In Brownsville, community members are coming together to try out a new approach to public safety. Brownsville In Violence Out (BIVO) is an anti-gun violence initiative in which Brownsville residents respond to low level street crimes themselves, rather than having the NYPD make arrests. The idea is to try to reduce the number of people entangled in the criminal justice system by substituting traditional policing with programs that allow credible community members the opportunity to intervene in neighborhood disturbances and connect people with social service resources, if needed. Dushoun Almond, aka Bigga, an anti-violence advocate and a leader of BIVO, joins MetroFocus to discuss the initiative.

Fashion Mogul Kathy Ireland Teams Up With Foreseeable Future Foundation To Advocate For Blind & Visually Impaired Community

Kathy Ireland is considered one of America’s most successful self-made women, a super model turned super mogul. She has a new title now too: ambassador for the visually impaired and blind community. In New York alone, there are hundreds of thousands of people with blindness or low vision. While progress is being made to improve the well-being of the community, many obstacles remain. To help, Ireland has partnered with the Foreseeable Future Foundation, a leading national nonprofit that has aided thousands through awareness events and funding athletic endeavors. The organization was started by founder and CEO Griffin Pinkow, whose perseverance through the struggle of slowly losing his sight is inspiring many. Tonight, we’re joined by both Kathy Ireland and Griffin Pinkow to discuss their work together.

The results are in! Journalist and host of the “Max Politics” podcast, Ben Max, joins MetroFocus to breakdown the results of the 2023 Election.

Preserving "The Boss": How The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center For American Music Came To Be

If you know anything about music icon Bruce Springsteen you know that he’s a Jersey guy, the Jersey Shore to be precise. So, it might not be a surprise to learn that the Bruce Springsteen Archives found a home there at Monmouth University, but you might be surprised at the extent of the archives, how some of Bruce’s biggest fans helped start the collection, and why the project expanded to now constitute the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. In October, Monmouth University announced plans for a new 30,000-square-foot building to house the archives. A campaign to raise $45 million to get started on construction is underway, and the project is expected to be completed by 2026. Tonight, we revisit our interview with Grammy Award-winning music historian Bob Santelli, the executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, who joined us to discuss the creation of the collection and what they have to offer.

More than 8 New York state voters say the recent influx of migrants to New York is a “serious problem” for the state, according to a new Siena poll released Oct. 24. And 58% agree with Mayor Adams’ statement made last month that the migrant issue could “destroy New York City.” Siena pollster Steven Greenberg tells MetroFocus “seldom do we see issues where we have 4 out of 5 Democrats, Republicans, Independents, upstaters, downstaters, all saying ‘this is a serious problem.” Tonight Greenberg unpacks the numbers and how they may shift the political landscape. He also breaks down what New Yorkers are thinking about crime, President Biden and Gov. Kathy Hochul, and increasing aid to Israel and Ukraine.

MTA Looks Beyond Policing As Fare Evasion Crisis Approaches $1 Billion In Losses

New York is facing a fare and toll evasion crisis with revenue losses nearly topping $700 million in 2022. That’s according to a new blue-ribbon panel appointed to study the evasion threat, which found the problem has spiked sharply since the pandemic, threatening the financial stability of the transit system and tearing at the social fabric of New York. The 16-member group also came up with recommendations to address evasion without aggressive policing, which critics say unfairly targets the city’s most vulnerable. Joining us tonight to discuss their work and possible solutions to the crisis are the co-chairs of the Panel on MTA Fare and Toll Evasion: Rose Pierre-Louis, who also serves as executive director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, and Roger Maldanado, an attorney and former president of the New York City Bar Association.

We take you to United Palace in Washington Heights, where patrons preach with an open heart; bridging the divide between religion and tradition with frank, honest, and raw conversations.

City of Gods

Queens is known as the birthplace of religious freedom in America. Do you know why? The answer may surprise you. Find out why and which neighborhood in the borough is the most diverse in the nation.

