Making It Here

Today we hear from Zach Williams, the director of Los Sures Comida Food Pantry in South Williamsburg. Throughout the pandemic they've seen a surge in visitors. They made it their mission to learn as much as they could about their visitors, in hopes of amplifying their stories.

Ultimately, the Los Sures Comida team helped turn these stories into an art exhibit. It’s called “Sobre/vivir: Superando La Pandemia en Los Sures”

We also hear from Christine Sroka who has been working with the pantry for over three years and is an artist herself.

Sobre/Vivir will be on display through July 31. The Museo de Los Sures is open to the public Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 8 p.m. at 120 South 1st St. in Brooklyn.

Los Sures Food Pantry: southsideunitedhdfc.org/about-us/our-work/

Epicenter-NYC's story on team behind Los Sures Food Pantry: https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-mayor-shakespeare-in-the-park-sobrevivir-in-williamsburg/

Check out Epicenter-NYC's featured artists: https://epicenter-nyc.com/category/artists/

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

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 22nd New York City’s primary election took place. It was also the first time the city used a rank choice voting system. And because of term limits, 35 out of 51 city council seats are up for grabs.

In this episode Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita speaks to two experts on the major takeaways of this season's primary.

Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, a former City Council Member for the 21st district.

And also Ali Najmi, a lawyer who was previously the Legislative Director to a New York City Council Member. 

You'll also hear from politics journalist Felipe De La Hoz.

Felipe De La Hoz on NYC election takeaways: https://epicenter-nyc.com/nyc-election-takeaways-history-was-made-haitian-presidents-and-poetry/

Felipe De La Hoz: https://www.felipedlh.com/

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

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past year and a half people across the city were confronted with the reality that while so many had so much, others were facing difficult and often horrifying circumstances. In this episode Gary Bagley of New York Cares and S. Mitra Kalita of Epicenter NYC talk about volunteerism, including the uncomfortable parts. 

We're also excited to officially introduce Epicenter's Andrea Pineda-Salgado as a new host of our podcast!

New York Cares: https://www.newyorkcares.org/

Gary Bagley: https://twitter.com/gbagley_nycares?lang=en

Andrea Pineda-Salgado's documentary 'Surviving Corona: The Street Vendors Caught in the Middle of The Virus and The Neighborhood’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVdJKZjpq5E&t=1107s

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

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we're joined by Sean Berthiaume, a co-owner of Vinnie’s Pizzeria in Williamsburg. You may know Vinnie’s even if you’ve never grabbed a slice. It’s the pizza joint with the viral trash can that has Tom Hanks on it. While creativity was always part of their DNA, the pandemic pushed Sean and his co-owners in new directions to keep their business alive.

We also hear from Zheni, who lost her job at the start of the pandemic and became a street vendor in the neighborhood of Corona in Queens. Many with no papers or work permits turned to street vending just as she had as a way to survive.

A year in the pandemic life of a NYC pizza parlour: https://epicenter-nyc.com/a-year-in-the-pandemic-life-of-a-nyc-pizza-parlour/

Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund announces support for URL Media: https://www.lenfestinstitute.org/diverse-growing-audiences/pursing-accountability-while-recognizing-humanity-knight-lenfest-local-news-transformation-fund-announces-support-for-url-media/

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

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omny.fm/listener for privacy information.

In March of 2020 Broadway theaters closed their doors. Artists and performers were forced to adapt to an entirely new way of connecting with audiences. All in the midst of a global pandemic.

Epicenter NYC publisher Mitra Kalita talks 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. 

Also, novelist, screenwriter, and TV show runner, Eric Garcia on a year without live performances.

April Matthis: https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/april-matthis/profile/

https://twitter.com/april_matthis?s=20

Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund announces support for URL Media: https://www.lenfestinstitute.org/diverse-growing-audiences/pursing-accountability-while-recognizing-humanity-knight-lenfest-local-news-transformation-fund-announces-support-for-url-media/

URL Media: https://url-media.com/

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

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early voting began this past weekend, and the primary is coming up on June 22nd. This is the first time New York City will be using a rank-choice system. Today - A primer on how to navigate ranked-choice voting with journalist Felipe De La Hoz.

We've also asked a handful of voters around NYC about their thoughts on the new rank choice voting system.

