Episodes

  • Dyckman Fire, Class War & Uptown Power: Holding Bad Landlords Accountable | Black & Blanco / Uptown Voices

    Dyckman Fire, Class War & Uptown Power: Holding Bad Landlords Accountable | Black & Blanco / Uptown Voices
    May 13 2026
    In this episode of Black & Blanco / Uptown Voices, Led Black and Octavio Blanco open on Mother's Day with love for the mothers who hold it all together — then get into the real issues facing uptown.The Dyckman Street fire weighs heavy on this episode. Three lives lost, over 100 residents displaced, and a landlord — Jack Bick of Jan Jan Realty — who was already on the Public Advocate's list of the 100 worst landlords with over 1,000 fire and safety violations across his properties. Led and Octavio don't mince words: negligence this severe isn't just a housing violation, it's a matter of life and death. They play a clip of Council Member Carmen de la Rosa, who was on the ground within hours of the fire, and share resources for how listeners can still help displaced neighbors.From there, the conversation expands into the class warfare playing out across New York City and the country — from the Mamdani pied-à-terre tax and Ken Griffin's $238 million penthouse, to Trump's billion-dollar White House ballroom while SNAP benefits and Medicaid are being gutted. Led and Octavio connect the dots between predatory landlords, billionaire tax avoidance, and the slow displacement of the people who built and sustain this city.They also cover the rent guidelines board's upcoming public hearings — where a rent freeze is still on the table — and encourage listeners to make their voices heard before the June votes.On a brighter note: the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast was a hit, with hundreds in attendance at the Armory. Uptown Voices celebrates becoming a fiscally sponsored project of the Maysles Documentary Center. And Octavio gives a glowing review of the New York Philharmonic and Rubén Blades bringing salsa and symphony together at United Palace. Plus: Knicks playoff talk, bodega electricity bills, and why you should be buying your coffee at Boonie, not Starbucks.In this episode:Remembering the victims of the Dyckman Street fire and how to helpLandlord accountability: Jan Jan Realty and the city's responseThe Mamdani pied-à-terre tax and the billionaire backlashTrump's billion-dollar ballroom vs. cuts to Medicaid and SNAPNYC Rent Guidelines Board hearings — how to participateWashington Heights Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast recapRubén Blades + NY Philharmonic at United PalaceKnicks playoff feverHow to help displaced Dyckman fire residents:NMIC — 45 Wadsworth Avenue (call first)Holy Trinity Church (call first)Community Board 12 — 530 West 166th St, 212-568-8500Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos — 210 Sherman Ave, Suite A&CCongressman Adriano Espaillat — 720 West 181st St, 212-497-5959Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal — 431 West 125th St, 212-531-1609Council Member Carmen de la Rosa — 618 West 177th St, 917-521-2616State Senator Robert Jackson — 5030 Broadway, Suite 701, 212-544-0173Rent Guidelines Board public hearings: rentguidelinesboard.cityofnewyork.us Hearing dates: June 4, June 8, June 11, June 16Subscribe to Uptown Voices / Uptown Collective on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@uptowncollective?si=XIBtEAFy9VEo9ei4Support Uptown Voices — a fiscally sponsored project of the Maysles Documentary Center. Your contribution is tax-deductible: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/CJ5HJSZ2JF97S00:00 — Happy Mother's Day: Shoutouts & Love for the Mothers03:00 — Dyckman Street Fire: Lives Lost & Community Response06:10 — Carmen de la Rosa Clip: Leadership on the Ground09:00 — How to Help: Donation Sites & Resources for Displaced Residents13:50 — Led Speaks: The Reality of Being Displaced15:30 — Landlord Accountability: Jan Jan Realty & 1,000 Violations18:00 — HPD & the Mayor's Response to Unsafe Housing19:40 — Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast Recap21:30 — Jackie Aleman Clip: Chamber Leadership & 501c3 Restoration24:00 — Small Business Struggles: Rent, Electricity & Tight Margins27:10 — Uptown Voices Anniversary: Live Recording at the Hispanic Society30:00 — The Sorolla Gallery & Hidden Gems of Washington Heights33:00 — Buy Local: Skip Starbucks, Support Boonie33:30 — Support Uptown Voices: YouTube & Tax-Deductible Donations37:00 — Class War: Mamdani, Ken Griffin & the Pied-à-Terre Tax40:00 — The Billionaire Exodus Myth: Who's Really Leaving New York44:20 — Trump's Billion-Dollar White House Ballroom48:45 — The Met Gala, Wealth & People Power52:25 — NYC Rent Guidelines Board: How to Make Your Voice Heard56:00 — Knicks Playoff Talk: Sweep Season & Joel Embiid's Flopping1:00:40 — Rubén Blades & the NY Philharmonic at United Palace1:03:00 — Closing: Spread Love, It's the Uptown Way
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • From the South Bronx to the White House: Ambassador Julissa Reynoso on Diplomacy, Community & Resilience

