This is Beacon

Born and raised in Beacon, Erika Ricottilli comes from a family deeply rooted in the community and in the beauty industry. As the owner of Saint Della Rosa Hair Collective, Erica has built more than a salon. She has created a space that reflects her passion, creativity, and commitment to the city she calls home. In this episode of This Is Beacon, Erika sits down with Brooke, Reuben, and Brianna to...

In this episode of “Untitled, for now”, Rueben, Brooke, Rob Lanier, and producer Brandon continue their ongoing discussion about city government, civic engagement, and the future of Beacon. The conversation begins with a passionate public comment from longtime resident Theresa Craft, whose remarks spark a deeper discussion about transparency, public participation, and the current structure of City...

Beacon is changing fast. The question is, do residents fully understand how and why? In this first episode of a new series, the team breaks down what’s happening across the city and why so many people feel like decisions are moving faster than they can keep up with. Joined by longtime resident and former zoning board chair Robert Lanier, the conversation pulls back the curtain on leadership transi...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of This Is Beacon, Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon welcome guest co-host Tara Simmons for a conversation celebrating the women shaping Beacon’s past, present, and future. The episode kicks off with the city buzzing after the Beacon High School Varsity Boys Basketball team’s Sectional Championship win, while also highlighting the incredible leadership behin...

In this ICYMI episode of This Is Beacon, Reuben and Brandon are joined by Jamie from Faregrounds to recap a some community work in action. They highlight the Back 2 School Block Party, 138 supply kits distributed, and the 14th Annual I Run Beacon 5K securing their fundraising goal for their Making a Difference scholarship. They introduce Turkey on Every Table and discuss what’s next with community...

In this episode of This is Beacon, hosts Reuben and Brandon engage in a deep and insightful conversation with Shandi Speller, a seasoned family peer advocate with CoveCare Center for over eight years. Shandi shares her journey from being a classroom teacher in the South Bronx to becoming a family peer advocate. She discusses the importance of addressing children's behavioral issues by involving th...

This episode of 'This is Beacon' features Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon welcoming special guest Courtney Rovere, PhD, LCSW(NY), LICSW(MA) as part of the #Jointheconversation series. The conversation centers around the importance of mental health, wellness, and Courtney's journey in the field. Courtney shares her experiences working in the Hudson Valley, her education in Boston, and the i...

In this episode of This is Beacon, part of the #Jointheconversation series, hosts Brooke, Rueben, and Brandon sit down with Licensed Mental Health Counselor JoAnn Streany, whose work spans New York, New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, and Delaware. JoAnn brings over two decades of experience as a former school counselor and now runs a remote private practice specializing in Integrated Nutrition for...

In this episode of 'This is Beacon's #jointheconversationseries, hosts Reuben, Brandon delve into an insightful discussion with actress, writer, and director Rachel Handler. As a disability advocate and a recent participant in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, Rachel shares her inspiring journey in the film industry, her relocation from Jersey City to the Hudson Valley, and the profound i...

Community Insights & Future Plans: Beacon's Q1 2025 RecapIn this episode of 'This is Beacon,' hosts Reuben and Brandon provide updates on community events, notable achievements, and future plans for Beacon, New York. The episode starts with shoutouts to community members Brooke and Brianna for their personal and business milestones. The hosts share their personal experiences attending local ev...

In this episode of the 'This is Beacon' podcast, hosts Brooke, Ruben, Brianna, and Brandon recount the highlights of 2024, share personal growth stories, and discuss their organizational goals for 2025. They talk about the impact of events such as the Back to School Block Party, the I Am Beacon 5K, and the Turkey on Every Table initiative, expressing gratitude to sponsors and community partners. A...

In this special episode for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we are honored to sit down with Tara Simmons, founder of Flip It for Life and a powerful voice for change. Tara shares her personal journey, shedding light on the challenges she has faced, the strengths she has discovered along the way, and what drives her to help others overcome adversity. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and...

In this episode, Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon chat with Beaconite Command Master Chief from Submarine Squadron One. With a distinguished career in the US Navy, Command Master Chief shares his remarkable journey and offers deep insights into leadership and personal development. Discover how his experiences have shaped his leadership philosophy and how he’s now channeling these lessons into his podca...

