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 implications for freedom of expression in the US and globally. Discover how artists navigate these turbulent waters and continue to create impactful work despite the obstacles. Tune in for an insightful discussion on art, politics, resistance and resilience.

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 festivals to the joy of seeing small vendors thrive, Marco shares insights and stories that highlight the spirit of Uptown New York. Marco emphasizes the significance of creating authentic experiences in the community, shifting mindsets from scarcity to abundance, and the value of mentorship and financial literacy for future generations. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on innovation, community, and the power of perseverance.

takeaways

• Marco Shalma is a key figure in promoting uptown culture.
• The Latin Food Fest serves as a cultural celebration and community gathering.
• Food acts as a gateway to understanding and appreciating different cultures.
• The Uptown Night Market created a unique space for community engagement.
• Evolving events is essential to keep them relevant and impactful.
• Supporting local entrepreneurs is crucial for community growth.
• Success stories from the Uptown Night Market demonstrate its impact on vendors.
• Building a supportive community fosters innovation and creativity.
• Cultural events can change perceptions of neighborhoods.
• The future of uptown events looks promising with new initiatives planned. Setting a high standard in community engagement is crucial.
• Effective team management requires adaptability and clear communication.
• Community and small businesses are vital for local growth.
• Marco's immigrant journey shaped his entrepreneurial spirit.
• Resilience is key when navigating business challenges.
• The night market concept was born from a vision of community.
• Facing adversity can lead to legendary moments in business.
• Authenticity is essential in creating community experiences.
• Shifting from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance is necessary for growth.
• Mentorship and financial literacy are vital for empowering the next generation.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Marco Shalma and His Vision

01:37: The Latin Food Fest: A Cultural Celebration

05:59: The Evolution of the Uptown Night Market

08:57: The Impact of the Uptown Night Market

12:24: Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Innovations

20:55: Transformative Stories of Vendors and Performers

26:28: Building a Supportive Community for Artists and Entrepreneurs

36:16: The Importance of Community and Small Business

39:08: Marco's Journey: From Immigrant to Community Leader

45:56: Innovating the Night Market Experience

48:05: Creating an Inclusive Community Space

50:21: The Hard Work Behind Seamless Events

51:17: Overcoming Challenges and Building Resilience

54:04: Moments That Define a Leader

57:48: The Vision for Future Events

58:56: Shifting Mindsets: From Scarcity to Abundance

01:01:30: The Importance of Authenticity in Business

01:07:34: Giving Back and Supporting the Community

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 sharing insights from their travels and the impact of recent political developments.

Takeaways

Uptown Voices aims to highlight the community's culture and issues.

Community engagement is crucial for addressing local challenges.

The arts play a significant role in uplifting the neighborhood.

Travel experiences can provide new perspectives on local issues.

The drug epidemic is a pressing concern for the community.

Gentrification is a real threat that needs to be addressed.

Political engagement is essential for community improvement.

Local heroes and events should be celebrated and recognized.

Building community connections can lead to positive change.

It's important to open our eyes to the realities of our neighborhoods.

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 cornerstone of the Latino film industry. His strength and tenacity has also helped open the doors to an industry, well-known for its insularity, for countless young creators.

For 25 years, Chinchilla and the NYLFF have not only shined a much-needed spotlight on Latino films they've also, since the very first festival, created a latino film marketplace, where filmmakers can not only get much needed attention, but where they can strike deals.

Tune in for never-before told behind the scenes stories of what happened over a quarter century at the premiere Latino film festival in New York City.

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 and to put it into effect.

Ellery, who has a historian's knowledge of rent law in New York guides us through a journey. How was housing-court as we know it created - and for whom.

This episode isa fascinating look at rent law in New York. Join us!

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 Executive Branch of the US government focuses its threats on our neighbors. You'll also hear about the impact of On Point, safe injection site (that was approved for operations at midnight, the last night of the De Blasio administration as power transitioned to Eric Adams) and the challenge of the addiction, mental health and housing crises which our neighborhood has been shouldering.

Councilwoman De La Rosa is proud of her work and praises her staff for its grit and determination to help members of the district she represents to navigate the myriad of issues they bring to her office. Her hope is that the responsiveness she show to her constituents will be her legacy.

Join us for this eye opening conversation on Uptown Voices!

@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 brings forward the images, people and objects that make up the wallpaper of our existence. Dario takes the mundane aspects of our lives, infuses them with Dominican imagery, and places them on a pedestal so that they can be honored .

He discovered his aptitude for drawing at an early age., but never considered a professional career in art. The COVID pandemic changed all that. That's when he decided to leave his successful but unfulfilling sales and banking career to pursue his art professionally.

With the unwavering support of his wife, Rosdaly Ramirez, he's had a number of winning collaborations with the likes of Moleskine, Snipes, Soundcloud, Harper Collins, Converse, Yandel and more. Always highlighting his neighbors and their energy - the superpower of the immigrant in the United States.

Join Led and Octavio in this heartfelt and fun conversation with @artbydario on this episode of Uptown Voices!