Uptown Collective

LIVE TUESDAY: Oscar Romero on Tech Equity, Machine Politics, and the NY-13 Primary

Description:
Turning our journalistic lens to the tightening race for New York’s 13th Congressional District, Uptown Voices presents a special Black & Blanco live broadcast this Tuesday, June 9th at 10:00 AM EST.

We sit down with Democratic candidate Oscar Romero, Chief Information Officer of the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, to evaluate an insurgent campaign designed to leverage institutional innovation against entrenched machine politics. In this live forum, we go behind the headlines of the recent Board of Elections petition disputes, analyze the strategic policy divisions between Romero and fellow left-wing challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier, and investigate how data equity can be directly deployed to safeguard housing and healthcare in Upper Manhattan and the Northwest Bronx.

🗓️ LIVE STREAM ACCESS:
Set your reminders. We go live this Tuesday at 10:00 AM EST right here on the Uptown Collective YouTube Channel, with simultaneous broadcasts available on Facebook and Instagram (@uptowncollectiv & @uptownvoicespodcast).

💬 JOIN THE LIVE DEBATE:
Does a candidate's practical experience inside city government carry more weight than movement activism? Submit your questions for Oscar Romero in the comments section below, and we will present them live on air.

💸 BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE NEWSROOM:
Uptown Voices operates entirely free of corporate backers. Our path to long-term sustainability relies completely on grassroots viewer support and local business partnerships. Help us keep independent political coverage alive in our neighborhoods.
➡️ Partner with our newsroom or support us here: bit.ly/4eddiWT

#NY13 #OscarRomero #UptownVoices #BlackAndBlanco #CivicEngagement #TechEquity #IndependentJournalism #NewYorkElections

1 month ago | [YT] | 4

Uptown Collective

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Uptown Collective

LIVE SATURDAY: Uptown Politics, Knicks Fever, and Uptown Voices Wins

Description:
We're broadcasting a unique, international broadcast! Uptown Voices presents a special Black & Blanco live edition this Saturday at 10:00 AM EST. (We're usually LIVE on SUNDAYS at 10 AM EST.)

Co-host Led Black broadcasts live from the Dominican Republic, joined by Octavio Blanco anchoring from New York City, for a wide-ranging town hall on the issues and victories defining our community. In this episode, we review the structural milestones achieved by this platform through independent reporting, analyze the shifting data and demographic pressures ahead of the June 23rd primary election, and deliver a rigorous assessment of the New York Knicks' historic postseason run.

🗓_ LIVE STREAM LINKS:
Set your reminders. We go live Sunday at 10:00 AM EST right here on the Uptown Collective YouTube Channel, with simultaneous broadcasts on Facebook and Instagram (@uptowncollectiv, @uptownvoicespodcast).

💬 JOIN THE LIVE FORUM:
What is the number one issue you want addressed before the June 23rd primary? Drop your questions in the comments below, and we will answer them live on air.

💸 BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE NEWSROOM:
Uptown Voices path to long-term sustainability relies entirely on grassroots viewer donations and local business partnerships. Help us defend independent media in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx.
➡️ Partner with us or donate here: bit.ly/4eddiWT

#Primary2026 #District13 #UptownVoices #LiveFromDR #KnicksPlayoffs #HyperlocalNews #IndependentJournalism #NewYorkElections

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Uptown Collective

https://youtu.be/7mPkoFHG_dA?si=2YVuv...
Rhythm, Resilience, and a Love Written in the Stars: The Story of Uptown Royalty. 🎻🎙️
The Story: Every so often, a story emerges from our streets that reminds us why independent media matters. Tonight, Uptown Voices brings you a remarkably raw and deeply moving look at the powerhouse duo behind Uptown Royalty—Ron Renaissance and Jody Music.
What begins as a conversation about their signature genre, Electro Latin Soul, quickly unfolds into a profound testament to human resilience. From surviving the dangerous peak of the crack epidemic in Washington Heights to Ron overcoming sudden open-heart surgery at age 38, and Jody navigating childhood survival on the streets of the Bronx, their lives have been entirely sustained by the primal power of rhythm.
In a stunning twist of fate, they reveal a shared "guardian angel"—a public school educator who fundamentally altered both of their paths years before they ever met. This isn't just an interview about music; it is a masterclass in survival, devotion, and the generational power of New York City public arts.
🔗 Uptown Voices is a viewer-supported project under the fiscal sponsorship of the Maysles Documentary Center. To keep corporate compromise out of our local stories, please consider making a tax-deductible donation here: bit.ly/4eddiWT

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Uptown Collective

🗳️ District 13 has a choice to make on June 23rd.

This week, Uptown Voices' Black & Blanco edition sat down with both candidates for New York's 13th Congressional District — Congressman Adriano Espaillat and challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier — and asked them the same substantive questions on behalf of this community.

Housing. Immigration. Gaza. ICE. The drug crisis. Campaign finance. The war in Iran. Safe injection sites. NYCHA. The future of Northern Manhattan.

Both conversations are now live on the Uptown Collective YouTube. Watch them. Share them. And make sure everyone you know in District 13 sees them before June 23rd.