    From the South Bronx to the White House: Ambassador Julissa Reynoso on Diplomacy, Community & Resilience
    May 5 2026
    Former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and White House Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden, Julissa Reynoso, shares how growing up in the South Bronx and Washington Heights shaped a trailblazing career in law, diplomacy, and now — playwriting.What does it take to go from a seven-year-old immigrant arriving in the South Bronx to serving as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States? For Julissa Reynoso, the answer lies in the streets of New York City, a relentless commitment to community, and the belief that government can — and must — be a force for good.In this landmark episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Octavio Blanco and Led Black sit down with Ambassador Reynoso for a wide-ranging conversation that takes us from Dominican Republic to the halls of the Obama and Biden White Houses. We explore how advocating for immigrant rights at the Northern Manhattan Immigrant Rights Coalition shaped her legal and diplomatic instincts, how the diversity of New York City became her first classroom in international relations, and why she chose to tell her high-stakes diplomatic story through the unexpected medium of theater.Ambassador Reynoso opens up about her play Public Charge, which chronicles her experiences during the Obama administration — including navigating the 2010 Haiti earthquake response and the secret negotiations that helped reestablish U.S.-Cuba ties. She also speaks candidly about the current political climate, the targeting of immigrant communities, the prospect of military action against Cuba, and the timeless advice she offers to young people of color who find themselves as the only one in the room.This is an essential listen for anyone who believes that where you come from doesn't limit where you can go.⏱ TIMECODE CHAPTERS00:00 Cold Open — Ambassador Reynoso on the immigrant community and the responsibility we share00:58 Welcome & Show Milestones — Host Octavio Blanco announces 500-subscriber goal and fiscal sponsorship by Maysles Documentary Center03:05 Introducing Ambassador Julissa Reynoso — From Dominican Republic to Washington Heights — a daughter of uptown03:55 From the Heights to the Heights of Diplomacy — Led Black asks: How does a girl from DR rise to the pinnacle of leadership?05:27 Growing Up in the South Bronx — Arriving in New York City in 1982 — the neighborhood that shaped a worldview06:15 Washington Heights & Columbia Law School — Moving uptown, building community roots, and discovering foreign policy07:17 Advocating for Immigrant Rights at NMCIR — How frontline legal work for neighbors fueled a life of public service09:01 From Diplomat to Playwright — The story behind Public Charge and why theater was the right vehicle11:54 Why Theater Over a Memoir? — The power of live performance and the transformation of storytelling on stage13:05 Street Smarts & Secret Diplomacy — How New York City life prepared her for high-stakes international negotiations15:11 Government as a Force for Good — Can we still believe in public service? Staying optimistic under the Trump administration16:00 The Immigrant Community Today — Profiling, targeting, and discrimination — and the collective responsibility to do better17:07 Cuba at the Brink — The Senate's blocked war powers resolution and what military escalation means for the Caribbean19:45 Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden — Living through COVID-19 and January 6th — and what she gained from the East Wing21:05 Advice for Young People of Color — On imposter syndrome, humility, relationships, and showing up in rooms where you're the only one23:21 Closing & Final Words — Gratitude, encouragement, and a call to subscribe and support Uptown Voices📋 FULL SHOW NOTESAbout Ambassador Julissa ReynosoJulissa Reynoso is a Dominican-American lawyer, diplomat, and now playwright who has served at the highest levels of the U.S. government. Born in the Dominican Republic, she immigrated to the United States at age seven, settling first in the South Bronx before later moving to Washington Heights when she attended Columbia Law School.Her career spans community legal advocacy, presidential appointments, and international diplomacy. She served as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay during the Obama administration, and was later appointed U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra by President Biden — one of the most significant diplomatic postings in the Western world. Before that posting, she served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history, encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6th Capitol attack.Her play, Public Charge, draws on her firsthand experience navigating U.S. foreign policy during the Obama years, including the U.S. response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the groundbreaking secret negotiations that led to the ...
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    25 mins
  • She Let Her Customers Run Her Coffee Shop — And It Went Viral | Sarina Prabasi of Buunni Coffee

