A Jamaican mother-daughter duo fills fashion’s empty niche
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, decade…
Why reggaeton stars are ditching their music for God
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…
A Taste of Argentina in NYC with Mendulcina's Mirta Rinaldi
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, a…
NYC's Fight Against Predatory Home Flipping
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 ar…
The Evolution of Brooklyn Film Camera with Kyle Depew
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 p…
Behind the Scenes of 'Public Obscenities' with Shayok Misha Chowdhury
“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 …
How The NYC Audubon Society is Moving Past a Racist Legacy
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 cit…
Jon Pichaya Ferry and the Making of NYC's First Bone Museum
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 pione…
How TeenSpace is Revolutionizing Mental Health for NYC's Youth
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 …
Uncovering Climate Inequities in Queens Through Art with Nitin Mukul
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 neigh…