Live From the Bronx

The Live From The Bronx season finale is officially here! In this last episode, KB and Jay sit down with storyteller, author, TED Talk speaker, and MC, Joel Leon. You will quickly learn that Joel is unapologetically Black, and is on a mission to decolonize. Throughout this episode, he discusses the importance of fatherhood, love, and empathy. Joel has a really calming presence, and this episode wi...

On this Episode KB and Jay sit down with educator, singer, and Bronx native Dominique Mejia. You might know her from Making the Band, or from killing the Deborah Cox Challenge!  But she is so much more than that! Learn about her Bronx story and journey on this episode. 

It's like Deja Vu all over again because on this episode KB and Jay once again get to sit down with the very talented, and thoughtful, Brother Mike Partis. Mike is the Executive Director of the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative, and he is on the board for Youth Power Coalition (YPC). Outside of these titles he is a husband, a father, and an all around dope human. He has a very sharp politic...

On this Episode, KB and Jay celebrate their 30th episode with attorney, political commentator, and BMCC faculty member, JC Polanco. JC brings tons of energy as he talks about growing up in the Bronx in the 80’s, attending Fordham Prep as a Latino male, and his work in politics. JC offers up a unique perspective as he explains the need for us as people of color to be aligned with both parties so th...

On this Episode KB & Jay sit down with educator, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jonathan Berenguer. Out the gate Jonathan is extremely honest, vulnerable and humble as he speaks about being born premature and losing his parents at a young age. Jonathan knows about adversity, but through a combination of mentorship, spirituality and his own ingenuity he has been able to build a successfu...

A Bronx Opera singer??? Yes...you heard correctly! On this episode KB & Jay are joined by the Bronx's very own, amazing and talented Linda Collazo. Throughout this episode, Linda gets deep as she discusses her childhood, educational experience, and current career as a professional opera singer! We learned so much about her, the world of opera, and opportunities in The Bronx we didn't know exis...

...and that’s on periodttt! On this episode, Jay and KB sit down with three dope Black women from the Bronx to discuss the current state of Black women. Black women are so layered and multifaceted that one episode doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface, but it most definitely gets real on this one! We touch on everything from the injustice in the Breonna Taylor case, to the potential for our fi...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with Em aka The Hungry Dominican. Em is a writer, food blogger, and social media influencer. Em understands the power of social media, he understands food, and he has been able to marry the two to create an amazing lane for himself.  He has a sizable following on social media, but he remains humble, and is willing to give advice to newer social media influe...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with John Sanchez,  the District Manager for Community Board 6 in the Bronx. John is currently a NYC Council Candidate for the 15th district in the Bronx. On this one we get real political as John tells us about his journey into politics, his love for the Bronx, and, his campaign for City Council. We talk about everything from the role of a community board...

On this episode Jay and KB sit down with educator, and sneaker enthusiast, Eric Burnside, to discuss sneakers and pop culture! Eric talks about how he first fell in love with sneakers and how sneaker culture has evolved over the years. We also discuss the way in which young people of color have even used sneakers to start businesses for themselves. Eric is fun, and so is the episode! Definitely gi...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Napoleon Wells. Napoleon discusses the importance of people of color getting mental health support, as a method for breaking generational curses. We also get to discuss his dynamic Ted Talk about how mindfulness can be used to combat racism. Napoleon is a deep thinker, he is passionate, and he is Boogie Down to the core. Napoleon h...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with educator and entrepreneur, Amber Peters. Amber is the founder of the On Track for College app that supports students, families, and schools with the college application process. Amber shares parts of her own journey applying for college, and how some of her challenges inform her current work. She also talks about the nuances of being a Black woman in tech....

On this episode, KB & Jay sit down with Robert Pauley III, aka The Welthe Guy, aka The Professor of Style (he has a lot of nicknames, but I promise he’s earned all of them). Robert is a style expert and custom clothier. Robert takes us on a journey from his childhood growing up in the Soundview section of the Bronx to where he is today-a walking business. Robert is vulnerable when he shares wi...

