Uptown Voices

Uptown Voices in collaboration with Livin' Americana LLC and Uptown Collective LLC
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

A podcast focused on the Uptown neighborhoods of Inwood, Washington Heights and Harlem. Our neighborhoods have a voice and we want to be heard and felt. We love Uptown. Each episode will elevate the people here who are making a difference in the life of this community. We’re also committed to “real talk” that seeks solutions that improve the quality of life in our beautiful Uptown neighborhoods.

  1. From Chino Latino to the Middle East: Uptown Love, Global Rage & Two Friends Who Don't Always See Eye to Eye

    5D AGO

    From Chino Latino to the Middle East: Uptown Love, Global Rage & Two Friends Who Don't Always See Eye to Eye

    It started with the return of a beloved Chino Latino restaurant in Washington Heights and ended with two friends in an intense debate about the Middle East, Trump, and the future of America. That's Uptown Voices. That's Black & Blanco. In this wide-ranging episode, Led Black and Octavio Blanco cover everything happening uptown — from community arts opportunities and free childcare to the upcoming theatrical release of Mad Bills to Pay, the Sundance award-winning film set in the Bronx that Led has been championing since he first saw it at Lincoln Center last year. Then the conversation turns to the state of the world. Trump's $400 billion defense budget proposal. The war with Iran. The cost of living. The "Great Impoverishment." And a genuinely intense debate between two friends who love each other — and don't always see eye to eye. This is what honest, unscripted community media looks like. No sugarcoating. Just Uptown. If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. It costs you nothing and it means everything to us. Spread love — it's the Uptown way. SHOW NOTES🎙️ Uptown Voices Podcast Instagram: @uptownvoicespodcast YouTube: Search Uptown Voices Podcast or find us on the Uptown Collective page 🎬 Mad Bills to Pay Opening April 17th at Regal Concourse (Bronx) and Film Forum (Downtown) Follow: @madbillstopaymovie on Instagram 🎨 Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance (NoMAA) Website: nomaanyc.org Instagram: @nomaanyc Hispanic Society Outdoor Installation — $10,000 honorarium, deadline extended. Now April 6, 11:59 pm. NoMAA Labs Clown Workshop with Edu Diaz — April 21stAmerica the Beautiful? — Open call for exhibition submissions, deadline April 26thNoMAA Third Annual Benefit Night at the Palace — May 27thUptown Arts Show — June (date TBA) 🏛️ WaHi Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast  May 7th, 9am–12pm at the Armory Track & Field Center.  Uptown Voices will be live streaming the event  Register on instagram: @wahichamber  Annual Membership: $100/year | 501c3 donations tax deductible 🏫 Free Childcare — NYC 2K Program  Free childcare for 2-year-olds launching in NYC including Washington Heights & the Bronx Info: NYC.gov/childcare Jingle Contest with Cardi B — submit at NYC.gov/jingle | Hashtag: #NYC2KJingleContest | Deadline: April 13th 🎓 West Harlem Development Corporation — Free Columbia University Space  Free in-kind space for CB9 nonprofits — first come first serve, opens first Monday of each month Website: WestHarlemDC.org 🌸 Fort Tryon Park — Heather Garden Shearing & Community Parade  April 11th, 10am–1pm at Margaret Corbin Circle 🏥 Free Mammogram Screenings  April 23rd, 9am–4:30pm at River Park Towers Community Center, Bronx Courtesy of Senator Robert Jackson & the American Italian Cancer Foundation 📞 212-544-0173 | Bring photo ID (insurance not required) 🎒 Kindergarten Applications  Offers now available — call 718-935-2009 for info 🎨 Sweet Plantains — Open Call for Original Poster Art  Film by Anthony Rojas Instagram: @theanthonyrojas TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Welcome back & Happy Easter/Passover 01:14 — La Dynastia Chino Latino is back — and why it matters 05:27 — The cultural legacy of Chino Latino restaurants uptown 06:30 — Mayor Mamdani, free childcare & the NYC 2K Cardi B jingle contest 08:37 — Washington Heights & the Bronx included in free 2K pilot program 09:06 — NoMAA / Hispanic Society outdoor installation11:07 — Anthony Rojas & Sweet Plantains poster open call 12:05 — West Harlem DC free Columbia University space for CB9 nonprofits 13:34 — Fort Tryon Park Heather Garden Shearing & Broadway Beautification 15:44 — Mad Bills to Pay — April 17th theatrical release 19:27 — Octavio's take on Mad Bills to Pay 23:26 — America the Beautiful? NoMAA open call & what it means right now 25:30 — Subscribe to Uptown Voices on YouTube — almost at 500! 28:20 — WaHi Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast — May 7th 30:45 — Free mammogram screenings & kindergarten offers 33:12 — Uptown Voices newsletter revival & something new coming soon 34:00 — Follow these four accounts for uptown community news 34:55 — The conversation shifts: Trump, war & the state of the world 38:14 — "The Great Impoverishment is Real" 41:45 — Trump's $400 billion defense budget — who does it really serve? 44:19 — The Middle East, colonial history & the cat's out the bag 51:53 — Iran, Israel & where Led and Octavio diverge 1:20:08 — A heated moment — two friends, one real disagreement 1:22:57 — Spread love, it's the Uptown way