 Our story on rank choice voting: https://epicenter-nyc.com/ranked-choice-voting-explained-queer-love-potterheads-rejoice/

Felipe De La Hoz: https://www.felipedlh.com/

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

This 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: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/the-shortlist

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Open Streets program in NYC started just over a year ago. The program has since grown to nearly 70 miles of city streets. Even though it began as a direct response to the pandemic restrictions, it seems like it’s here to stay. So, what are advocacy groups saying about the new legislation that passed? And what needs to happen in order to make the program sustainable for every community?

Also, critically acclaimed author Radha Vatsal tells us her New York story. Her essays and stories have appeared in The Atlantic, The LA Review of Books, The Smithsonian Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, CrimeReads and The Brooklyn Rail.

Our full stories on open streets:

https://epicenter-nyc.com/rent-relief-the-fight-over-70-miles-of-open-streets-unmasking/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/open-streets-are-here-to-stay-free-drive-ins-feminist-futures/

Transportation Alternatives: https://www.transalt.org/

Loisaida Open Streets Community Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/loisaida.oscc/

More on Radha Vatsal: https://www.radhavatsal.com/

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epicenter reporter Andrea Pineda-Salgado joins us to share the story of an Ecuadorian father, grandfather, lawyer, and business owner who now lives in New York City and sells face masks on the corner of Junction Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue.

We'll also hear from Mazin Sidahmed, the co-executive director of Documented, a non-profit news site devoted to covering New York City’s immigrants and the policies that affect their lives. He’s previously worked for The Guardian, Politico, and The Daily Star in Beirut. 

Our full story on Antonio: https://epicenter-nyc.com/a-tale-of-two-lives/

Documented: https://documentedny.com/

Run The World | What Women Should Demand in a Post-Pandemic World livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j5bjOQH9bg

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epicenter’s Mitra Kalita talks to Dr. Harlem Gunness, the director of public health at St. John’s University. 

He’s previously held roles as a Senior Officer with the US Public Health Service working at the CDC to investigate diseases like SARS and Ebola.

Most recently, Dr. Gunness has led research on why certain neighborhoods in New York City were hit harder than others during the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s also asking some important questions. How prepared are we for the next pandemic? And how can we make sure our most vulnerable communities will be more protected in the future.

We're also joined by Nicole Perrino. Nicole is the founder and editor of Bronxmama, a popular website for families looking to learn about local events, reviews, travel ideas, giveaways, and more. 

Nicole also works with Windows of Hip Hop, a nonprofit promoting the educational and historical perspective of Hip Hop. 

Dr. Harlem Gunness: https://www.stjohns.edu/academics/faculty/harlem-gunness

Bronxmama website: https://www.bronxmama.com/

TBN24: https://www.tbn24.com/

Kids and the Covid Vaccine livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXR00Kym7ZA&t=207s

Run the world livestream (Unmuted): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/run-the-world-what-women-should-demand-in-a-post-pandemic-world-registration-154699720027

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in January, when the second wave of the pandemic hit NYC, the Epicenter team began booking vaccine appointments for the elderly, essential workers, and people in the community with underlying conditions. In the end 8000 people reached out to Epicenter for help or resources and the team scheduled 5037 appointments. Along the way we learned a lot.  

Later, you'll meet Kirsten Cunha. After losing her father to Covid-19 on Valentine's Day, Kirsten channeled her grief into action. She began volunteering with Epicenter to book vaccine appointments for our neighbors and shares what that experience was like for her. 

Kirsten Cunha's viral tweet: https://twitter.com/KncunhaCunha/status/1363225646722334721?s=20

Epicenter NYC Vaccine stories from Grandma: https://epicenter-nyc.com/1858-2/

Epicenter NYC Real talk on vaccines: https://epicenter-nyc.com/1887-2/

Epicenter NYC Vaccine secrets: https://epicenter-nyc.com/peanut-butter-in-woodside-vaccine-secrets-head-to-hartford/

Epicenter NYC Registering thousands of neighbors: https://epicenter-nyc.com/what-we-learned-registering-thousands-of-our-neighbors-for-vaccines/

District 25 City Council forum livestream (Epicenter-NYC and TBN24): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXzRrDHdVLI

Run the world upcoming livestream (Unmuted): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/run-the-world-what-women-should-demand-in-a-post-pandemic-world-registration-154699720027

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.