Making It Here

In the heart of Sugar Hill, Manhattan’s only Black-owned comedy club, Comedy in Harlem, is entertaining and empowering the community. Founded by comedians Nicky Sunshine and Jamie Roberts, Comedy in Harlem isn’t only about the punchlines; it’s about creating a space for free expression and community connection – especially in turbulent times.

The club is also a tribute to Harlem’s cultural legacy and a platform for diverse voices to speak their truths. The club brings together locals and visitors alike, from young artists testing their skills at open mics to audience members looking for an escape through humor.

Today – we’re talking with Nicky about how Comedy in Harlem came to be, the challenges of running a small business in New York, and the deep responsibility she feels in amplifying marginalized voices. 

https://epicenter-nyc.com/manhattans-only-black-owned-comedy-club-offers-laughter-to-ease-election-stress/

https://www.comedyinharlem.com/

https://www.instagram.com/comedyinharlem/ 

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For many of us, election season comes with spikes in stress and anxiety. With so much uncertainty, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when the news and social media seem to only amplify our worries. The constant barrage of headlines, debates, and predictions can make it difficult to stay focused on our daily lives, leaving us feeling powerless and emotionally drained.

But to help us navigate it all is Dr. Laura Roberts, a New York City psychologist who specializes in anxiety. 

Today, Dr. Roberts joins me to discuss practical strategies to manage election — and post-election —anxiety—from calming techniques to finding resilience—so that we can stay grounded even as emotions run high. 

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/how-to-manage-election-anxiety/ 

https://epicenter-nyc.com/election-2024/ 

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Deja Brew, a new cafe in Richmond Hill, Queens, is quickly becoming a go-to spot for locals. Known for blending Caribbean and Latin American flavors, Deja Brew serves up coffee and fusion dishes in a laid-back space.

But more than just a cafe, Deja Brew is also about community—supporting local artists, giving back to schools, helping fellow immigrants, and creating a welcoming space where people can connect. It’s a family business with a clear mission, and at the heart of it all is Suraj Sooroojballie. Originally from Guyana, Suraj started Deja Brew with a vision to bring flavors and a sense of belonging to his community.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/brewing-coffee-fusion-food-and-good-vibes-in-richmond-hill/

https://www.instagram.com/dejabrewnyc/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/deja-brew-new-york

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Navigating high school admissions in New York City can be a daunting task, with over 900 programs to choose from, each with its own set of assessments, open houses, and ranking requirements. When Adrian Liang faced this challenge for his own kids, he decided to build a tool to help make sense of it all. The result is NYC SIFT, a website that thousands of families are now using to navigate the admissions process.

Today, Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita sits down with Adrian to learn more about how his frustration turned into a powerful tool for families across the city, how data can help make these tough decisions a bit easier, and why his hope is to make the process less stressful for everyone.

https://nycsift.com/

Your guide to navigating NYC’s high school admissions processHow lottery numbers work for school admissions, according to a computer scientist

Six high schools will favor Manhattanites. What that means

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Growing up with strong West Indian roots, Naomi Lake’s love for cooking began in her grandmother's kitchen in the Bronx, where she learned to create the rich flavors that connected her to her heritage. Then, during the pandemic, she made a bold decision to leave her teaching career behind and turn her culinary skills into a community-focused business. Enter Kathy's Kitchen BX.

Through her business, Naomi aims to educate her community on healthy eating with vegan recipes, while also promoting eco-friendly living with sustainable containers. Her journey has brought people together, proving that good food can nourish both the body and the soul.

Read our full story

Follow Kathy’s Kitchen BX on Instagram

Visit the Kathy’s Kitchen BX website

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Over the past several months, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's claim that immigrants are taking “Black jobs” has stirred up a lot of emotions, ranging from anger to outright ridicule. This narrative has not only been a talking point in debates but has also sparked conversations on social media and in communities across the country. It taps into a larger, more complicated history of how race and labor are intertwined, and how certain groups are often pitted against each other.

But the idea of immigrants “taking” jobs is not new—it’s an old tactic, used to create division. 

Today – we’ll explore the history behind these narratives. To help us make sense of these issues, we’re joined by Dr. Bryan Warde, a professor of social welfare at Lehman College. 

https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-black-jobs-narrative-reminds-us-of-historical-anxieties/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/election-2024/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/politics/

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Imagine trying to navigate your later years in a place where the food, language, and traditions feel foreign. This is the reality for many aging South Asians in the U.S., and it’s what led to the founding of India Home, an organization that provides senior centers, co-living spaces, and even dementia day care, all tailored to the specific cultural needs of this community. As South Asian elders face the dual challenges of aging and cultural isolation, India Home offers them a place to belong, with programs that reflect their heritage.

Today, we’ll dive into these stories and more, as we talk about the incredible work being done to create spaces where seniors can truly feel at home. To guide us through this conversation, we’re joined by Samra Rashid, a licensed social worker at India Home, and Kavita Shah, the program and budget director.

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/culturally-sensitive-care-retirement-homes-for-south-asian-seniors/ 

Learn more about India Home: https://indiahome.org/ 

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Despite being celebrated as the nation's quintessential 'city of immigrants,' New York City is grappling with a surge of anti-immigrant sentiment. From Mayor Eric Adams attributing budget cuts to the influx of migrants, to persistent narratives blaming newcomers for societal woes, xenophobic rhetoric is alarmingly pervasive—even here. But why does this sentiment persist in a city built by generations of immigrants? To help unpack this complex issue, I spoke to Sarah Seidman, the curator of social activism at the Museum of the City of New York. Sarah has curated the exhibit 'Nativists and Immigrants: "Beware of Foreign Influence" 1830-1860,' which explores the deep roots of anti-immigrant movements in New York's history.

Today – Sarah shares historical patterns of xenophobia that continue to influence modern attitudes. She also explains why disproven myths about immigrants endure, and what lessons we can learn from the past to build a more inclusive future.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-anti-immigrant-sentiment-lingers-in-nyc-americas-immigrant-capital/ 

https://www.mcny.org/exhibition/nativists-and-immigrants

https://www.instagram.com/museumofcityny/?hl=en

https://epicenter-nyc.com/election-2024/ 

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Former kindergarten teacher Tay Milburn moved from Houston to NYC in 2019 seeking a new path but soon faced the pandemic and multiple surgeries for a tumor. Turning to Pilates for healing, she encountered racial biases, including being asked to stop using #BlackGirlPilates. Undeterred, she founded Fringe Pilates, an inclusive studio with classes taught by women of color, fostering community and belonging. In this episode, we discuss her journey overcoming health challenges and industry biases to build an empowering, diverse community.

Sign up for a class: https://www.fringepilates.com/schedule-pricing-and-booking

Follow Fringe Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fringepilates/ 

You can also reach them at: [email protected] 

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Raised in a Haitian household, Brigitte Malivert grew up surrounded by rich flavors, but it wasn’t until college that she discovered her love for baking. While on a pre-med track, she started experimenting with ben-yeh, inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, as a way to relieve the stress of writing her thesis. But what began as a calming hobby soon led her to reconsider her future. This passion led to the creation of Queen B Bake Shop, where Brigitte specializes in custom cakes and desserts, blending her classical French training with the flavors of her Haitian heritage. Queen B Bake Shop isn’t just about baking—it’s Brigitte's way of connecting her cultural roots with a modern twist on traditional desserts.

Today we hear from Brigitte to learn more about her journey from pre-med to pastry, how she’s blending her cultural roots with classical techniques, and what she envisions for her future in the kitchen.

Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/queenbbakeshop/?hl=en 

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