Making It Here

New Yorkers walking down the street are likely unaware that they are being surveilled. It’s part of the trade-off that we’ve made as a society – a persistent monitoring in exchange for a sense of security and convenience.

The NYPD has a small arsenal of powerful surveillance tools, tools that, until the City Council passed the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act in 2020, it could purchase and deploy in total secrecy. And while these technologies might help the police more quickly identify suspects of violent crimes, they’re a double-edged sword.

In this episode we talk to politics journalist Felipe De La Hoz about what he found during his reporting on this story. 

Felipe's full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-rise-of-surveillance-in-new-york-city/

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.

Queens has long been the home of prominent jazz musicians, like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. And Flushing Town Hall, which is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate dedicated to presenting global arts programming, is making sure New Yorkers remember these legends by hosting monthly jazz jams.

The series has been promoting jazz in Queens for decades and this month the public is invited to the 2nd annual Jazz Jam All-Stars Concert. Jazz Jam is a gathering of musicians whose sole purpose is to jam out together; age and skill level don’t matter.

We hear from a few of our neighbors who are participating including musicians Ezra Kessler, Mimi Block, and band leader Carol Sudhalter. 

Flushing Town Hall keeps jazz alive: https://epicenter-nyc.com/flushing-town-hall-keeps-jazz-alive/

Tickets: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/jazz-jam-all-stars-2022

Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/user/FlushingTownHall

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.

Unless you grew up in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you probably have no idea of the challenges involved in getting into public high school. For many students, the process begins years in advance. And not unlike applying to college, kids and families consider a variety of schools. Some of those schools require an exam, while others require an interview or portfolio. This complicated process has left the most disadvantaged students behind. 

That’s why, just before leaving office, former mayor Bill de Blasio passed legislation to change the application process with the goal of making top schools like these more accessible.

In this episode Epicenter’s Mitra Kalita speaks with Natasha Warikoo about her new book titled “Race at the Top: Asian Americans and Whites in Pursuit of the American Dream in Suburban Schools”. The book explores competition in suburban high schools with growing numbers of Asian Americans. 

Natasha Warikoo: https://natashawarikoo.com/

Sign up for The Unmuted: https://trypico.com/theunmuted

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.

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: https://epicenter-nyc.com/new-york-city-food-banks-struggle-meet-rising-demand/

Reaching Out Community Services: https://rcsprograms.org/

Astoria Food Pantry: https://www.astoriafoodpantry.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.

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: https://epicenter-nyc.com/vaccine-help/

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 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: https://epicenter-nyc.com/theres-a-layered-approach-to-deal-with-grief/

Jill Cohen's book recommendations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7RUDjd4JzALA-nW8vzMpfy2G9_yM4n0/view

NYC Based Counselors: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ny/new-york?category=grief

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.

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 they talk about what helped them deal with the stress leading up to the big day and what they wish they had done differently.

Vaccine Help: https://epicenter-nyc.com/vaccine-help/

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 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: https://epicenter-nyc.com/new-york-is-the-center-of-fashion-but-its-workers-lack-basic-rights/

Model Alliance: https://www.modelalliance.org/

Petition: https://www.modelalliance.org/fashionworkersact

Post about it: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1QhUsIP6Z7zbrjXS6UDhu1RU4Y32b89sZ

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

See 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!): https://epicenter-nyc.com/become-a-member/

Burmese Bites: https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight-burmese-bites/

Chick'n Rotunda: https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight-chickn-rotunda/

Sun's Organic Garden: https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight-chinatowns-suns-organic-garden-brews-up-unique-teas/

.IMAGE: https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight-image-queens-first-sneaker-consignment-shop-puts-best-foot-forward/

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

See 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: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-stark-difference-between-two-abortions-before-and-after-roe-v-wade/

Find your assembly member: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/search/

Find your senator: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator

Assembly Bill A10148: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a10148

New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault: https://www.svfreenyc.org/

Order 8 more free at-home COVID tests: https://special.usps.com/testkits

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.