Losing Their Religion

Is it possible for today’s young people to put down their phones, disconnect, and be fulfilled? We go in search of spirituality in a digital age.

"Sacred: A Global Documentary"

Join us on a global journey that explores spirituality, examining faith and the human experience.

In just the latest incident of antisemitism on a college campus, a 21-year-old Cornell student was arrested this week for allegedly threatening to kill Jewish classmates. Governor Kathy Hochul has directed State Police to increase security at colleges and universities across New York, but many Jewish students still feel their schools are not doing enough to protect them. Since the Israel-Hamas war began there have been many reports on college campuses here in New York, and across the country, of violent threats, intimidation tactics, public doxing, and even assaults. Student supporters of both Israel and Palestine have expressed fear for their safety in recent weeks. Melissa Korn, reporter for The Wall Street Journal, joins us with the latest on the story.

HBO's "The Stroll" Looks Back At The Legacy of Transgender Sex Workers in NYC

For decades it was known simply as “The Stroll,” a stretch of West 14th Street in Manhattan's Meatpacking District where transgender sex workers set up shop. For the trans women and nonbinary New Yorkers who worked there though, this was about more than business. It was a community of people with few other places to turn for support. In the face of violence and harassment, both from potential customers and the police, they banded together and helped pave the way for today’s new era of visibility. HBO’s “The Stroll” is now telling their story and joining us tonight to discuss the film are directors Kristen Lovell, who once worked The Stroll herself, and Zackary Drucker.

Over the summer, NYPD Police Commissioner Edward Caban appointed Rebecca Weiner as the agency’s Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism – the largest counterterrorism and intelligence gathering operation in American policing. Weiner joined the NYPD in 2006, and has a long track record of investigating right-wing extremism, the Islamic State terrorist group Al Qaeda and other forms of terrorism, including cyberterrorism. Tonight, Deputy Commissioner Weiner joins MetroFocus to discuss how terrorist and violent threats have evolved since 9/11, the consent decree governing the NYPD’s surveillance of political and religious groups, and her own grandfather’s personal history of fleeing the Holocaust and working to develop the atomic bomb as part of the Manhattan Project.

"My Partner, My Enemy: An Unflinching View of Domestic Violence and New Ways To Protect Victims"

John Michael Leventhal, a retired New York State Supreme Court judge and the author of My Partner, My Enemy: An Unflinching View of Domestic Violence and New Ways to Protect Victims draws on his years as the "Judge of Abuse," when he presided over the first domestic violence court. He talks about a history of male privilege, power control, and when physical coercive overtones become criminal. Leventhal expands on why there was a need for a felony Domestic Violence Court, and he makes suggestions on how to improve the laws to better protect victims of domestic violence.

"Monstrous: The Lore, Gore, and Science Behind Your Favorite Monsters"

It's Halloween. Tonight ghoulish vampires, werewolves and zombies abound as we look at “the lore, gore, and science behind your favorite monsters.”

Since its inception, Airbnb has become an increasingly popular option for tourists visiting New York City. In 2022, short-term rental listings across the city, like Airbnb and VRBO, generated $85 million in revenue. While visitors have enjoyed the lower prices and larger spaces that short-term rentals can offer, some residents have blamed these spaces for issues like noise, cleanliness, and even skyrocketing rents. In response, the city recently passed a new law that severely limits the number of short-term rentals by requiring rental hosts to register with the city and restricting the number of guests that can stay in these units. Will the new restrictions help reverse rising rental prices? And do they constitute a “De facto ban on business,” as Airbnb claims? Joining us to discuss the issue are: Amanda Hoover, general assignment staff writer for Wired; and Margenett Moore-Roberts, a homeowner in Brooklyn who previously rented on Airbnb.

