OPEN

On this episode of OPEN, Yasiris Ortiz, Founder & CEO of Spin & Learn and professional table tennis player, discusses how the organization uses table tennis to help young people build confidence, discipline, and essential life skills. Then, Dr. Anita Patel, Pediatric Critical Care Attending Physician at Children’s National Medical Center, explains how maternal vaccination can help protect...

OPEN Monday host Doctor Bob Lee is joined by Morris Napolitano, Actor and Film Producer, and Sofiia Lutaniuk, Actress and Model, who reflect on their characters in the film, "Lucy", highlight the movie's goal to support families raising children with autism and bring greater awareness to their experiences. Pastor Harry Jones, Teaching Pastor, Manhattan Bible Church, speaks about his church's grand...

On this week's episode of OPEN Friday, Doctor Bob Lee sits with Julius Drake of the Bronx Tourism Council, who shares how he secures major partnerships and supports traditions like Bronx Week, Savor the Bronx, and the Tour de Bronx. Then, FoodStream Co-Founder and CEO Richard Cumming discusses building a smarter system for addressing food security, serving NYC and NJ with hundreds of thousands of...

On this episode of OPEN, John Clement, Co-Founder & Executive Director of South Bronx Community Charter High School, discusses the school’s summer robotics program. Then, Ari Cannavino, Volunteer Coordinator at The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, explains the importance of child-centered advocacy for immigrant children. Next, Dr. Angela Crowley, Board-certified Rheumatologist, an...

On this week's edition of OPEN Monday, host Doctor Bob Lee is joined by Kristian Acosta, Founder, Reclaim the Journey, and Dr. Dana Smith, P.R. Contact, Reclaim the Journey, who discuss how they are empowering young people to reconnect with their roots, highlighting their experiences on a recent group service trip to Lambaye, Senegal. Julie Rauer and Bruce Gemmell, Co-founders of Art Science Compl...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, Rosa Alicia Clemente, an award-winning organizer, independent journalist, and Oscar-winning film producer joins to discuss her journey from running a historic vice-presidential campaign to confronting and exposing colonialism. Next, BronxNet reporters take a local look at community restoration project where a father-and-son duo is transforming their nei...

On this episode of OPEN, Dr. Delaney Gracy, Senior Vice President of Medical Services at The New York Foundling, discusses the organization’s healthcare services available to Bronx children and families, and practical ways families can prepare children for a healthy return to school. Then, Anthony Aleman, author of BARLESS: A Bronx Memoir and founder of Barless Press, shares his powerful story of...

On this week's edition of OPEN Monday, host Doctor Bob Lee sits down with Bronx native Marina Mason, Educator and Author, who discusses how she is inspiring others to find their God-given purpose through her foremost work, "Heartpenned: Poems Written in the Secret Place". Patrick Downer, Filmmaker, Photographer, Owner of Port Morris Studios, spotlights his work as a mutlidisciplinary creative, and...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, Sulma Arzu-Brown, an award-winning Afro-Latina author, advocate, and co-founder and executive director of Storyland: The Bronx Book Haven, bolsters a love of literacy across the Bronx through cultural curation. Then, the author of “Luna Loves The Bronx,” Kayla Arthur,  shares her heartfelt story celebrating the borough’s spirit while teaching young read...

On this episode of OPEN, award-winning author A. Marc Ross discusses his latest international thriller, Attacking the Dragon, a suspenseful novel filled with espionage, political intrigue, and unexpected twists. Then, Andrea Perez, Director of the Retention in Care Unit, and Porsche Jones, Community Health Outreach Worker at Amida Care, highlight the Affirming Care, Affirming Lives campaign and th...

On this week's edition of OPEN Monday, host Doctor Bob Lee is joined by Taniedra McFadden, Executive Chief of Staff for Sylvia Woods, Inc. and Sylvia's Restaurant, to speak about the community and cultural impact that Sylvia's Restaurant has had on the Harlem community, and to spotlight the 64th Anniversary celebration. Aleila Barton, Published Author, Entrepreneur, and Community leader, highlight...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, filmmaker Yissendy Trinidad and her producing partner Moriah Brown, discuss their recent feature film, 'One Guy, Too Many Dates,' presented at the New York Dominican Film Festival, and share their experiences as independent creators bolstering female-led storytelling. Then, entrepreneur and community leader Raidirys Rivas-McCray, also known as Chef Ra,...

On this episode of OPEN, Laura Savino, Senior Vice President of Care Management at the Institute for Community Living, discusses a major investment expanding mental health services across New York City. Then, author Dr. Joanne Intrator shares the inspiring story behind her memoir "Summons to Berlin" and her family's fight for Holocaust restitution. Next, Randy Niles Smith, founder of Oathic, expla...