    1h 26m
  2. Annette Aguilar on Cuba, Community & Why Uptown is Home

    MAR 24

    Annette Aguilar on Cuba, Community & Why Uptown is Home

    Annette Aguilar is many things — Afro Latin Jazz drummer, percussionist, educator, and one of Uptown's greatest treasures. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, toured Africa as a Latin Jazz Ambassador, played the Havana Jazz Festival, and earned two masters degrees. She could be anywhere. She chooses Inwood. And Uptown is better for it. In this episode of Uptown Voices, Led Black and Octavio Blanco sit down with this beloved Inwood neighbor for a wide-ranging conversation as rich and layered as the music she plays. Annette traces her journey from San Francisco's Mission District — where she grew up surrounded by Santana, Sly and the Family Stone, and the roots of Latin rock — to Washington Heights in the mid-80s, when the neighborhood was at the height of the crack epidemic. She talks about arriving as a grad student at Manhattan School of Music and never really leaving. From there the conversation goes deep: her two trips to Cuba with Arturo O'Farrill and Bronx Banda, performing at the Havana Jazz Festival; her Kennedy Center Latin Jazz Ambassador tour through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Rwanda, and Eswatini; her decades teaching at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music; and her ongoing work with Jazz Power Initiative bringing jazz education to young people across the city. Annette also opens up about losing her mother recently, the extraordinary work ethic her Nicaraguan-born mom modeled for her, and why — after a life of touring the world — Inwood is still home. And she's not slowing down. On March 27th, she's bringing a 20-piece orchestra to the ACTS Building in Inwood for a Women's History Month celebration with Jazz Power Initiative. Don't sleep on it. If this episode moved you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who loves Uptown. It costs you nothing and it means everything to us. Spread love — it's the Uptown way. SHOW NOTES🥁 Guest: Annette Aguilar 📍 Follow Annette on Instagram: @aaabeans🎵 Jazz Power Initiative Website: jazzpower.org Instagram: @jazzpowerinitiative🎙️ Uptown Voices Podcast Instagram: @uptownvoicespodcast YouTube: Search Uptown Voices Podcast or find us on the Uptown Collective page 00:21 — Welcome & intro to Annette Aguilar 00:55 — Annette's busy day: teaching, rehearsing & running 02:22 — Teaching percussion at Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music 03:28 — How Annette stays so energized 04:43 — Arriving in Washington Heights in the mid-80s 05:01 — Losing her mother & the force she was 08:20 — Where the love of music comes from: San Francisco's Mission District 09:28 — Santana, Tito Puente & the roots of Afro Latin Jazz 13:34 — Two trips to Cuba & the Havana Jazz Festival 21:37 — Kennedy Center Latin Jazz Ambassador tour: Africa 27:35 — Teaching Latin jazz to African youth 31:43 — Has Annette ever thought about writing a book? 35:29 — Inwood's evolution & the LGBTQ community 37:50 — The uptown jazz scene & Jazz Power Initiative 41:58 — The March 27th Women's History Month concert 47:18 — Why Inwood is home 49:31 — Taking care of her hands as a percussionist 51:23 — Led's moth story & Lin-Manuel Miranda 1:02:29 — Where to follow Annette & what's coming up 1:05:26 — In the North — Annette's album tribute to Washington Heights & Inwood #UptownVoices #Inwood #WashingtonHeights #UpperManhattan #AfroLatinJazz #LatinJazz #AnnettAguilar #JazzPercussion #JazzDrummer #NYCJazz #HarlemJazz #SouthBronx #BronxBanda #JazzPowerInitiative #WomensHistoryMonth #UptownNYC #NYCMusic #CommunityFirst #UptownCollective #NewYorkCity