This is what independent community journalism looks like. And this is why Uptown Collective exists. 💙

🎧 Both episodes at the link below — subscribe so you don't miss what's next.
👉 youtube.com/@uptowncollective?si=68xPv3IIxHrhJ2BQ

To make a tax deductible contribution to Uptown Voices and other viewing and listening options, tap here: linktr.ee/uptownvoicespodcast

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Uptown Collective

The Incumbent’s Crucible: Congressman Adriano Espaillat on the Black & Blanco Stage. 🗳️🎙️

From overstaying a childhood tourist visa to ascending to the halls of Congress, Representative Adriano Espaillat’s 30-year climb up New York’s political ladder is a classic American story. But in 2026, New York's 13th Congressional District faces a changing electorate, an economic squeeze, and a politically fierce younger generation demanding accountability.

On Saturday, Uptown Voices drops an unfiltered, hard-hitting interview with the incumbent as he faces a formidable primary challenge from progressive Darializa Avila Chevalier. We press the Congressman on the issues hitting our pavements hardest: $4,000 average rents, the survival of multi-generational small businesses, the impending Medicaid crisis, and the ethical lines surrounding campaign contributions from organizations like AIPAC.

In a district defined by its deep cultural roots, a clear generational fault line has emerged. Does institutional power still hold the keys, or is the political guard changing?

How to Watch:
📅 Release Date: Saturday, May 30th
📺 Watch & Stream: On the Uptown Collective YouTube channel or wherever you get your podcasts. Scan the QR code on our latest graphic to subscribe to Uptown Collective and Uptown Voices.

Take Action:
🔗 Uptown Voices is a viewer-supported, independent news project under the fiscal sponsorship of the Maysles Documentary Center. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation via our bio link.

#UptownVoices #BlackAndBlanco #District13 #AdrianoEspaillat #DarializaAvilaChevalier #NYCPolitics #WashingtonHeights #Harlem #TheBronx #IndependentJournalism #CampaignFinance

1 month ago | [YT] | 2

Uptown Collective

A massive political showdown is coming to Uptown Voices and Uptown Collective this Sunday. 🏛️⚡

The Scoop: Progressive challenger Darializa Avila Chevalier is officially running to unseat Representative Adriano Espaillat, one of the most powerful Dominican incumbents in Congress, to represent District 13.

Both candidates are Dominican, and both are vying for a heavily Dominican district. But here is what truly separates them: the age of their voters. This is a battle of the generations.

Fresh off a major endorsement from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Avila Chevalier is sitting down with Uptown Voices for a live, unfiltered interview on the Black & Blanco edition.

📌 WHEN TO TUNE IN:
🗓️ Sunday, May 31st at 10:00 AM EST.
Live streaming on Instagram (@uptowncollectiv), Facebook, and YouTube!

👉 Support Hyperlocal Media:
We are viewer-supported independent media. Tap this link to make a tax-deductible donation via the Maysles Documentary Center, and help us keep asking the tough questions: bit.ly/4eddiWT youtube.com/live/ALJ1w0sW0pk?feature=share

#nycpolitics #congressionalrace #district13 #washingtonheights #harlem #thebronx #uptownvoices #zohranmamdani #dominicanos #independentmedia #politicaltok

1 month ago | [YT] | 3

Uptown Collective

This Sunday, Uptown Voices sits down LIVE with Congressman Adriano Espaillat, representative of Congressional District 13, as he faces a primary challenge from two progressives — Darializa Avila Chevalier, endorsed by the Social Democrats, and Oscar Romero.

We've already interviewed both challengers. Now the incumbent gets his turn.

Join us Sunday April 12 at 10am right here on YouTube @uptowncollective, on Instagram @uptowncollectiv, and on Facebook at facebook.com/UptownCollective.

Set your reminder now. 🗳️🎙️

3 months ago | [YT] | 2

Uptown Collective

Khargh Island, Netanyahu unalive rumors, oil prices skyrocketing.🚨

What does all this mean and how will the escalating Israel/US/Iran war impact Uptown, our pocketbooks, and our lives?

Join our Sunday, March 15th live show at 10.a.m. as we try to untangle this rapidly developing situation with Christopher Lewis, an independent oil and gas trader.

#kharghisland #netanyahu #oilprices #iran #israel

4 months ago | [YT] | 4

Uptown Collective

‼️Darializa Avila Chevalier has emerged as a formidable candidate for Congressional District 13 in Upper Manhattan, challenging Adriano Espaillat with a bold vision for change. ‼️

Her campaign, rooted in democratic socialism, calls for affordable housing, Medicare for All, and a humane immigration system. Avila Chevalier critiques the influence of corporate landlords and AIPAC in politics, advocating instead for community power and grassroots organizing.

🇩🇴 Her personal journey, deeply tied to her immigrant family history, fuels her commitment to dignity and democracy for all.

🎧 Watch the full interview on the Uptown Voices Podcast, available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and nearly anywhere you watch or listen to podcasts.

#DemocraticSocialism #CommunityFirst #darializaavilachevalier #adrianoespaillat #uptownmanhattan

4 months ago | [YT] | 3