    She Let Her Customers Run Her Coffee Shop — And It Went Viral | Sarina Prabasi of Buunni Coffee
    Apr 28 2026

    Sarina Prabasi co-founded Buunni Coffee in Washington Heights with her husband Elias in 2012 after moving from Ethiopia with two contacts, no business network, and a vision of what a neighborhood coffee shop could be. Thirteen years later, Buunni is one of upper Manhattan's most beloved community institutions — and Sarina is one of its most compelling voices.

    In this episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Octavio Blanco and Led Black sit down with Sarina to trace the full arc of the Buunni story: from roasting coffee in their kitchen and delivering bags door to door, to opening the Bronx's first specialty coffee roastery in Hunts Point, to landing their newest location inside Columbia University Medical Center. Along the way, Sarina reflects on what the Ethiopian coffee ceremony taught her about community, why she left a career in international development to plant roots in upper Manhattan, and how Buunni survived the pandemic without laying off a single employee.


    Sarina also opens up about writing her book The Coffee House Resistance — and why she's not sure she'd feel free enough to write it today. She talks candidly about navigating economic instability, tariffs, and the political climate as a small business owner who refuses to be neutral. And she shares the story of Melody — the Buunni regular who famously organized customers to babysit the café for a day so the entire staff could go to the beach.


    This is a conversation about coffee, yes — but really it's about what it means to build something that belongs to a neighborhood.


    ❤️ Support Hyperlocal Media Uptown Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Maysles Documentary Center. Your tax-deductible contribution helps us keep telling the stories that matter in upper Manhattan. Donate here: https://bit.ly/4eddiWT


    Find Buunni Coffee at buunnicoffee.com and on Instagram at @BuunniCoffee. Their new location opens May 4th at 701 West 168th Street in NYC.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Art, Anger & Accountability | Uptown Voices Live

    Art, Anger & Accountability | Uptown Voices Live
    Apr 26 2026

    Led Black and Octavio Blanco are back for another live Sunday session, bringing the energy, the community love, and the unfiltered conversations that make Uptown Voices essential listening for anyone who calls uptown home — or wishes they did.

    In this episode:

    🎵 Uptown Cultural Roundup The guys kick off with a packed calendar of uptown events. Led shouts out NOMA's "America the Beautiful?" exhibit (today's the last day to submit!), plus the stunning free subway art installations at the 181st and 190th Street A train stations featuring artists like Fuego, Josefina Hernandez, and Frank de la Melcez. Mark your calendars for the Emmett Cohen Trio at Harlem School of the Arts on May 19th — Led calls him a straight-up wizard who literally plays inside the piano.

    🎻 Gustavo Dudamel Comes to the Heights This one had them both buzzing. The legendary conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the New York Symphony are performing at United Palace — and tickets start at just $25 on boletos.com. Octavio connects Dudamel's roots in Venezuela's El Sistema — a music program for underserved youth — to the same community-uplift mission driving organizations like Jazz Power right here uptown. Don't sleep on this.

    🌿 Cleaning Up the Block Uptown People's Project, in collaboration with Carmen De La Rosa's office, is organizing a neighborhood-wide spring cleaning on May 2nd across Washington Heights and Inwood — Dyckman, Nagle, 207th, Bennett Park, and more. Supplies provided. Volunteers needed. Octavio leads by example (Led caught him out here with a trash picker after a meeting 😄).