Chasing The Dream - "From Madison Avenue To Rikers Island: The Making of a Social Entrepeneur"

Far too often, former criminal offenders wind up back behind bars after their release, in part because they are not given the proper training or resources to turn their lives around. Mark Goldsmith has been working to change that with his organization, Getting Out Staying Out, a nonprofit that helps young people incarcerated on Rikers Island re-enter society, and stay out of trouble, by providing them with education and employment opportunities, skills training, and emotional wellbeing resources. Mark has not always been focused on this mission, though. He spent most of his career as a successful executive in the cosmetics industry before pivoting to a career in service. He wrote about this transition in his book, “From Madison Avenue to Rikers Island: The Making of a Social Entrepreneur,” to encourage others who have spent their careers working in commercial industries that it is never too late to take up a life of service.

Joan Lunden and Sheryl Crow share their personal stories of struggle, survival, and triumph, on their mission to educate everyone on breast cancer and teach us the keys to saving lives.

Dangerous Shortage of Cancer Drugs

National shortages of vital chemotherapy medications are forcing physicians to develop workarounds and the Biden administration to mount an all-out government response. The shortage of chemo drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are leaving hospitals and doctors with difficult decisions about how to treat their patients – including delaying treatment and even rationing doses in some cases. Tonight, we talk to Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and president-elect of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), about the crisis and its impact on patients and doctors, as well as what is being done at a federal level to increase supply.

In September, Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD unveiled a new subway-patrolling robot called K5, which patrols the Times Square subway station from 12AM to 6AM during a two-month trial. The new surveillance tool is one of a growing fleet of NYPD robots which have been criticized, due to their cost and the potential to infringe on people’s privacy. New York State Senator Jabari Brisport joins MetroFocus with his thoughts on these new police robotic technologies.

"Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names"

Each day, millions of people drive on the Major Deegan, the Hutchinson Expressway, the Outerbridge Crossing, and the Holland Tunnel. Few travelers remember that, before these names were attached to New York’s many roads, bridges, tunnels, neighborhoods and institutions, they were actual people. In a new book, “Naming Gotham: The Villains, Rogues, and Heroes Behind New York Place Names,” law professor Rebecca Bratspies uses the naming of New York City’s infrastructure as a unique window into urban social structures and the city’s ever-changing inhabitants.

A reporter who was in the heart of Friday’s pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protests in Times Square joins MetroFocus to share what he saw that day.

"Right To Shelter" Architect Slams Adams' Challenge of Landmark Housing Guarantee

Just over 40 years ago, 26-year-old attorney Robert Hayes took on a pro bono case that turned into the biggest legal victory in history for homeless New Yorkers. That victory, the right to shelter, is once again being challenged, this time by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor’s argument: the city does not want to nullify the law but rather modify it in the face of the asylum seeker crisis. As negotiations continue in court and signs of a compromise reportedly emerge, Robert Hayes, the original architect of the “right to shelter,” joins us to discuss the city’s response to the crisis.

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey and his wife, Nadine, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to bribery charges. Federal prosecutors allege the Senator took bribes of cash and bars of gold in exchange for his political influence to aid Egypt’s government and do favors for local business people. Mr. Menendez is refusing to resign, although the number of Democratic Senators calling for him to step down continues to grow - including Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ). Joining MetroFocus to discuss the case and what happens next is the anchor of NJ Spotlight News on NJ PBS, Briana Vannozzi.

METROFOCUS STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH WEEK: NIGHT 4 - “TEEN RACE OF HOPE”: SPOTLIGHTING THE STIGMA AROUND YOUTH DEPRESSION

All this week, MetroFocus is bringing you stories on mental health from a variety of perspectives. We'll hear families, students, and doctors discuss this urgent issue and explore emerging solutions. Tonight, the state of teen mental health across the nation is urgent. More than one in three high school students reports feeling persistent hopelessness, a 40% increase since 2009, and suicide is now the second leading cause of death for adolescents. To raise awareness of these issues, as well as raise money for research into depression, more than 275 teenagers and their families in May took part in the first “Teen Race of Hope,” a 5k (3.1 mile) run along the West Side Highway in New York City. Joining MetroFocus to discuss the race, as well as what is next in the efforts to understand and treat depression, are: Hayden Lucas, a New York City high school student who came up with the idea to hold the “Teen Race of Hope” and served as Chief Student Ambassador for the Race; and Louisa Benton, the Executive Director of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation.

