experts worry that turnout for the second primary will be even worse.

In this episode we're joined by to Ali Najmi, a leading election law attorney in New York on why it's so important to get to the polls.

Find out where to vote: voterlookup.elections.ny.gov/

Ali Najmi: https://www.najmilaw.com/

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.

On May 20th New York City confirmed its first case of monkeypox. And by the end of July the virus had spread enough that the city declared a public health emergency. 

The good news is there’s a monkeypox vaccine. But can the city distribute fast enough and fairly?

In this episode Epicenter’s Editorial Director, Danielle Hyams, talks to journalist Katherine Tam. Katherine has been working hard to make monkeypox vaccine appointments for those in need. 

"Monkeypox Info. & Appt. Help" Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mpxvax

Request an appointment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyCED9N2SrOUufA9hfVs3qB688_BLopKdnlw0sfUGZwl3n9w/viewform?fbzx=911391871896330485

Epicenter-NYC monkeypox update: https://epicenter-nyc.com/monkeypox-update/

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.

Since the start of the pandemic we’ve witnessed food insecurity become increasingly prevalent across New York City. Over the past few months alone we’ve reported on rising food prices, struggling soup kitchens, and food pantries that are so overwhelmed they’re turning people away for the first time ever. And just like the devastating effects of Covid-19, seniors in our community are some of the most vulnerable. 

In this episode we hear from three community leaders, Zani Simmons, Mary Archana Fernandez and Helen Ahn, about the challenges seniors have been facing while trying to access food.

South Asian Council for Social Services: https://www.sacssny.org/

QCH, Pomonok Community Center Food Pantry: https://www.qchnyc.org/

Korean Community Center: https://kcsny.org/

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.

The New York City Housing Authority, or NYCHA, provides public housing across New York City. Today, more than 500,000 people live in NYCHA's public housing developments. And while these apartments may be less expensive than other housing options in New York City, residents argue that living conditions are poor, and repairs are often slow or non-existent.
 
Some say the solution to these problems is privatization. So in 2016 NYCHA began leasing their apartments to private companies in exchange for funding as a part of their Permanent Affordability Commitment Together, or “PACT” program. And last month, Governor Kathy Hochul took another step towards privatization when she signed new legislation establishing the NYC Public Housing Preservation Trust.  But NYCHA residents are concerned. Will these changes lead to evictions and less accountability?
 
In this episode we talk to Epicenter Intern Angelina Nelson who has been a NYCHA resident for 20 years. On July 14th she joined her neighbors to protest the privatization of their homes.

The United Front Against Displacement: https://theunitedfrontagainstdisplacement.org/

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.