Epicenter NYC Epicenter NYC

Danielle Copper suffered from severe eczema in her teens and early twenties. And despite numerous consultations with dermatologists and treatments like antibiotics, creams, and cortisone shots, her condition didn’t improve.

So she decided create her own skincare products – starting with a face soap. She saw an immediate improvement in her skin and confidence. Encouraged by her own results, Danielle left her job as a 911 operator and founded Agamems Beauty to help others with similar issues. The company is built on the idea of using natural ingredients to provide effective skincare solutions.

In this episode we sit down with Danielle to hear more about her journey.


https://agamems.com/ 

https://epicenter-nyc.com/small-biz-spotlight/

https://www.chervitality.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not too long ago I was heading home after a trek through Forest Park and saw a swarm of black-colored birds — hundreds of them — in the sky, trees and power lines, on rooftops and lawns and on sidewalks across the street. Fascinated by the super-flock, I consulted a couple bird experts, sharing pictures and a video. 

Paul Sweet, a collection manager at the American Museum of Natural History’s ​​department of ornithology, was one of the experts who confirmed that these weren’t crows, but common grackles. Sweet, a Brooklyn resident, has worked at the museum for 32 years. One of the most common misconceptions he’s heard is the one I brought up.


https://epicenter-nyc.com/mistaking-blackbirds-with-hitchcocks-in-queens/ 

https://www.nycgovparks.org/places-to-go/birding

https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/birding

https://www.nycaudubon.org/events-birding/programs-and-events/local-trips-classes

https://www.feministbirdclub.org/

https://www.instagram.com/latinooutdoors_nyc/

https://www.meetup.com/outdoor-afro-ny/

https://www.amnh.org/research/vertebrate-zoology/ornithology
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On weekend nights, Puerto Viejo in Prospect Heights is packed with New Yorkers and visitors alike. Many stay for hours, sipping morir soñando and eating sancocho while chatting with friends or longtime restaurant staff. In this episode we sit down with Maritza Abreu, the daughter of founders Cristina and Eduardo Abreu. Maritza is now in charge of marketing and events for the family restaurant. And her parents' work has also inspired her to start a business of her own – a hot sauce company called “Pisqueya”. 


https://epicenter-nyc.com/resilience-on-the-menu-at-authentic-dominican-restaurant/

https://www.puertoviejony.com/

https://pisqueya.com/products/pisqueya-smoky-hot-sauce
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Mets owner Steve Cohen’s proposal to build a casino and entertainment complex at Citi Field is in limbo, some community advocates are questioning whether the harms outweigh the benefits. And during the February casino town hall, several residents, some of whom are of East Asian descent, questioned the casino’s proximity to Flushing’s Asian American community. Two of  them argued that members of the community “tend to gamble a lot.” While some attendees cheered in agreement, others found the comments stereotypical and harmful.

In this episode we sit down with two experts to learn more about where the stereotype of the “Asian problem gambler” comes from, how casino marketing targets Asian Americans, and how communities can address this issue.


https://epicenter-nyc.com/the-truth-behind-the-asian-gambler-stereotype/

https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-critics-of-the-proposed-citi-field-casino-want-you-to-know-more-about-gambling-addiction/

https://nyproblemgambling.org/

https://www.minkwon.org/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Lolita Malone was growing up with three younger sisters and their baby brother in rural Jamaica, she and her siblings shared clothes, shoes, and pretty much everything. They had a tiny allowance but big fashion dreams, so they would hit up thrift shops and cut and upcycle clothes.

Now, decades later, Lolita and her daughter, Maui, have launched a Manhattan-based fashion brand of their own: Maui x Lolita. Their designs are for bold, daring women who want to take risks when it comes to what they wear. In this episode we sit down with Lolita to learn about the story behind Maui x Lolita and what’s next.


https://epicenter-nyc.com/a-mother-daughter-duo-creates-the-clothes-the-fashion-industrys-been-missing/ 

https://mauixlolita.com/ 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December, reggaeton legend Daddy Yankee announced his plan to dedicate himself to Christianity. He dropped the bombshell on a farewell tour while a drone depicted a giant cross and the message “Christ is coming.” Daddy Yankee’s move follows other icons like Farruko, Julio Voltio, El General. But that’s not the only thing they have in common. So why do reggaeton artists who’ve announced their devotion to religion happen to be middle-aged men? 

In this episode you’ll hear from historians, theologians and experts of the Puerto Rican experience as we answer this question.


https://epicenter-nyc.com/why-are-reggaeton-superstars-ditching-their-music-for-god/

https://twitter.com/jjrodv/status/1734797704146895134?s=46&t=0SNllaIm9HWHZqj9bMYvxA 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.