    1h 11m
  3. Springtime Uptown: Celebrating Our Art, Confronting Our Moment

    MAR 22

    Springtime Uptown: Celebrating Our Art, Confronting Our Moment

    Spring has arrived and Uptown is alive — Led Black and Octavio Blanco kick off with a packed roundup of what's happening in the community: free summer camps, a $10K public art opportunity at the Hispanic Society, local artists lighting up subway elevators, and a 20-piece jazz orchestra led by the legendary Annette Aguilar. They make the case for Mad Bills to Pay, a must-see Dominican film hitting Film Forum and the Regal Concourse on April 17th, and rave about Mexodus, a jaw-dropping two-man musical headed to Broadway. Then the conversation shifts — from the exposure of Cesar Chavez's abuse of Dolores Huerta, to the Overton window on Israel and Palestine, to the accelerating collapse of American democracy and what it means for communities like ours. Equal parts block party and wake-up call, this is Uptown Voices at its most real. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Uptown Voices 02:16 Community Engagement and Local Opportunities 04:39 Celebrating Local Artists and Art Initiatives 06:59 Spotlight on Annette Aguilar and Jazz Power Initiative 09:37 The Importance of Supporting Local Art 11:46 People's Theatre and Community Resilience 13:36 Women in the Heights Art Show 15:24 Mad Bills to Pay: A Film to Support 19:23 Cultural Representation in Film 22:24 Mexodus: A Unique Musical Experience 31:04 Celebrating Local Artists and Community Events 33:30 Luis Miranda's Shift to the Arts 37:46 Addressing Community Challenges and Historical Figures 42:42 The Importance of Leadership and Accountability 45:17 Understanding the Overton Window and Current Discourse 51:38 The Path Forward: Community and Solidarity 58:28 Uptown Voices Outtro 2026.mp4

    1 hr
  4. Why the Iran Crisis Could Collapse the U.S. Economy — And What It Means for You

    MAR 22

    Why the Iran Crisis Could Collapse the U.S. Economy — And What It Means for You

    In this episode of Uptown Voices, we dive deep into the complex web of current global crises, particularly focusing on the unprecedented disruptions in oil markets, the geopolitical maneuvers in Iran, Israel, and Russia, and their profound impacts on the U.S. economy. With insights from independent oil trader Chris Lewis, we explore the risks, the underlying strategies, and the potential future scenarios that could reshape the world order. This episode underscores the dire necessity of understanding the interconnectedness of geopolitical strife and economic stability as we face a rapidly changing world order. Key topics discussed:The strategic significance of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s blockade and its impact on global oil supplyHow current geopolitical conflicts threaten to escalate into broader economic and military crisesThe internal contradictions and failures of U.S. foreign policy under the current administrationThe immediate effects on gas prices, inflation, and the broader economy in America and around the globeTraditional market instruments like ETFs, futures, and options in a volatile geopolitical landscapeThe potential for a shift toward economic secession by states like California and New YorkThe rise of China and the decline of American global influenceThe risks of nuclear escalation and potential war scenarios with Iran and beyondThe systemic erosion of American democracy, the influence of the wealthy oligarchs, and the internal political decay Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the show and today’s urgent topics02:28 - The impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on global oil prices03:56 - Iran’s strategic move to choke off the Strait of Hormuz and implications05:17 - The biggest blunder in American foreign policy and the escalation trap08:04 - Deep dive into the lack of an exit strategy and the role of Israel13:57 - How oil prices are influenced by market speculation and geopolitical uncertainties16:21 - The rising costs of gasoline, diesel, and their effects on consumers and logistics20:02 - Financial implications for Americans: 401k strategies and wealth transfer24:37 - The economic fallout: inflation, supply chain chaos, and corporate layoffs30:41 - The future outlook: escalating prices, potential $200 oil, and global realignment36:52 - The weakening of American democracy and the rise of global powers like China and Russia43:35 - Internal breakdown: media manipulation, misinformation, and internal national crises54:53 - Iran’s internal resistance, radicalization, and global threats64:23 - Predicted societal impacts: impoverishment and the redefinition of wealth72:16 - Closing thoughts and specific calls to actionResources & Links:

    1h 9m
  5. The Darializa Avila Chevalier Interview. How she's Challenging Adriano Espaillat in Uptown Manhattan

    MAR 8

    The Darializa Avila Chevalier Interview. How she's Challenging Adriano Espaillat in Uptown Manhattan

    In this in-depth interview, Darializa Avila Chevalier discusses her campaign for Congress in District 13, addressing critical issues like housing affordability, community organizing, foreign policy, and the influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their impact on U.S. politics and society. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:48 Personal Connections to Uptown and Motivation to Run 01:40 Structural Issues in the Community and Personal Organizing Work 02:49 Housing Crisis and Political Critique of Espayal 04:15 Addressing Housing Affordability and Corporate Landlords 05:59 Investing in NYCHA and Public Housing Repairs 08:19 Other Community Concerns: Childhood Poverty and ICE 09:16 Foreign Policy, Palestine, and U.S. Support for Israel 17:48 Community Response to Israel-Palestine Conflict 23:57 Campaign Funding, AIPAC, and Electoral Strategy 27:19 Messaging to Latino and Senior Voters 32:13 Historical Background and Personal Family Story 35:26 How to Support the Campaign and Get Involved

    1h 15m
  6. Global Tensions and Local Voices: Analyzing the Middle East Crisis - Black & Blanco LIVE!