On this episode, KB & Jay sit down with Omar Canales, the Social Media and Marketing Director of Seis Vecinos. Seis Vecinos is a Central American restaurant in the south Bronx that truly values community. Omar talks about how Seis Vecinos has managed to stay viable during COVID-19, and how they center The Bronx community by hiring Bronx natives and staying true to its roots. Omar knows food, b...

“Vulnerability doesn’t have to mean being sad all of the time...it’s showing what you’re thinking on the inside...” KB & Jay are back at it again with episode 19! On this episode, we sit down with founder and editor of BodegaBody.com, and producer of the Bodega Body Podcast, Rich Cebada. If you want to feel inspired and motivated to start your health journey, this is not an episode you wa...

On this episode Jay and KB get to run the streets with Lenny Grullon, the co-founder and one of the captains of the Boogie Down Bronx Runners (BDBR). The BDBR is a community running group whose mission is to help the Bronx become healthier through running. Throughout this episode, Lenny shares details about his own running journey. Lenny is honest when he shares the difficulties he faced when he f...

"Why did I feel like the only way I could relate to Black and LatinX students was by 'spitting' as a white dude"   Welcome to the School of Hip Hop with Dr. Ian Levy. On this episode Jay and KB dive deep into the world of school counseling with TED Talk speaker, professor, and MC, Dr. Ian Levy. Ian discusses his upbringing and love for school counseling while challenging us to consider Hip Ho...

Originally episode 10 was supposed to drop in late May, but after the murder of George Floyd and all the justifiable civil unrest around the country, it didn’t feel right to drop this episode then. Things are still not okay now, but even in the midst of everything going on in the world it is still important to find joy, and this episode is definitely full of Joy. KB and Jay get to sit down with en...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with Nicole Hudnell aka Nikki Knowledge! Nikki is the founder of How to Hip Hop, a youth development program that uses Hip Hop to teach literacy and entrepreneurship. Nikki is a scholar, battle rap journalist, and Seminary student. During this interview, Nikki shares stories about various battle rappers she has met over the years, who have also been amazing gues...

On this episode, KB and Jay “geek out” as they sit down with one of their favorite battle rap artist, the legendary Goodz. Whether you saw him on Sway in the morning spitting bars or standing toe-to-toe against his opponent on a battle rap stage, you know he is prepared to bless the mic. Throughout this episode, Goodz discusses strategy as he prepares to outshine opponents utilizing his humor, pun...

On this episode KB and Jay sit down with activist and community stakeholder, Magnetic 54 (Arthur). Magnetic is a proud product of the Cortland section of the Bronx. He takes us on a journey through his south Bronx neighborhood in the 80’s and describes the profound impact Hip Hop had on his development. Magnetic discusses the realities of growing up during this time and the way crack devastated th...

“Your Personal Statement Is Your Debut Album To The World.” On this episode KB and Jay sit down with educator, entrepreneur, and equity practitioner, Daitwan David. Daitwan is the founder and CEO of All My People LLC, a youth development organization that focuses on the tenants of engagement while emphasizing on the importance of decolonizing our identity. Daitwan discusses his relationship with s...

On this Episode, Jay and KB get the opportunity to sit down with two Fordham University students, Alex and Gerald. Alex and Gerald are leaders in the Fordham community who hold e-board positions for Asili, the Black Student Association at Fordham University. Asili is a Swahili word that means roots or foundation. We discuss the power of knowing your history and understanding your roots....

What is your role in dismantling institutional racism? Can you dismantle racism from within the police force? On this episode Jay and KB sit down with a sixteen year NYPD veteran officer, Ritchie Baez. Although Ritchie is a member of law enforcement, he is both an Afro-Latino man and a servant of Christ first. Fully ready to engage in a discussion about our current state, Ritchie dives deep into h...

On this episode KB & Jay are joined by Mike Partis, the Executive Director of the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative. As a hip hop historian, a cultural anthropologist and all-around thought leader, Mike takes us on a deep journey into becoming a free Black man.  We learn about Mike's origins in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx, the impact of the Garifuna Culture on his worldvie...