    📚 Word Up + Boonee + Community Events Shoutouts to Word Up Books for their upcoming event at the Bronx Music Hall featuring authors Julia Alvarez and Angie Cruz (April 28th, 7–9pm). Plus, Boonee Coffee is hosting weekly writers' groups, chess nights, open mics, and more — and their episode drops this Tuesday! And don't miss the WAHEE Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast on May 7th — Led and Octavio will be live-streaming it since it's already sold out.

    💬 The Hard Conversation: Youth Violence & Social Media A viral video of a 14-year-old boy body-slamming and stomping a girl in East Harlem hits different when Led and Octavio break it down. They dig into the dangerous intersection of poverty, social media, peer pressure, and toxic masculinity culture — and refuse to let it be just another headline. Their take is nuanced: hold the young man accountable, but ask why, and use this as a community wake-up call, not just outrage fuel.

    🗳️ Politics, Anger & Accountability — No Sacred Cows Led doesn't hold back on his frustrations with both parties, and the guys get into it on the latest Trump news — from conspiracy theories around the Butler assassination attempt to the administration's pattern of disinformation. Octavio brings balance; Led brings fire. Che Guevara closes the show. Spread love is still the Uptown way — even when the hate is earned.


    Subscribe to Uptown Collective on YouTube — you're helping them hit their first sustainability milestone. Every sub counts. New episodes drop every Tuesday and they go LIVE every Sunday at 10am.

    📍 Find them on YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and wherever you get your podcasts.

    Spread love is the Uptown way. 🙏
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • "He Sold Out Harlem": Julien Segura's Blistering Critique of Al Taylor in the NY State Assembly Race

    "He Sold Out Harlem": Julien Segura's Blistering Critique of Al Taylor in the NY State Assembly Race
    Apr 19 2026

    About This Episode:
    In this high-stakes episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Octavio Blanco and Led Black sit down with Julien Segura, a Democratic Socialist candidate running for the 71st District of the NY State Assembly. Representing the vibrant neighborhoods of Washington Heights, Inwood, and Manhattanville, Segura doesn't hold back in his critique of the long-standing political establishment.

    From the housing crisis and rising rents to the controversial OnPoint safe injection sites, we dive deep into the issues that are defining the future of Upper Manhattan. Segura specifically addresses his challenge to incumbent Al Taylor, raising serious questions about residency, representation, and who really "owns" the soul of Harlem and the Heights.

    Key Topics & Chapters
    00:00 — Welcome to Uptown Voices: Black & Blanco Live
    00:35 — Technical Meltdowns and Equipment Upgrades
    01:50 — Introducing Guest Julien Segura: Candidate for NY Assembly District 71
    03:33 — Julien’s Personal Connection to Uptown & Growing up in Sugar Hill
    06:40 — Critique of the "Political Machine" and Opponent Al Taylor
    08:00 — The 18-40 Voting Block: Why a Generational Shift is Coming
    10:02 — Why Run for Public Office? From Protests to Campaigns
    12:15 — The Housing Crisis: Practical Plans for Resident Retention
    14:30 — AMI, Tax Incentives, and Rethinking Affordable Housing Models
    16:45 — Safe Injection Sites & Harm Reduction: Taking a Village Mentality
    20:55 — Accountability in Community Contracts: The OnPoint Debate
    23:45 — Addressing Quality of Life: Policing, Protests, and the Middle Finger
    25:40 — Respecting First Responders While Challenging Unjust Authority
    29:41 — What Does "Socialism" Mean in Uptown? Universal Healthcare & Education
    31:50 — Campaign Finance: Rejecting PAC Money for Local Support
    33:37 — Post-Interview Debrief: Spitting Fire Against the Machine
    34:06 — Support Local Cinema: "Mad Bills to Pay" Opening Weekend
    36:47 — Authentic Representation: Why Independent Latino Film Matters
    42:16 — Community Shoutouts: Uptown Art Stroll & NOMA Deadlines
    46:25 — Cultural Spotlight: Gustavo Dudamel at United Palace Theater
    49:42 — Good News for Washington Heights: Dolphin Park Reopening
    52:50 — Sports Update: Knicks Victory and Uptown Energy
    54:30 — Final Reminders & Closing: Spread Love the Uptown Way

    Connect with Uptown Voices
    Uptown Voices is a collaboration with Uptown Collective, dedicated to sharing the stories of Upper Manhattan and the South Bronx. Support hyperlocal news and stay informed on the issues that matter to your neighborhood.