Click here for more information about the Student Mental Health Matters Toolkit for Educators

The Healthy Minds, Thriving Kids collection on PBS LearningMedia is made possible by the New York State Education Department.

It’s Climate Week in New York City. As the world faces an increasingly dire climate emergency, MetroFocus welcomes three winners of this year’s Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards, awarded for excellence in reporting on the climate crisis and its solutions. With us tonight are Mark Albert, winner of the Short-Form Video award for his seven-part series for Hearst Television Forecasting Our Future, a massive undertaking that took Mark to counties all over the country to see the impact of climate change on local communities. Cameron Oglesby, winner of the Student Journalist of the Year award, joins us to talk about her reporting centering on Black and Indigenous narratives in environmental reporting, including her story on the use of Navajo lands to generate power for Los Angeles even as 15,000 Navajo households didn’t have electricity. And Alleen Brown discusses her groundbreaking Multimedia series for The Intercept, Climate and Punishment, in which she researched and reported on the risk posed by heat, wildfires and floods to prison populations around the country, including Rikers.

GUEST: MARK ALBERT –INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER & COVERING CLIMATE NOW AWARD WINNER (SHORT-FORM VIDEO)

GUEST: CAMERON OGLESBY – ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE JOURNALIST & COVERING CLIMATE NOW AWARD WINNER (STUDENT)

GUEST: ALLEEN BROWN – INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST REPORTING FOR THE INTERCEPT & COVERING CLIMATE NOW AWARD WINNER (MULTIMEDIA)

GUEST: DR. SCOTT BONN - CRIMINOLOGIST WHO ACCURATELY PROFILED THE ACCUSED GILGO BEACH KILLER; AUTHOR, “WHY WE LOVE SERIAL KILLERS: THE CURIOUS APPEAL OF THE WORLD’S MOST SAVAGE MURDERERS”

GUEST: ANTHONY DESTEFANO - NEWSDAY LEGAL AFFAIRS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTER; TRUE CRIME AUTHOR

GUEST: TERRI AUSTIN - LEGAL ANALYST AND HOST, LAW & CRIME; FORMER TRIAL ATTORNEY

Over one hundred thousand migrants have come to New York over the past year. With little help from Washington, DC and a price tag that could cost taxpayers $12 billion dollars over the next three years, city officials are concerned about their ability to house and pay for the influx of migrants. Tonight, we take a look at the crisis Mayor Eric Adams has said “will destroy New York City.” Joining us to discuss the complex issue are New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; Republican political commentator Joseph Pinion; and journalist, host of the Max Politics Podcast - Ben Max.

GUEST: JUMAANE WILLIAMS – NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC ADVOCATE

GUEST: JOE PINION – REPUBLICAN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

GUEST: BEN MAX – JOURNALIST / HOST, MAX POLITICS PODCAST

There is a reason why you have been seeing everyday products, even inexpensive ones, locked behind plastic at your pharmacy or when you go shopping at one of the big-name retail stores in New York City. It’s because retail theft is skyrocketing, and not just here, where the NYPD have reported a sixty six percent increase in retail theft related complaints since 2019, but all across America. According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft has ballooned into a $94 billion epidemic; one that has forced store closures, led to layoffs, and cost cities and states millions of dollars in lost tax revenue. Tonight, City Journal’s Steven Malanga joins MetroFocus to discuss what is driving this dramatic increase in shoplifting, and what impact have bail reform and the pandemic had on this phenomenon.

