New Neighbors

Hey Neighbors! In today’s program, we speak with Emil Jangozov. Emil is a Crimean-born, New York-raised architecture, and real estate student. When he was 1, Emil’s parents decided they wanted to have a different life and embarked on a journey to the US.

The entirety of today’s program takes place in the Central Library, just next to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. I met with Emil at the library during peak hours, and there was quite a bit of echo from the people walking around - I apologize for the noise, that’s on me, everyone.

In any case, I hope you enjoy this episode as Emily and I discuss legacies and how different generations of immigrants aspire to keep their family’s stories alive through time.

En este episodio de New Neighbors, conversé con Eva, activista Dominicana de 32 años que actualmente reside en el Bronx, en la ciudad de Nueva York.

Eva es recipiente del Programa de Acción Diferida para los Llegados en la Infancia - mejor conocido como DACA. El DACA fue establecido por el presidente Barack Obama a través de una orden ejecutiva y el programa permite, a los inmigrantes que califiquen, evitar la deportación de Estados Unidos.

La historia de Eva en Nueva York comenzó cuando ella era apenas una niña.

Hey Neighbors! On today’s program, we speak with Niege Borges. Niege is a visual artist from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Niege now lives in Bushwick, in Brooklyn. One of the interesting things I discussed with Niege was how sometimes, some parts of New York can remind us of our home town. The entirety of today’s program takes place in Bushwick, a neighborhood located in the northern part of Brooklyn. Niege and I met at a cafe on Wyckoff avenue and then we walked through Knickerbocker avenue, known for the many shops and street vendors that set shop on it’s streets.

Stick around for more from Niege, our neighbor from Brazil, currently living in New York City.

Hey Neighbors! On today’s program, we speak with Mahir. Mahir is Bangladeshi American and moved to the US when he was a young child. Growing up in California, Mahir found that most of the people around him didn’t know much or anything about Bangladesh. Now that he lives in New York City, however, Mahir might be closer to finding different communities that connect with him on multiple levels.

En este episodio de New Neighbors, conversé con Angelo, comediante y filmmaker Venezolano, que actualmente reside en Brooklyn.

Angelo y yo nos encontramos en Millie’s, un cafecito cubano en Bushwick. Caminando por Bushwick, pudimos hablar un poco sobre la vida en Nueva York, su proceso creativo, los panas y lo que podría venirse en el futuro.

Los dejo con Angelo, de Venezuela y Brooklyn:

On this episode of New Neighbors, I met Katarina Baric, who grew up in Croatia and now lives in Brooklyn. Katarina and I met in late June in Battery Park. Katarina finds New York to be the place where she found her people and herself. And though Katarina misses and remembers Croatia fondly, she believes it might be difficult to go back to the country where she spent her childhood, as it might not be as open to her or her identity, as New York City has been.

En este episodio de New Neighbors, converso con Nilton Maa, poeta Peruano hijo de un padre chino y una madre nativa de la sierra del Perú. Me senté a conversar con Nilton en su apartamento en Manhattan donde hablamos sobre la situación de la comunidad Tusan - asi se le dice a la comunidad China en el Perú - y su trayectoria como poeta y el viaje que lo trajo finalmente a Nueva York.

In this episode of New Neighbors, I went to Dumbo in Brooklyn to meet Yulia. Yulia is a super hard-working licensed massage and acupuncture therapist - and a mother of Oliver, her son. Yulia is originally from Russia. Yulia’s original plan did not include moving to New York City, specifically, but as fate would have it - and with the help of one Kevin McAllister (from Home Alone), she found herself building a home in Brooklyn.

On this episode of New Neighbors, I spoke with Adama. Adama is originally from Senegal, and he came to New York when he was 17, alongside his parents and siblings. Adama is now 24 and about to graduate from college, where he studies finance. Being an immigrant from Senegal, Adama faced many challenges in New York. Though he thought not knowing the language would be his first barrier, Adama found that being Black in America posed a more significant challenge. Also, Adama’s visa is about to run out, so he’ll have to find a job that sponsors him to continue living in the US. Still, in the face of these adversities, Adama keeps an optimistic view of his life and appreciates the opportunities he’s been given.

On this episode of New Neighbors, I spoke with Angela. Angela is originally from the Philippines, and she came to New York when she was very young, alongside her dad and siblings. You see, Angela’s mom had found a job as a teacher in Brooklyn, so she was able to bring Angela and her family to New York. Now, Angela works as an immigration attorney, helping other families get their loved ones to the US, just as her mom did with Angela and her family all those years ago.

New York is home for Angela. Since she was very young, she has been connected to the Filipino community in the city. But, as Angela says, she’s also been able to foster deep relationships with other like-minded immigrants, who have been at Angela’s side throughout her life.