4 Bronx CommuniTea Podcast

4 Bronx CommuniTea Podcast

by Laura Levine-Pinedo

Season 1

Episode 44- CommuniTea Chat with Noah Aris - The Cardamom Man

Join us as we meet Noah Aris, The Cardamom Man. “The Cardamom Man is something special to me because it encompasses everything I love about life into one delicious bite! So who am I? My name is Noah Aris and I am the founder of The Cardamom Man. I grew up in The Bronx, NY and come from an Israeli/Iraqi background. I consider myself very lucky for having grown up in New York City because it gave me the opportunity to be exposed to so many different types of food and cultures throughout my life. After I graduated from college I worked at various Hyatt hotels for a few years before joining a tech startup which catered to the hotel industry for another few years. These jobs enabled me to travel around the globe (I was on an airplane about 2-4 times per week at many points!) and gave me the opportunity to really dive into all these new desserts I was encountering with fantastic colors and strange yet alluring tastes. It was truly a dream come true for someone like me who has a HUGE sweet tooth! When I was younger I used to be a picky eater and as I've grown up and out of that phase, I've also discovered that not everyone around us has. I've also met many people who don't like to travel and who don't even have a passport! Creating and transforming new sweets and treats allows me to transport anyone willing to try them across the globe from the comfort of their home. I love to share the experiences I've had travelling all over the world, including living in NYC by using spices and flavors that turn your everyday desserts into quite the unexpected and simply sublime experience for your taste buds to enjoy!"

Episode 43 - CommuniTea Chat with Amaurys Grullon, AKA The Bronx Native

Join is as we meet Amaurys Grullon. He is a multipotentialite artist and creative social entrepreneur based in The South Bronx and is the Co-Founder & CEO of Bronx Native & Tag Up Studios. He is a community leader elevating and moving the culture forward by way of his multiple business endeavors and the, Change the Narrative, non-profit dedicated to creating social change and creating equity for all. Amaurys has had the pleasure of collaborating with notable brands such as Nike, Paypal, NYCXDESIGN, Master Card, Netflix and more and his work has been featured in The New York Times, ABC, Business Insider, Forbes, and The New York Post and most recently graced the stage of the TEDx Bronx.

Episode 42 - CommuniTea Chat with Giuseppina Corrado

Join is as we meet Giuseppina Corrado, Professional Organizer and owner of Organize With GC. As a former educator, she is passionate about alleviating the stresses of busy family life. Giusseppina has curated a one-stop shop for all of your relocating needs. With an array of "done-for-you" services, you and your loved ones will feel right at home without lifting a finger.

Episode 41 - CommuniTea Chat with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz

Join us as we meet Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz. Jeffrey Dinowitz was elected to the New York State Assembly to represent the 81st Assembly District in the Bronx on February 15, 1994. He led a team of reformers that swept into party* office in 1986 and built a strong and vibrant party* in the 81st A.D. The district includes Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village, Kingsbridge Heights, Marble Hill, Norwood, Woodlawn and Wakefield. Assemblyman Dinowitz chairs the Assembly Committee on Codes. He also serves on the Rules, Ways and Means, Health and Election Law committees. He previously chaired the Committees on Judiciary, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Aging, and Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. He is an outspoken supporter of addressing historic funding inequities in New York’s public education system by increasing aid to New York City schools, protecting tenants' rights and supporting homeowners, supporting mass transit, and taking substantial climate action to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Assemblyman Dinowitz has authored numerous laws throughout his tenure, including the Anti-Human Trafficking Act (2007), National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (2014), the MTA Lockbox (2018), Non-Medical Vaccine Exemption Repeal (2019), and the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act (2020/21). Jeffrey Dinowitz believes elected officials should pay particular attention to neighborhood issues and individual constituent problems. His district office has helped thousands of people cut through government red tape with city, state and federal agencies. Whether it was leading the fight against the multi-billion dollar boondoggle water filtration plant, helping to spearhead the creation of a business improvement district in Kingsbridge or being a major force in the creation of two new middle/high schools in Riverdale and Kingsbridge, Assemblyman Dinowitz has always been outspoken on every issue important to his constituents. He has represented his community in a number of political capacities. He was elected as a State Committeeman* in 1978 and served as a District Leader* from 1986 to 1994. He served as a Delegate to his party’s* National Convention in 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, Chair of his party’s* County Committee in the Bronx from 2008 to 2016, and Secretary of his party's County Committee in the Bronx from 2018 to present. Born in 1954, Jeffrey Dinowitz has lived in the Bronx all of his life. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York, the Bronx High School of Science and Bronx public schools. He has been married to Sylvia Gottlieb since 1978. They have two children and four grandchildren. Prior to his election to the Assembly he served as an Administrative Law Judge for the State of New York.