“STAY NJ”: NEW LAW AIMS TO KEEP OLDER ADULTS IN NJ BY CUTTING THEIR PROPERTY TAXES

As has been the case for many years, New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation. This has led to renewed concerns over residents leaving New Jersey for lower taxes, particularly New Jersey’s oldest residents. In response to this, as part of New Jersey’s new $54.3 billion budget, elected officials have passed a new tax relief plan, specifically aimed at keeping older residents in the state. The plan, called StayNJ, aims to cut property taxes in half for most of the state’s seniors, but it will not take effect until 2026, leaving critics to question if the payouts will ever actually happen. State of Affairs host Steve Adubato joins MetroFocus to discuss the issue.

For nearly 300 years, the waterfront area of Lower Manhattan was the busiest seaport in the world, the epicenter of New York’s trade and commerce. Yet the neighborhood was never glamorous. For generations, the waterfront offered jobs to dock workers: unloaders, lumpers, seamen, journeymen, fishmongers. That all began to change in the 1980s, as Mayor Ed Koch and a young Rudy Giuliani began working to get rid of the crime family’s control of the waterfront, clearing the way for the area’s old buildings to be torn down and replaced by luxury housing and shopping. After the seminal moment of Sept. 11, 2001, the area was rebuilt even more, erasing almost all of what remained of Lower Manhattan’s working-class past. It is this transformation that photographer Barbara Mensch captures in her new book, “A Falling Off Place: The Transformation of Lower Manhattan,” which includes images from the 1980s through 9/11 and beyond. Mensch, a prominent photographer whose photos have been included in a collection at The Museum of Modern Art, joins MetroFocus to share many of her stunning black and white photographs of that period – including images capturing the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and their aftermath, Downtown’s rebirth as a global economic engine, and the final days of the Fulton Fish Market, which closed in 2005.

“FIVE FLOORS UP: THE HEROIC FAMILY STORY OF FOUR GENERATIONS IN THE FDNY”

For nearly a century the Feehan family has been at the heart of the New York City Fire Department. From the dawn of the motorized fire truck to the September 11th attacks, at least one member of the Feehan family has worn the FDNY patch. First Deputy Commissioner Bill Feehan was the highest-ranking member of the department killed on 9/11 and two decades later his legacy lives on thanks in part to his family. Their extraordinary service and how it reflects the history of the department is the foundation of author Brian McDonald’s new book, “Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY,” and the New York Times bestselling writer joins MetroFocus to discuss this New York family’s lasting impact.

The days of school libraries being a place for only books and getting shushed are a thing of the past, at least in some school districts. Baldwin High School on Long Island is among them, transforming its traditional library space into a collaborative hub outfitted with 21st century tech. Dubbed the “Learning Collaboratory,” the district’s goal is to better prepare students for life after high school and the real world of work, a concept Baldwin has pioneered with its specialized school-to-career Academic Academies program. Baldwin Superintendent Dr. Shari Camhi joins us tonight to discuss how this next-generation library fits in with the district’s revolutionary approach to learning.

CHASING THE DREAM: DELIVERING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION TO CHILDREN OF ALL ABILITIES AND IDENTITIES

What can parents with special needs children do to optimize their education and quality of life? One answer for parents is the IDEAL School of Manhattan, which has been a game changer for many families as New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school. The school was founded in 2006 by three mothers with sons with Down syndrome. Their goal: create a diverse and inclusive independent school that affirms and accepts the full identities of all students. The concept of inclusive education is simple but transformative - students with disabilities learn in the same classrooms alongside their typically developing peers. Tonight, a conversation with two of the co-founders of the school, Audra Zuckerman and Michelle Smith, about the challenges and successes of delivering inclusive education in New York City.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were one of the legendary acts to take the stage at Woodstock. It was only the second live performance by the newly formed supergroup, but getting to that stage was itself quite an experience. Tonight, Graham Nash shares the story.

Santana Remembers Woodstock

Carlos Santana reflects on the acid trip of his life at Woodstock, an experience that propelled his career and brain to new heights.

A Generational Revolution

From hippies to the history books, pop culture expert Professor Robert Thompson tackles the myths versus the realities of this historic event that defined a generation and changed the country. 