On this episode of This Is Beacon, Reuben, Brooke, and Brandon are back with the latest updates from Beacon. They recap the I Am Beacon Making A Difference Scholarship, discuss the Elks 100th Celebration Parade, and the Brain and Body Coalition's Mental Wellness event. The team also explores the current discussion surrounding Veteran Banners. - Register for the Back to School Block Party: http...

In this episode, Brandon and Brianna welcome two Beacon talents, Teron Wright and Devon Howard. Teron Wright, a visual artist, shares his journey from Beacon to rediscovering his passion for art. Follow his work on Instagram at thewrightexpressions. Devon Howard, also known as Noetic, discusses his music and entrepreneurial career, emphasizing community support. Connect with him on Instagram at no...

In this episode, we talk with JC Calderon, a Beacon resident and architect, about the critical role of good architecture and urban spaces in community development. JC shares his journey from Brooklyn to Beacon and discusses the importance of city planning that prioritizes public benefit. As chair of the Fishkill Avenue Corridor Ad Hoc Committee, JC provides insights into upcoming projects and the...

In this episode, lifelong Beacon resident and music aficionado Bosco Faison, along with passionate community advocate and organizer Star Gorton, share their unique perspectives on growing up in Beacon and the importance of preserving community spirit. They reflect on the rich history and cherished traditions of their city, and dive into the significance of the upcoming Juneteenth festival. From th...

Welcome back to another episode of "This is Beacon," part of our #JoinTheConversation series, where we break down the stigmas surrounding mental health. Today, we're joined by a very special guest, Michael Hanrahan. Michael's incredible journey from a diverse upbringing in Upper Manhattan to a dedicated career in mental health counseling is nothing short of inspiring. Michael sha...

In this episode of our #jointheconversation series on "This is Beacon," aimed at ending the stigma surrounding mental health, we are thrilled to welcome Jeff Hartford. Jeff, a lifelong athlete and a professional dedicated to the study and teaching of wellness practices, brings over 20 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist and fitness trainer. From his initial plans to becom...

In this compelling episode of "This Is Beacon," part of our #jointheconversation series aimed at ending the stigma surrounding mental health, we delve into the life of Allison, a holistic healer, registered nurse, Reiki practitioner, and spiritual life coach from Newburgh . Amidst lively exchanges and the sound of air horns, Allison shares her journey from growing up in the challenging environment...

Join the conversation in this episode of This is Beacon as hosts Brooke, Reuben, and Brandon welcome special guest Aditya. Part of the #jointheconversation series, Aditya shares his fascinating journey from India to Harlem to Beacon, shedding light on the significance of names and the essence of belonging. Delving into Aditya's background in computing and his transition to functional medicine, the...

In this special episode of the "This Is Beacon" podcast, hosts Reuben and Brandon engage in a reflective and candid conversation about the evolution of their podcast and its role within the broader mission of the "I Am Beacon" organization. They discuss the origins of the podcast, its development over the years, and its current format which aims to capture the voice of the city...

📣 Welcome back to Beacon's West End Story! 🏙️ In this episode, Reuben and Brooke share their reflections on the enlightening discussion with Professor Hochfelder and Connie Whitener Perdreau. We take a trip down memory lane into the experiences of West End residents, offering a glimpse into the vibrant community that once thrived. To stay connected with our ongoing journey through the rich ta...

Welcome to Beacon's West End Story! Join us on an extraordinary journey through time as we delve deep into the intricate history of Urban Renewal and its profound impact on the community of Beacon's West End. On this first episode, we have the privilege of sitting down with historian and University at Albany Professor, David Hochfelder. Together, we navigate the complex landscape of Urban...

Heather Ann Pitcher, founder of The Brain and Body Coalition, joins us to discuss the significance of BB Moore BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month. We explore the importance of self-care and upcoming events planned by the coalition to celebrate the month. Heather highlights the unique challenges faced by BIPOC individuals and emphasizes the need for cultural sensitivity in mental health initiative...