Making It Here

We’re fresh off the heels of the DNC in Chicago, where we captured a powerful conversation between URL Media CEO Mitra Kalita and two trailblazing Indian American politicians: Arvind Venkat, Pennsylvania Representative, and Shekhar Krishnan, New York City Council Member. As the first Indian Americans to hold their offices, Arvind and Shekhar bring their identities and fresh perspectives to elected office. Their conversation focuses on the power of public service and what’s really at stake in this year’s election of Harris- Walz versus Trump- Vance. This podcast is a collaboration between Epicenter NYC and URL Media. 

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Harlem Wine Gallery is not just a place to buy wine; it’s a community hub where wine lovers and novices alike can learn, taste, and connect.

Pascal and Danine Lewis, the husband-and-wife team behind Harlem Wine Gallery, turned their passion for wine into a business. Living in Central Harlem, Pascal and Danine often found themselves traveling downtown to find the wines they loved—small-production, natural, and biodynamic wines that weren’t available in their neighborhood. This sparked a simple yet powerful idea: why not open a shop in Harlem that offers these unique wines and shares their passion with the community?

Today we hear from Pascal and Danine to learn more about their journey, their love for wine, and the challenges and rewards of running a small business in Harlem.

Learn more: https://harlemwinegallery.com/ 

Follow Harlem Wine Gallery on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harlemwine/ 

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Monica Martinez, founder of Black Kat Krochet, has turned her love for cats and crocheting into a business – one that’s not only a source of income but also a way to connect with her roots and her community.

Monica’s journey began when she crocheted a sweater for her cat during a cold winter. Encouraged by friends, she started selling her creations, and in 2017, Black Kat Krochet was born. Her work is deeply connected to her Mexican roots, using threads sourced from women in Mexico, and it’s been a way for her to reconnect with her heritage.

In this episode, we sit down with Monica to learn more about how she got into crocheting, how she turned a passion into a business, and what’s in store for the future.

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/crochet-clothes-for-your-cat-the-bronx-biz-specializing-in-quirky-cat-outfits/ 

Follow Black Kat Krochet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black_kat_krochet/ 

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Last year, Forest Hills High School student Salma Baksh found herself in a club aimed at discussing politics, but felt uncomfortable speaking up. Even with her best friend, Vilinez Estevez, by her side, the environment didn’t feel right. The discomfort led Salma and Vili to look for a space where they could freely discuss the topics they really cared about. And when that original club fizzled out, another opportunity arose. Enter the Youth Informed Club. Their first meeting drew a packed room, with students eager to discuss issues like gun control and Mayor Eric Adams' policies.

Now, the club's impact extends beyond their school, thanks to a partnership with Let’s Talk Democracy, a civics education organization. The students also collaborated with the Forest Hills Green Team, gaining skills like networking and handling press advisories.

In this episode we sit down with Salma and Vili to learn more about Youth Informed Club and what’s in store for the future.

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In Gowanus, Tijon Randall, Joy Liu, and Vincent Cabrera have created a unique space that blends top-notch bike repair with a welcoming atmosphere. They started by offering bike services out of their own home, complete with hospitality touches like snacks and beverages. This ethos of care and attention to detail is now at the heart of their shop – Tuned, where customers can expect a warm welcome and expert service.

Today - I sit down with Tijon, Joy and Vincent to learn more about their journey, from late-night basement repairs to becoming a beloved local shop, all while elevating the standard for what a bike shop can be.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/tuning-into-neighbors-needs-at-a-brooklyn-boutique-bike-shop/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tuned.by/

https://tuned-by.square.site/

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Sarina Prabasi and her husband, Elias, started Buunni Coffee in 2012 after moving from Ethiopia to New York City. With them, they brought a deep appreciation for the Ethiopian coffee culture, which emphasizes community, hospitality, and the experience of enjoying coffee together. Today, Buunni Coffee is exactly that – a hub for community gatherings and events, with four cafes in Washington Heights and Inwood.

Today we sit down with Sarina to learn more about how coffee played a crucial role in her and Elias's lives, from their first meeting over a cup of coffee in Ethiopia to the creation of Buunni Coffee in New York. She shares the challenges they faced as new entrepreneurs in New York City, the importance of sustainable and fair trade practices in their sourcing, and how Buunni Coffee has become an integral part of their community.

https://www.buunnicoffee.com/

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In her 20s, Marvina Robinson and her friends would sip champagne from red plastic cups on Bed-Stuy stoops. Two decades later, Marvina is one of the few Black women entrepreneurs in the champagne industry. She left her career on Wall Street to follow her passion, establishing B. Stuyvesant Champagne. She brings a fresh perspective to a wine synonymous with luxury. It’s not just for special occasions, instead, it can be enjoyed with every-day meals.

In this episode Marvina shares her journey in starting B. Stuyvesant Champagne, the challenges she faced along the way.

Learn more: 

https://www.stuyvesantchampagne.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/stuyvesantchampagne/ 

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Bushwick’s Mil Mundos, founded in 2018, is one of the only bookstores east of Myrtle Avenue offering books in English and Spanish. But it’s more than a bookstore, it’s a community hub that aims to counter the effects of gentrification. Volunteers, like Becca Ramos, help manage the store and assist customers

Today, we sit down with Becca, who’s now the director of events at Mil Mundos, to learn more about the bookstore’s mission and her work there. She also shares why Mil Mundos has inspired her to create a podcast about the Puerto Rican experience.

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Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/hidden-juice-bar-at-the-george-washington-bridge-is-your-tropical-escape-for-smoothies-sandwiches-and-smiles/

GWB Juice Bar is a hidden gem at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Owned by Luis Perez, it serves Caribbean drinks like soursop smoothies and the Dominican classic morir soñando, along with hot dogs and sandwiches inspired by his Dominican roots. But GWB Juice Bar is much more than a place for food and drinks; it's a community hub. Luis’s personal touch and commitment make it a special spot for all who visit.

Today, we sit down with Luis to learn more about what led him to creating GWB Juice Bar, how he kept the doors open throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and what’s in store for the future.

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Fernando Ruiz spent his childhood summers in Veracruz, Mexico, where he fell in love with fresh tacos … and which inspired him to start Nixtamal, a tortilla business using the traditional nixtamalization process, in 2008 in Corona, Queens.

Despite initial success, expansion challenges and the pandemic caused setbacks. But Fernando persisted, securing opportunities to sell at the U.S. Open, Mets games at Citi Field, and the Queens Night Market. 

In this episode Fernando tells us story behind Nixtamal, and how he transformed Queens' food scene with his authentic, heritage-infused tacos.

"Ways of Showing Up" event details: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ways-of-showing-up-presented-by-epicenter-nyc-and-dept-of-transformation-tickets-928085989177?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Learn more about Nixtamal: https://nixtamal.nyc/

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/discover-the-heritage-infused-tacos-revolutionizing-queens-food-scene/

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