Communitas of New York

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 abo...

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, agric...

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, profe...

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 v...

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 engagem...

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, lea...

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 mus...

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 f...

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,...

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 relations...

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. Mars...

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...

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 th...

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 resident...

Jessica Valencia, co-founder of and Head of Communications at UnlockNYC, is driving the women-led effort to provide direct services, data analysis, and advocacy in order to implement a power shift where landlords and brokers fear the social and financial costs of discriminating against voucher holders. Hear Jessica recount her personal story as she discusses with host Monique T. Marshall the chall...

Vicky Garalina, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and doctoral-degree holder in education, is the founder and executive director of Inspiring Futures, Inc, a nonprofit organization through which she improves high school and college graduation rates for young people with system involvement by providing free and comprehensive mental health and academic support. Vicky and host Monique T. Marshall discu...

Co-founder and CEO of Hera Health Solutions, Idicula Mathew is at the forefront of drug delivery technology, owing to his investigation of the synergy between biodegradable materials and pharmaceutical drug delivery of therapeutics to the human body. Idicula and host Monique T. Marshall discuss ensuring compliance with regulatory bodies in the health sector while maintaining high levels of innovat...

An entrepreneur and doctoral-degree-holder in chemistry, Jiye Son, who previously worked in New York City nail salons, is now using her knowledge and experience to engineer a less volatile and safer alternative to nail polishes and gels that are widely used today. In this fascinating conversation, Jiye and host Monique T. Marshall discuss issues of trying to find time to apply for programs and gra...

An experienced behavior specialist working in the individual and family services and health industries, Lucas Addo is the Founder of TRAC Activities. As a dedicated advocate for individuals with autism, he creates and fosters more personalized and engaging learning experiences for that population in nurturing and supportive environments. Alongside TRAC Activities, Lucas is the founder of Eleos Beh...

Artist, art educator, and Founder/CEO of Stapledon Arts, Charlecia Joy, runs an inclusive art supply company transforming creativity by addressing the representation gap for artists of color. Joy and host Monique T. Marshall tackle the topics of meeting a stakeholder where they are, developing a physical product, and experiencing the beauty of receiving feedback. How does an entrepreneur nurture a...

The founder and CEO of Grassroots Grocery, a fast-growing nonprofit transforming food access through community-powered produce distributions, mobilizes thousands of volunteers and distributes millions of pounds of fresh produce to underserved neighborhoods across New York City. Dan and host Monique T. Marshall discuss vulnerability, the willingness to learn from mistakes, and the importance of foc...