Episode 40 - CommuniTea Chat with Henry Gonzalez

Join us as we meet Henry Gonzalez, owner of Tin Marin restaurant.

Episode 39 - CommuniTea Chat with Michael Brady

Join us as we meet Michael Brady. Michael serves as Principal of Canon Strategy Group (CSG), a firm committed to finding compromise and solutions when solutions and strategy are not readily apparent. Until recently, Michael was the Chief Executive Officer of Third Avenue Business Improvement District - the oldest and largest business district in the Bronx. During his tenure with Third Avenue Business Improvement District, he also led the Bruckner Boulevard Commercial Corridor and Southern Boulevard Business Improvement District. Over seven years, Michael led efforts to generate over $3 billion in public and private investment in the South Bronx, completed eight transformative public space and capital infrastructure programs, assisted in creating citywide policies to address public space equity and small business opportunities, and diversified the Board of Directors and leadership team at the organization to reflect the borough it serves.

Episode 38 - CommuniTea Chat with Damian McShane

Join us as we meet Damien McShane. Damien is a 30 year plus resident of the greater Riverdale area, living in North Riverdale with his wife and son, a Manhattan college student. Damien was the former Community Board 8 Chair, previously served on the Community Education Council for our district and served as President of the Riverdale Soccer Club, which he continues to support.  In his capacity as a CB8 member, Damien was engaged with the North Riverdale Merchants Associations during its formation and later became a member of the Riverdale Main Streets Alliance.  Damien was attracted by the RMSAs vision and advocacy on behalf of local businesses and the greater North Riverdale community and a proponent of community based organizations that work to preserve, promote and grow our neighborhood, of which RMSA is a leader. 

Episode 37 - CommuniTea Chat with the Friendly Fridge BX

Join us as we meet Selma Raven and Sara Allen from the Friendly Fridge BX. The Friendly Fridge BX is the first community fridge in the Bronx. Since its inception on May 21, 2020, the Fridge now moves on average five to seven thousand pounds of food per week directly into the hands of the community. Over the past three years, we’ve learned a tremendous deal about food waste, its impact on the environment around us and the power it holds to alleviate hunger for so many. Run entirely by a team of volunteers, the Friendly Fridge BX is all about community-based solutions. Our hyper-focused mission this year is developing and strengthening partnerships within our community to redirect good food from the landfills and instead, sharing this food with anyone who may need a little extra help.  We currently partner with over 25 schools, pantries, community centers, restaurants, catering companies, farms, CSAs and other organizations to redirect extra foods directly into the community. Our mission is to normalize reducing environmental waste and harm while also reducing stress of many. 

Episode 36 - CommuniTea Chat with Jonathan Calixto

Join us as we meet Jonathan Calixto. Jonathan is a media maven with over 8 years of experience in public relations, influencer marketing, and communications. His current titles range from multimedia journalist, host, creator, publisher, and editor. Some of the media outlets he has worked for include BronxNet TV, BELLA Magazine, BELLA Latina Magazine, and News12. Covering topics from fashion, local news, LGBTQ+ lifestlye, and social impact topics. In 2023, Jonathan launched his own podcast, Inspire Your Inner Boss, talking with guests about inspirational topics, how they define being a boss, and a moment that inspired them to become the boss of their life. Whether it is his work on-camera or behind the scenes, Jonathan’s mission is to add his own touch of representation, something he didn’t see growing up, to show other Queer-Latinx individuals they can be seen in any industry. 

Episode 35 - CommuniTea Chat with Miguel Matos

Join us as we meet Miguel Matos. As the owner-operator of a thriving tax firm since 2016, Miguel has been the backbone of financial guidance for over 300 small business owners in the vibrant heart of New York City. His expertise lies in crafting tailored tax saving strategies and offering comprehensive accounting services. He sees each business as a unique entity, deserving bespoke solutions that align with their goals and challenges. Miguel’s work with both for-profit and non-profit organizations showcases his versatility and commitment to fostering fiscal soundness and compliance across diverse sectors. His collaborations with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce is a testament to his dedication to educating and supporting business owners; underscores his belief in community growth and the collective success of local businesses. As new business owners embark on their journey; Miguel is the ultimate guide in understanding the intricacies of cash flow management in a small business setting. His insights are grounded in real-world experiences, offering you practical advice that transcends textbook theories. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of compliance, understanding the nuances of cash management in a small business, or mastering the art of accounting, Miguel is here to illuminate the path to your business success.

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