On this edition of OPEN Monday, host Doctor Bob Lee sits down with Kenny Linn, Kaplan Leadership Program Scholar & Student, Georgetown University, to reflect on how the Kaplan Educational Foundation and Kaplan Leadership Program helped him transfer to a top university. Jayden Antwine and Kai Diata Giovanni, Co-founders, New Age Poetry, sheds light on how they are empowering young artists throu...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, NYS Senator and Chair of the Committee of Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks & Recreations, José M. Serrano, expresses his passion for the arts and culture and the profound impact the arts can have on education and community revitalization. Then, Executive Director of Freelancers Union, Andrea Gordillo, recalls her journey as a prominent figure who pr...

On this episode of Open, Diane Cooper, Founder & CEO of Caregivers Outreach, Inc., COO Kristin Morris, and youth caregiver Braden Oney discuss the hidden population of youth caregivers and how Caregivers Outreach, Inc. is providing support, resources, and advocacy to help them thrive. Then, Gia Med, Founder of UallNaturals, and Ashley Bernice Letang, Founder of Afro by Ashley, share how their...

On this week's edition of OPEN Monday, host Doctor Bob Lee sits down with Keisha Mayo, Producer, Playwright, and Author, to reflect on her recent stage play, "Love Conquers All", and to highlight her foremost book, "Misery". Chris Torres, Senior Producer, Live Music and Events,  BRIC Arts Media, speaks about the organization's annual, "Celebrate Brooklyn Festival", spotlighting their first-ever, "...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, Ralph Calle-Schulz, Co-Founder & CEO of RISE FLIX, discusses the growth of the streaming platform and its mission to support independent filmmakers. Then, Diana Negron, Owner and Designer of Bodacious Bijous, introduces her new Zodiac Collection, sharing the inspiration behind the designs and the collaboration with her daughter that brought the coll...

On this episode of OPEN, Dr. Claudia Kim, Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at New Look New Life, shares expert advice on protecting your skin from summer UV damage and maintaining healthy skin all season long. Then, Harold Hodge, Book Writer, Director, and Actor, joins Tahliah Bergel and Khadija Ceesay to discuss Peter Pan & #Wendy, a bold reimagining of the beloved c...

On this edition of OPEN Monday, Doctor Bob Lee is joined by award-winning entrepreneur Tanisha Adjokatcher, Digital Marketing Expert, Money Coach, Author, who shares important tips on financial literacy and wealth building for youth and parents highlighted in her recent book, "The ABC’s of Wealth Building for Children” and spotlights her upcoming Black Excellence Festival.  Buddy White, Founder an...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, Arthur Avilés, Founder of ArthurAvilés Typical Theatre (AATT) & Co-Founder of BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, discusses the AATT Academy program and the importance of accessible arts education. Then, Ann Sylvia Clark, Creator of ThriftJam, joins Filmmaker, Salsa Dancer and Collaborator, Kenny Salsa, to talk about ThriftJam 2026 and how th...

On this episode of OPEN, Erika Palmer, Supervising Attorney at Advocates for Children of New York, discusses a new report highlighting education gaps facing NYC students in foster care. Next, Crystal Hawkins-Syska, 2026 HGAR Westchester County Regional Director, 2026 HGAR Legislative Chair and Vice Chair of the IDEAS Committee for NAR shares practical pathways to homeownership and resources for fi...

On this edition of OPEN Monday, Doctor Bob Lee sits down with Dr. Bill Tinglin, Founder and Executive Director of the Jamaica Rising Day Parade, who previews this year's parade celebration and reflects on how it honors the past, celebrates the present and inspires the future of Jamaica. Larz May, Founder and Executive Director, #HalfTheStory, speaks about how her youth non-profit organization is a...

On this episode of OPEN with Rhina Valentin, Francesca André, author, filmmaker, and TEDx speaker, discusses her latest children books "From Cocoon To Wings” and “A Very Impatient Caterpillar." Then, Jason Reyes, Founding Principal of the Bronx School of Hip-Hop, shares how the school's innovative approach uses hip-hop culture to empower students and prepare them for future success. Lastly, Ashley...

On this episode of OPEN, Ray Lyles, Founder & CEO of Rose Noire Productions, discusses Haus of Noire, a youth empowerment initiative that uses fashion, arts education, and wellness to help young people develop creative expression. Then, Kate Reuther, Executive Director of Uptown Stories, alongside Program Director Dorkys Ramos and student Araceli Flores, highlights the organization's creative...