Long Island is on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, ranking among the most vulnerable metro areas in the country. Decades of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems and fertilizer runoff have only made the situation worse, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation is helping lead the fight to keep communities from going underwater. The Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, a multi-generational, women-led nonprofit, is expanding their kelp hatchery and farm in Southampton to counter the effects of climate change and restore the waters they’ve lived on for thousands of years. The group recently teamed up with The Nature Conservancy, the global conservation organization, on their expansion and joining us to discuss these efforts are: Tela Troge, Director of the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, and Tiffany Waters, Global Aquaculture Manager for The Nature Conservancy.

Inside Akwesasne Freedom School

Jenna Flanagan travels to the Akwesasne Freedom School in upstate New York for a firsthand look at a Mohawk tribe’s fight to reclaim its roots by taking control of its children’s education- starting with an encouraged ban on speaking English, in favor of their native language and culture.

• TERRI AUSTIN - HOST AND LEGAL ANALYST, “LAW & CRIME”
• RENATO MARIOTTI – “POLITICO” LEGAL AFFAIRS COLUMNIST AND FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR
• RUSSELL PAYNE – POLITICAL REPORTER, “THE NEW YORK SUN”

Physicist and bestselling author Dr. Michio Kaku joins MetroFocus to discuss his latest book “Quantum Supremacy” on the new technology that he says will change humanity…and it’s not artificial intelligence!

Chasing The Dream: Kristi Yamaguchi Discusses Her Childhood Literacy Foundation "Always Dream"

U.S. Olympic figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi discusses her journey to the 1992 gold medal, the importance of the Japan Parade, and being a champion of childhood literacy with her Always Dream foundation.

For the first time in half a century, NASA is launching astronauts back to the moon, this time with a groundbreaking crew onboard. When the astronauts of Artemis II head into space, possibly as early as late next year, they will travel on a mega rocket around the moon, paving the way for future landings on the lunar surface and even Mars. Onboard will be the first woman and the first. person of color to take part in a NASA moon mission. Tonight, we’ll meet some of these next generation space explorers and the astronauts who paved the way for them one small step at a time. Joining us tonight is Reid Wiseman, Mission Commander of Artemis II, the first moon crew in over 50 years.

Buzz Aldrin's Journey To The Moon

On July 20, 1969, NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin made history by being the second person to walk on the moon. Tonight, he shares his story.

"8 Days To The Moon And Back"

The documentary “8 Days: To the Moon and Back” features NASA footage to provide the blueprint for a recreation of the first lunar landing.

A number of Republicans have already announced their plans to run for president in 2024, but almost all of them have been reluctant to consistently attack the frontrunner in the race, former President Donald Trump. But there is one candidate who seems eager to go on the offensive, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has publicly stated that he is running not only to try to win, but to ensure that Donald Trump loses. Christie, who has gone from one of Trump’s earliest and strongest mainstream supporters to one of his harshest critics, recently described the former president as a “loser,” and has publicly questioned Trump’s fitness for elected office. What explains Christie’s changing attitude towards Trump? Could Christie actually win the Republican nomination? State of Affairs host Steve Adubato joins us to break down the former governor’s campaign.

"American Cities Rebuilding": Senator Cory Booker On Criminal Justice Reform

Since the onset of the 2020 pandemic, America’s cities have faced unique challenges such as rebuilding their devasted economies, providing adequate healthcare and education for their residents, fixing a broken criminal justice system, and dealing with the ever-growing threat of climate change. In order to address these issues, The WNET Group recently participated in a livestream journalism series called, American Cities Rebuilding, for the third consecutive year. The series, made in partnership with PBS stations across the country, and sponsors Wells Fargo and PSE&G, brings together the top minds of today for conversations on the unique problems cities are facing and what they can do to bounce back, better than ever. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker recently joined us, as part of American Cities Rebuilding, to discuss how criminal justice reform is an essential step in helping cities rebuild in a post-pandemic reality.