    * Subscribe to Uptown Voices: https://www.youtube.com/@UptownVoices
    * Read more at Uptown Collective: https://www.uptowncollective.com/

    Support Our Work
    Uptown Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Maysles Documentary Center. Make a tax-deductible contribution to our program here: https://bit.ly/4eddiWT

    #UptownVoices #WashingtonHeights #Inwood #JulienSegura #AlTaylor #NYAssembly #UpperManhattan #LocalPolitics #HousingCrisis
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    57 mins
  • ¡Pa'lante! Kevin Reyes on La Vitilla, Baseball's Best-Kept Secret, and Building Community One Cap at a Time

    ¡Pa'lante! Kevin Reyes on La Vitilla, Baseball's Best-Kept Secret, and Building Community One Cap at a Time
    Apr 14 2026

    What's the secret weapon behind the Dominican Republic's legendary baseball talent? It's not just raw skill — it's La Vitilla, a street game played with the plastic cap from a large water jug. This week, Led Black and Octavio Blanco sit down with Kevin Reyes, president and founder of Li Vido USA, the non-profit bringing this beloved Dominican pastime to the streets of New York City.

    Kevin arrived in the United States in 2017 and, by 2023, had begun organizing Vitilla tournaments across New York's neighborhoods. What started as a small gathering of friends has grown into a full league, complete with drafts, MVPs, Cy Young awards, and a passionate multi-generational community.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • What La Vitilla actually is — and why hitting a bottle cap with a small bat is harder (and more effective) than it sounds
    • Why Dominican baseball legends from David Ortiz to generations of MLB stars grew up playing Vitilla
    • The upcoming Car-Free Earth Day Tournament on Saturday, April 25th, at 181st St. & St. Nicholas Ave. in Washington Heights — 16 teams, 10 AM to 3:30 PM, free to attend
    • The 2025 regular season: 10 consecutive Sundays from May 17 to July 19 at Marble Hill Playground in the Bronx
    • Kevin's plans to expand Vitilla to Florida, Pennsylvania, and beyond — and to send a diaspora all-star team to compete in the DR's Kings of the Street tournament in November
    • The dream: getting Vitilla into NYC schools as an official after-school training program for young baseball players
    • The power of social media, consistency, and faith in building something from nothing

    A bilingual conversation full of heart, humor, and community pride. Whether you're Dominican, a baseball fan, or just someone who loves seeing immigrants build something beautiful — this episode is for you.

    📍 Event Details:

    • Earth Day Tournament: April 25, 10 AM–3:30 PM | 181st–182nd St. & St. Nicholas Ave., Washington Heights
    • Regular Season: May 17 – July 19, Sundays 11 AM–4 PM | Marble Hill Playground, the Bronx

    📲 Follow & Connect:

    • Instagram: @lividoUSA
    • Website: www.lividoUSA.org

    ¡Nos vemos el 25! See you on the 25th!
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    42 mins
  • From Chino Latino to the Middle East: Uptown Love, Global Rage & Two Friends Who Don't Always See Eye to Eye

    From Chino Latino to the Middle East: Uptown Love, Global Rage & Two Friends Who Don't Always See Eye to Eye
    Apr 6 2026
    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: @nomaanycHispanic 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: @theanthonyrojasTIMESTAMPS00:00 — 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
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • Annette Aguilar on Cuba, Community & Why Uptown is Home

    Annette Aguilar on Cuba, Community & Why Uptown is Home
    Mar 24 2026

    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
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    1 hr and 11 mins