Epicenter NYC

Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/meet-the-esthetician-who-went-from-doing-beauty-services-on-her-front-stoop-to-running-her-own-business/ 

Growing up, Shondrea Harrod was always fascinated with skincare and beauty. This passion led her to pursue a formal education in esthetics. Now, Shondrea is a licensed esthetician, a talented makeup artist, and an experienced esthetics instructor. She also owns Snatched Pro Studio...

Despite statistics suggesting that New York remains one of the safest large cities in the U.S., the lived experience for many of us tells a different story. So why is there such a disconnect between the numbers and our feelings of safety?

In this episode S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder and publisher of Epicenter NYC, talks to reporter Felipe De La Hoz, about the current crime landscape.

Read our full story: https://epicenter-ny...

Once again, Epicenter NYC is teaming up with the New York Indian Festival as its community media sponsor. The festival will take place from Friday, May 31st to Sunday, June 2nd at the Village East by Angelika. 

The New York Indian Film Festival is the oldest film festival of its kind – screening premieres of films made from, of, and about India. The event includes more than just screenings – expect industry panels, post-screening ...

Cherie Conliffe grew up in Brownsville, where corner stores were filled with junk food and her family’s traditional West Indian foods were hard to find. Living in a food desert, she quickly realized the gaps in nutrition education. This became the jump-off point to a career in wellness. 

During the pandemic Cherie started CherVitality, and is now bringing Caribbean nutrition to her community through Moringa and other traditional h...

On the corner of 85th Street in Jackson Heights, A.R.T. (short for Art Retail Therapy), has more than just brushes and colored pencils. It’s a space that invites artists and non-artists alike to share their art and life stories – or to simply get lost among the well-stocked shelves. Francisco Segarra opened A.R.T. in 202. Today, the Queer and Latinx-owned shop is a community arts center.

In this episode we talk with Francisco and ...

In February of 2021, Earnest Flowers opened a natural and organic grocery store in the heart of Southeast Queens called Earnest Foods. Since then, the store has become a vital source for residents – offering sugarless, gluten-free, and organic products in an area where options like these are scarce. And while at first, there was a trickle of customers – neighbors, or those who saw it in local newspapers, the business quickly cement...

Danielle Copper suffered from severe eczema in her teens and early twenties. And despite numerous consultations with dermatologists and treatments like antibiotics, creams, and cortisone shots, her condition didn’t improve.

So she decided create her own skincare products – starting with a face soap. She saw an immediate improvement in her skin and confidence. Encouraged by her own results, Danielle left her job as a 911 operator a...

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
ht...

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 ...