Just over 40 years ago, 26-year-old attorney Robert Hayes took on a pro bono case that turned into the biggest legal victory in history for homeless New Yorkers. That victory, the right to shelter, is once again being challenged, this time by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor’s argument: the city does not want to nullify the law but rather modify it in the face of the asylum seeker crisis. As negotiations continue in court and signs of a compromise reportedly emerge, Robert Hayes, the original architect of the “right to shelter,” joins us to discuss the city’s response to the crisis.

Can New York Solve Its Housing Crisis By Transforming Empty Midtown Offices Into Affordable Homes?

New York is facing a massive housing crisis by virtually every measure imaginable, and one of the leading proposals to tackle the problem is turning vacant Manhattan office space into affordable homes for New Yorkers. Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams both support the idea, which could reinvigorate Midtown neighborhoods still recovering from COVID and provide relief to outer-borough residents being priced out of the city. Another major backer of the proposal is a diverse coalition of supporters from the business, labor, civic and religious communities called the 5 Borough Housing Movement. The new advocacy group is keeping up the pressure on New York lawmakers to see this through and its executive director, John Sanchez, joins us to discuss the city’s housing crisis.

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, each day on average 20 veterans take their own lives. To bring awareness to this crisis, BraveHearts, the leading equine rehabilitation program for veterans, annually embarks on its “Trail to Zero” ride in New York City. Veterans make a 20-mile journey on horseback through the streets of New York City – one mile for every veteran lost to suicide daily. Tonight, as part of National Military Appreciation Month, we revisit our interview with BraveHearts Administrative Director Jeanna Sorgani and Marine Corps veteran Ben Jalove who discussed the ride, as well as the benefits of equine therapy for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

MetroFocus Special Report: Meet The "Paws Of War"

They are the four-legged companions helping the nation’s veterans recover from the emotional effects of war.

New York is home to some of the leading medical institutions in the world and one organization that’s turned the city into a go-to destination for treatment is the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Celebrating its 160th anniversary this year, HSS has been ranked number one in the nation in orthopedics for 13 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report, treating celebrities and sports stars to everyday New Yorkers in need of complicated care. Tonight, we’re going behind the curtain for a closer look at the future of medicine and what makes HSS so successful with Dr. Bryan Kelly, President, Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Dr. Thomas Sculco, the hospital’s Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus and Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center.

Chasing The Dream: Delivering Inclusive Education To Children of All Abilities and Identities

What can parents with special needs children do to optimize their children's education and quality of life? One answer for New York parents is The IDEAL School of Manhattan, which has been a game changer for many families as New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school. The school was founded in 2006 by three mothers with sons with Down syndrome. Their goal: create a diverse and inclusive independent school that affirms and accepts the full identities of all students. The concept of inclusive education is simple but transformative - students with disabilities learn in the same classrooms alongside their typically developing peers. Tonight, a conversation with two of the co-founders of the school, Audra Zuckerman and Michelle Smith, about the challenges and successes of delivering inclusive education in New York City.

Tonight, as part of our special “Peril & Promise” reporting, we are joined by the new President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Monica Medina. Ms. Medina, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, is the first woman to ever hold this position. She will be bringing her years of experience working on environmental policy for the federal government to New York, where she will be leading the charge to protect our oceans, coastlines, and air, as well as ensuring that the city’s zoos continue to be a valuable educational resource to the over 3.5 million visitors they get, each year.

The Return of Manhattanhenge

Neolithic, not natural, but awe-inspiring, and it has us all stopping in our tracks in the middle of the street, year after year. It’s Manhattanhenge, the day that the sun aligns itself with Manhattan’s skyscrapers and avenues and gives a gift that is somewhat Stonehenge, and somewhat Star Wars. The next dates for the event is July 12 and 13. Joining us to discuss the spectacle is astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who is the person who coined the phrase Manhattanhenge.

