Epicenter NYC

Not too long ago I was heading home after a trek through Forest Park and saw a swarm of black-colored birds — hundreds of them — in the sky, trees and power lines, on rooftops and lawns and on sidewalks across the street. Fascinated by the super-flock, I consulted a couple bird experts, sharing pictures and a video. 

Paul Sweet, a collection manager at the American Museum of Natural History’s ​​department of ornithology, was one o...

On weekend nights, Puerto Viejo in Prospect Heights is packed with New Yorkers and visitors alike. Many stay for hours, sipping morir soñando and eating sancocho while chatting with friends or longtime restaurant staff. In this episode we sit down with Maritza Abreu, the daughter of founders Cristina and Eduardo Abreu. Maritza is now in charge of marketing and events for the family restaurant. And her parents' work has also inspire...

As Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex at Citi Field is in limbo, some community advocates are questioning whether the harms outweigh the benefits. And during the February casino town hall, several residents, some of whom are of East Asian descent, questioned the casino’s proximity to Flushing’s Asian American community. Two of  them argued that members of the community “tend to gamble a lo...

When Lolita Malone was growing up with three younger sisters and their baby brother in rural Jamaica, she and her siblings shared clothes, shoes, and pretty much everything. They had a tiny allowance but big fashion dreams, so they would hit up thrift shops and cut and upcycle clothes.

Now, decades later, Lolita and her daughter, Maui, have launched a Manhattan-based fashion brand of their own: Maui x Lolita. Their designs are for...

In December, reggaeton legend Daddy Yankee announced his plan to dedicate himself to Christianity. He dropped the bombshell on a farewell tour while a drone depicted a giant cross and the message “Christ is coming.” Daddy Yankee’s move follows other icons like Farruko, Julio Voltio, El General. But that’s not the only thing they have in common. So why do reggaeton artists who’ve announced their devotion to religion happen to be mid...

Mirta Rinaldi was 61 years old when she launched her food business, Mendulcina. But her journey with food began long before. Growing up in Mendoza, Argentina, she spent a lot of time in the kitchen, surrounded by family. Cooking was their love language. Then, in 1975 Mirta moved to New York City, and after working a variety of jobs she decided to follow her passion and cook full time.

In this episode Epicenter-NYC’s Danielle Hyams...

Neighborhoods like Cypress Hills and East New York are currently witnessing an alarming trend where house flippers aggressively target homes. They often prey on the vulnerabilities of low-income, Black, and Brown homeowners.

Luckily, community groups like the Coalition for Community Advancement are fighting back with initiatives such as the proposed "flip tax" bill. In this episode we sit down with Maliha Jahangiri, who joined the...

Kyle Depew’s journey into the heart of film photography began long before he opened “Brooklyn Film Camera” in 2015. With a background working for the Impossible Project, which famously acquired the last Polaroid factory, Kyle leveraged his experience and passion to create a space dedicated to the preservation and celebration of film photography. 

From a modest stall at the Brooklyn Flea Market to a sprawling two-level store in Wil...

“Public Obscenities” explores the pleasures and pitfalls of living in translation as it follows a queer studies PhD student returning to his family home in India with his Black American boyfriend. The bilingual play boldly navigates the complexities of identity, belonging, and expression.

In this episode Playwright Shayok Misha Chowdhury talks to Epicenter Founder and Publisher S. Mitra Kalita to explore the layers of thought and ...

Last March, the New York City chapter of the Audubon Society voted to take flight from its past, shedding the name of John James Audubon – a figure intertwined with naturalist art and a legacy of white supremacy. In an effort to embrace inclusivity and reflect the diverse communities across the city, the organization is now looking for a new name. They’re also inviting all New Yorkers to be part of the change.

In this episode we d...

In this episode we dive into the world of osteology with Jon Pichaya Ferry, the founder of New York City’s first and only Bone Museum. From the origins of human bone trade to the ethical implications of sourcing and displaying these remains, Jon shares his journey from a curious teenager to a pioneering museum curator.

https://epicenter-nyc.com/bringing-bones-to-the-mainstream/ 
https://www.jonsbones.com/book-a-tour
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The Adams’ administration, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, recently announced the launch of a new three-year initiative aimed at helping teens get access to free therapy. Talkspace, a New York based digital mental health company, is set to operate the program, called TeenSpace, to offer tele-mental health services to kids between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.

In this episode ...

The exhibition "Heat Maps: Queens", now on view through January at the Local NY, takes a unique approach to highlight the effects of the climate crisis. Using a technique known as durational painting, Queens-based artist and Epicenter-NYC co-founder, Nitin Mukul, has captured the struggles of neighborhoods like East Elmhurst, Corona, Jamaica, and Hollis, which are high-risk areas on the Heat Vulnerability Index. His work shows the ...

Black Lives Matter protesters who participated in demonstrations in New York City in the summer of 2020 are now at the center of what is considered the largest protest settlement in history. But a critical deadline looms. Protesters have until January 22nd to file their claim. In this episode Eliana Perozo talks to Epicenter-NYC’s Danielle Hyams to explore the nuances of the SOW versus the City of New York lawsuit, understanding th...

This month marks three years since the world watched as rioters violently stormed the capitol with the intent to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Since then, hundreds have been arrested and sentenced for their crimes on January 6th. And a congressional committee was formed to investigate how this could’ve happened.

Last week, URL Media partner, “Our Body Politic”, released a six part podcast series exploring the inner work...

For years, Epicenter-NYC has been a proud member of URL Media - a decentralized, multi-platform network that includes high-performing Black and Brown news media organizations. And this month, URL is celebrating three years of hard work. In this episode we’ll share an excerpt from the Local News Matters podcast where URL co-founders, Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, discuss the network's mission to support and empower independent med...

For years, parents and kids across New York City have been going to Drag Story Hours. Its goal is to provide a safe space to promote reading, inclusion, and diversity. But as the events have become a target for hate, supporters have another goal… to ensure Drag Story Hours continues to exist. We want to start with the basics. What exactly is a Drag Story Hour? And why are kids and parents across the city packing rooms to participat...

Association of Community Employment Programs (ACE) serves more than 650 people each year with workforce development, therapeutic counseling, adult basic education, and job readiness training. They’ve helped over 3,000 New Yorkers overcome homelessness, incarceration and addiction. But in 2020, things took a turn. The team was forced to operate differently — there was a surge in need that they had never seen before. Still today, Eli...