Communitas of New York

What happens when a community spends years building relationships, knowledge, and value on a platform it does not control? Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with D'Angelo Senat, founder and CEO of AllPeeP, about rethinking online community infrastructure around ownership, privacy, and long-term trust. AllPeeP gives organizations greater control over their member relationships, data, and digital environments, while its op...

Screen time is often viewed as something to limit—but what if it could also become an opportunity to build emotional awareness, resilience, and connection? In this episode, Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with Dr. Melissa Cesarano, co-founder of ThinkHumanTV, about a venture that combines cognitive science, storytelling, and interactive technology to help children and families develop emotional literacy through t...

In this episode, we explore how outdated administrative systems shape the everyday experiences of communities—and how technology can help remove barriers that often go unseen. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with Devin Abraham, founder of Liiv, a venture transforming paper-based government processes into intelligent digital workflows. Drawing on experience in public housing, finance, technology, and entrepreneurs...

In this episode, we explore the work behind CocoaFiber, a biomaterials venture transforming discarded cocoa pod husks into bio-based textile fibers. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with founder Shannen-Kaylia Henry about drawing upon her family's cocoa-farming heritage, her background in biology and textile innovation, and her experiences across international fashion and manufacturing systems to develop an alternative ...

In this episode, we explore the work behind CarbonCLAIR, a venture developing innovative air filtration technology to improve air quality in construction sites, infrastructure projects, and other challenging environments. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with founder Fares Al-lahabi about transforming an engineering idea into a venture through customer discovery, community engagement, and real-world deployment. From con...

In this episode, we hear about how the Harlem-based Featuring the Café creates a welcoming and hospitable environment for all; and also serves as a platform for Featuring the Center for Culinary Arts, a social-impact nonprofit that emphasizes workforce training to create pathways toward economic stability and second chances. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with founder Arnyce Foster-Hernandez about what it means to bui...

In this episode, we explore the work behind Sol Cacao, the Bronx's first bean-to-bar chocolate factory and a family-founded venture. Through their work, the three Maloney brothers bring single-origin chocolate to people while reconnecting them to the origins of their food. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with co-founder Daniel Maloney about what it means to build a venture rooted in family, agriculture, and a commitmen...

In this episode, we explore the work of Neville Green, also known as "The Burnout Prevention Guy," founder of Haus of Ananda, a social-impact venture focused on stress management and the improvement of overall well-being through a trauma-informed, holistic approach. In conversation, Monique T. Marshall finds out what it means to build a venture that collaborates with marginalized groups, professionals, and institutiona...

In this episode, we explore the work behind Bronx Eats, a social-impact venture that empowers communities by increasing access to fresh produce while building confidence around cooking and nutrition. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with founder Gail Schorsch about what it means to build a venture that collaborates with schools, local organizations, and community stakeholders to address both the visible and invisible ga...

In this episode, we explore the work of museum education leader, creative strategist, author, and entrepreneur Kimaada Le Gendre. Her work, including her ventures Camp Naturebella, Naturebella's Kids, and Curating the Art of Learning, as well as her work as Chief Learning Officer at the Queens Museum and Director of the Suna Children's Museum, brings together creative practice, public engagement, and community-centered...

In this episode, we explore the work behind Equity Design, a social-purpose-focused venture that employs a design-centered process to create physical activity programs, with the goal of changing lives and shaping long-lasting behaviors amongst communities. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with founder Maurelhena Walles about what it means to build a venture that collaborates with institutions, leaders, and community sta...

In this episode, we step inside the vision behind the International Salsa Museum, a grand cultural project dedicated to preserving the history, rhythm, and global impact of salsa music. Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with co-founder Willy Rodriguez about what it means to build a museum before the building exists. From pop-up exhibitions to community collaborations, we will hear about how the museum is already ali...

In this episode, we find out how we can address food insecurity at individual, family, and community levels. What happens when we start to pay attention to how things grow? What are the positive impacts that occur when we come together in a community to create and scale up autonomous, self-sufficient food systems? Host Monique T. Marshall speaks with Samia (Sam) Lemfadli, founder of Change Food for Good. What happens w...

The founders of FoodStream Network join host Monique T. Marshall in conversation. Richard Cumming and Johanna Salazar discuss designing infrastructure that promote food knowledge and connection within communities experiencing food insecurity, as well as amongst organizations that can play a key role in dealing with food surplus. Join us as we discuss FoodStream's strategies based on their Connect, Learn, and Delivery p...

Collaboration connotes people working together, but people don't work together in a vacuum. On this episode of Communitas of New York, we hear Kashon DuBose, the founder of Cultivators; and Renee Keitt, the co-founder of KBM Spices and Things. In conversation with host Monique T. Marshall, the two founders discuss what it means to have a relationship with a community through having a relationship with the land, to seek...

In this episode, we find out all about constructing platforms and spaces—the kinds of platforms and spaces built to foster literacy, to create the opportunity to be seen, to nurture a sense of collectivity, to elevate the voices of those in the community. Rina Madhani is the founder of Start Lighthouse and Amira Mustapha is the founder of Art Defined. In this conversation with host Monique T. Marshall, these coll...

Olga Baez is the founder of StriveHigher, Inc., which includes the Kids Building Wealth initiative; and Olga Perez is the founder of MVP Lifeguards and MVP Swimmers. What is the bridge between a venture that fosters early literacy and financial education; and one that aims to create very proficient swimmers and make the water sport accessible to all? It is community engagement! Hear how these two founders planted the s...

Andrea Augustus of Poetic Black Gurl LLC, Ibrahima "Ibro" Badji of Good Vibes, and Amber Peters of On Track With Mizz P. are linked through their venture activities in the education, creative arts, and college access realms, all working in their own unique ways to empower students, families, and educators. In conversation with host Monique T. Marshall, these dynamic "business besties" share how they amplify their power...

Marcellis Counts, founder of Apian Industry and André Ware, co-founder & executive director of Bee U NYC, converse with host Monique T. Marshall about their involvement in apiculture-centered entrepreneurship. Hear about the burgeoning collaboration between founders, one from a for-profit venture based on cultivation of strong connections to the land, improvement of the quality of life of residents through developm...