An Artistic Ode To New York

Join us for this walk down the streets of New York’s cinematic past with acclaimed filmmaker Manfred Kirchheimer and his ode to NYC, documentary “Free Time.”

National shortages of vital chemotherapy medications are forcing physicians to develop workarounds and the Biden administration to mount an all-out government response. The shortage of chemo drugs such as cisplatin and carboplatin are leaving hospitals and doctors with difficult decisions about how to treat their patients – including delaying treatment and even rationing doses in some cases. Tonight, we talk to Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and president-elect of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), about the crisis and its impact on patients and doctors, as well as what is being done at a federal level to increase supply.

"Strength in Solidarity" Annual NYC Pride March Is This Weekend

The annual NYC Pride March returns to Manhattan this weekend, celebrating the contributions and diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker will head this year’s celebration as Grand Marshals. Tonight Randy Wicker joins MetroFocus to talk about his 60+ years in activism for social justice, including his participation in the infamous 1966 “Sip-In” at Julius bar to bring greater awareness to New York laws preventing bartenders from serving LGBT+ people, and his staging in 1962 of perhaps the first ever radio broadcast where gay men spoke for themselves, on WBAI.

Are Democrats taking voters in historically blue cities like New York for granted? Veteran Council Member Justin Brannan, who represents Brooklyn’s largely working class 43rd District, says yes. In a recent op-ed for “City & State,” he argues it’s a serious problem that urgently needs to be corrected. He wrote the piece not long after the City Council’s powerful progressive caucus lost almost half its members after lawmakers were asked to sign a pledge that included doing everything they can to reduce the size and scope of the NYPD. Councilmember Brannan was one of the members who left and he joins us tonight to discuss that decision, his op-ed and where Democrats go from here.

April Is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: The Testicular Cancer Society's Social Media Campaign To Raise Awareness

The “most checked balls on Earth” are right here in New York City. That’s according to a social media campaign from the Testicular Cancer Society, using a lighthearted message to bring attention to a very serious issue. The group is using the famous Wall Street Bull statue to raise awareness on the importance of checking yourself for testicular cancer and decrease the stigma towards the disease. Over 40% of American men never bother to check themselves for testicular cancer even though doctors recommend a self-examination once a month. Tonight, Mike Craycraft, the founder of the Testicular Cancer Society joins us to discuss the media campaign and to raise awareness of the disease.

Millions of Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Now, one of the nation’s premier advocates, Maria Shriver, shares her fight against the illness that afflicted her father more than a decade ago.

Marilu Henner: "How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer"

Marilu Henner, best known for starring on the hit sitcom “Taxi,” joins us with her husband Michael Brown to share their deeply personal and uplifting story of how they beat his bladder and lung cancer- without chemotherapy or radiation. Together, they take us through the tragedy and the triumph in Henner’s autobiography ‘Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer.’

New York City’s migrant crisis is showing no signs of letting up. More than 72,000 migrants have reportedly arrived since last spring, with over 45,000 currently in the city's care. In response, Mayor Eric Adams has carried out several controversial measures and perhaps most controversially, he is challenging New York's unique “right-to-shelter” law that compels the city to provide shelter for all those legitimately experiencing homelessness. One of the most outspoken critics in New York of how this crisis is being handled by the city and the White House is Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, who represents the 11th Congressional District. Rep. Malliotakis joins us tonight with her thoughts on the current situation and her plan for resolving the crisis.

Peril & Promise: NYC Partners with Stony Brook University to Build First-Of-Its-Kind Climate Campus on Governors Island

After years of speculation and bold proposals for Governors Island and its spectacular views of Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams revealed the 172-acre site will become home to the “New York Climate Exchange,” a $700 million campus dedicated to finding solutions to the global climate crisis. In late-April, the city selected a consortium anchored by Stony Brook University to transform parts of the island off Lower Manhattan into a first-of-its kind climate hub, with resources for researchers, students and New Yorkers trying to break into green jobs. Joining us to discuss their winning bid and the future of the Exchange are Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis and Dr. