Uptown Voices

In this episode of Uptown Voices, Led and Octavio discuss a range of topics including current events, political dynamics, community issues, and the influence of hip-hop culture. They reflect on personal experiences, the importance of activism, and the power of people to effect change in their communities.  The conversation emphasizes the need for solidarity among marginalized groups and the role o...

In this episode of Uptown Voices, Led Black and Octavio Blanco sit down with James Lee, the proprietor of 181/Cabrini, to discuss the evolution of nightlife and the restaurant industry in Washington Heights, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They reflect on the community aspect of dining, the challenges of running a restaurant, and the impact of gentrification. James shares insights on the imp...

In this episode of Black & Blanco on the Uptown Voices podcast, hosts Led Black and Octavio Blanco discuss various topics including the upcoming NOMAA exhibit, the importance of local artists, new business openings in Washington Heights, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They also delve into political commentary, the impact of social media, and the implications of AI technology on societ...

Summary In this episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Octavio Blanco and Led Black engage with Claudette Brady, the executive director of Save Harlem Now. The conversation explores the importance of preserving Harlem's architectural and cultural heritage, the resilience of the African American community, and the challenges faced in the preservation process. Claudette shares insights into the historical...

Summary: In this episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Led Black and Octavio Blanco celebrate the 20th episode milestone, reflecting on their journey and the importance of community engagement. They discuss their experiences at the New York Latino Film Festival, highlighting cultural narratives and personal stories. The conversation delves into the impact of social media on culture, the significance of...

In this episode of the Uptown Voices podcast, Led Black and Octavio Blanco sit down with Michael Palma Mir, the executive director of the West Harlem Arts Alliance. They discuss the activation of the Innovation Triangle in West Harlem, the importance of community engagement, and the role of the arts in fostering a vibrant neighborhood. Michael shares insights into the challenges faced by local art...

Summary In this episode, Led Black and Octavio Blanco discuss the significance of the New York Latino Film Festival, highlighting its role in showcasing Latino talent and culture. They explore the top films to watch at the festival, the importance of representation in the film industry, and the growth of Latino filmmaking. The conversation also touches on community engagement, personal experiences...

Join Led Black and Octavio Blanco as they engage in a thought-provoking discussion on the current state of race relations in America. This episode delves into the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, exploring its implications and the broader context of racism and power dynamics in society. Key Topics: The impact of Charlie Kirk's assassination on race relations. Historical context and the role o...

In this compelling episode of Uptown Voices, we delve into the political challenges and censorship faced by artists, featuring the renowned Felipe Galindo, also known as Feggo. Join hosts Led Black and Octavio Blanco as they explore the impact of political climates on artistic expression, highlighting Galindo's personal experiences with censorship by the Trump Administration and the broader implic...

In this episode of Uptown Voices, join hosts Led Black and Octavio Blanco as they dive into a vibrant conversation with Marco Shalma, the visionary behind the Uptown Night Market and Bronx Night Market. Discover Marco's journey from an immigrant to a community leader, his passion for supporting local businesses, and the cultural impact of his events. From the challenges of organizing large-scale f...

In this episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Led Black and Octavio Blanco discuss the importance of community, culture, and the arts in Uptown. They reflect on their personal experiences, highlight local heroes, and address pressing issues such as the drug epidemic and gentrification. The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement and solutions to improve the neighborhood, while also sha...

As the New York Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary in September, Calixto Chinchilla, who founded the premiere showcase of Latinx motion pictures in New York while still living with his mother in public housing in 1998, joins Led and Octavio in an inspirational episode of Uptown Voices.  Chinchilla's grit and perseverance helped him land a key meeting with HBO, establishing NYLFF as a co...

Uptown housing attorney Ellery Ireland has represented tenants across the city as they battle landlords. He joins Led and Octavio to discuss what it takes to fight against predatory landlords. This is not a nuts and bolts conversation about do this and do that to beat your landlord - it's just not that easy - it's a discussion about who has power and what it takes for tenants to recognize theirs a...

Led and Octavio chop it up about their feelings about the podcast, how things are going in the neighborhood, Leo season... and a lot more.  No guests, just the hosts of the Uptown Voices podcast, two guys from the neighborhood, catching up on things as they reminisce on the historic podcast that they are producing.

CIty Council representative Carmen De La Rosa joins Led and Octavio on the Uptown Voices podcast for a wide ranging conversation.  In this episode we learn about her origins as a daughter of immigrants who grew up on Post Avenue in Inwood, the northern-most neighborhood of Manhattan Island.  She also discusses the state of the Uptown community (District 10) and what needs to happen as the Executiv...

@artbydario draws vibrant scenes celebrating life in the beloved Uptown neighborhood where he grew up. His images are vibrant representations of what many of us walk past everyday, sometimes without noticing, or at the very least, taking for granted the characters that exist in the background of our lives. Ruben Dario, named after a Nicaraguan poet, never takes the small details for granted and br...

Johanna Garcia, a member of the Save Fort Washington Collegiate Church, now rebranded as The Fort Washington Community Church, joins Led and Octavio to discuss what the next steps are for her congregation and to raise awareness about what the ongoing loss of our community spaces means for our neighborhood.  This important episode of Uptown Voices describes latest turn of events in negotiations wit...

Join Led and Octavio on Uptown Voices as they sit down with Maria Lizardo, the dynamic executive director of NMIC. Since 1979, NMIC has been a beacon of hope, expanding from Uptown to The Bronx.  Maria's story is powerful. Hear her describe how her mother's immigrant tenacity, unwavering belief in education, and dedication to community service shaped a lifelong mission to help New Yorkers thrive....

In this episode of Uptown Voices, members of the Upper Manhattan Tenants Union join Led and Octavio, on the eve of Zohran Mamdani's historic primary win, to discuss their group's fight against what they see as some of the most infamous landlords in the city and what they say is class warfare against tenants.  Tenants say that landlords are purposely, and in a coordinated way, withholding  capital...

In this episode of Uptown Voices Led and Octavio are joined by David Hunt, co-owner of Coogan's to remember his friend and business partner, Peter Walsh. To know Peter Walsh was to love Peter Walsh. Since 1985, Coogan’s was a Washington Heights institution that welcomed one and all and Peter was the soul, spirit and beating heart of that place. Peter personified the very essence of Coogan’s. Peter...

In this episode Mino Lora, Artistic Director of The People's Theater Immigrant Cultural Center's Executive Artistic Director & Co-Founder, joins Led and Octavio in conversation about the upcoming state of the art performance space on 206th street in Inwood, opening in the Fall of 2026. Mino is a powerhouse of the Upper Manhattan community. She's been helping build community here, welcome new i...

Franck de Las Mercedes joins Led and Octavio to discuss his latest project: You Are Here. He also takes us on his journey, from leaving Nicaragua with nothing and landing in Washington Heights as a kid in 1985, to becoming a world renowned artist - still based in his beloved Washington Heights.

In this episode Avi Garelick, of the Northern Manhattan Community Land Trust joins Octavio and Led to discuss how the NMCLT is helping tenants become owners of the buildings their landlords are neglecting.

In this debut episode Led and Octavio introduce their new podcast: Uptown Voices and then interview the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) Director Niria Leyva-Gutierrez and Uptown Arts Stroll coordinator Martin Collins about their history of advocacy and collaboration with the Upper Manhattan arts community.