    MAR 2

    Global Tensions and Local Voices: Analyzing the Middle East Crisis - Black & Blanco LIVE!

    Join Led Black and Octavio Blanco as they explore local community events, cultural initiatives, and critical global issues including the recent escalation in Middle East tensions. This episode offers insights into community activism, local opportunities, and geopolitical analysis. Key Topics: Community engagement and local events in Washington Heights Cultural initiatives supporting local artists and youth Analysis of recent Middle East tensions and US foreign policy Chapters: 00:00 Celebrating Community Events and Local Culture 05:23 Opportunities for Local Youth and Community Engagement 10:10 Art and Culture: Celebrating Women in the Heights 15:26 Community Issues and Local Governance 20:17 Health Initiatives and Community Support 25:02 Film and Storytelling: Highlighting Dominican Voices 32:59 The Provocative Killing of Ayatollah Khomeini 34:25 Understanding Shiism and Its Historical Context 35:59 The Legal and Political Implications of War 37:37 Historical Context: The 1953 Coup in Iran 39:28 The Complexity of Iranian Identity and Politics 40:49 The Aggression of Israel and Its Historical Roots 42:33 The Role of Colonialism in Middle Eastern Conflicts 45:02 The Nature of the Israeli State and Its Actions 46:25 The British Stance on Current Conflicts 50:02 The Influence of Christian Nationalism on U.S. Policy 51:35 The Historical Roots of Zionism and Its Impact 53:49 The Consequences of U.S. Military Aid to Israel 57:59 The Need for Political Accountability and Change

    1h 1m
  7. Art as Activism: Andrea Arroyo's Journey

    FEB 24

    Art as Activism: Andrea Arroyo's Journey

    In this episode of Uptown Voices, Led Black and Octavio Blanco engage with artist Andrea Arroyo, discussing her impactful work in the art community, particularly through the Women in the Heights exhibition. They explore the theme of 'Shade' in her upcoming joint art exhibit with NOMAA artists, the importance of community building among artists, and the role of art as a response to societal issues. Andrea shares her experiences in France, her cultural roots, and the significance of optimism and the “Sacred Feminine” in her work. The conversation highlights the transformative power of art and the necessity of nurturing creativity in challenging times. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Uptown Voices and Andrea Arroyo 01:44 Women in the Heights: Celebrating Female Artists 03:04 Exploring the Theme of 'Shade' in Art 06:22 The Economic Impact of Women in the Heights 08:49 Creating Opportunities for Artists 11:58 Art as a Response to Current Events 14:49 The Power of Art in Activism 18:38 Cultural Roots and Artistic Expression 22:42 Choosing Washington Heights as a Home 25:01 Experiences in France: Art and Perception 30:14 Emotional Resilience in Art Creation 32:53 Fearlessness in Addressing Tough Topics 39:56 The Importance of the Sacred Feminine 46:23 Optimism in Challenging Times 49:32 Future Projects and Closing Thoughts

    55 min
  8. State Senator Robert Jackson: Getting involved in local politics is vital for community improvement

    FEB 10

    State Senator Robert Jackson: Getting involved in local politics is vital for community improvement

    In this engaging podcast episode, Senator Robert Jackson discusses his journey into public service, emphasizing the importance of education, community safety, and affordable housing. He shares insights on the challenges faced by his constituents, particularly in immigrant communities, and highlights the need for legislative efforts to address these issues. The conversation also touches on the significance of Black History Month and the ongoing drug crisis in the community, advocating for a balanced approach to harm reduction and rehabilitation. Senator Jackson encourages listeners to get involved in their communities and make their voices heard. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Senator Robert Jackson 03:10 Senator Jackson's Journey into Public Service 10:00 The Importance of Education in Community Upliftment 16:31 Addressing Housing Issues in the Community 20:48 Preparing for Immigration Challenges 23:07 Healthcare and Community Safety 28:29 The Role of Local Government in Community Issues 31:35 The Significance of Black History Month 36:34 Addressing Drug Addiction in the Community 43:59 Support for Local Leadership and Initiatives

    56 min
See All (55)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast focused on the Uptown neighborhoods of Inwood, Washington Heights and Harlem. Our neighborhoods have a voice and we want to be heard and felt. We love Uptown. Each episode will elevate the people here who are making a difference in the life of this community. We’re also committed to “real talk” that seeks solutions that improve the quality of life in our beautiful Uptown neighborhoods.

Information

  • Creator
    Uptown Voices in collaboration with Livin' Americana LLC and Uptown Collective LLC
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Uptown Voices

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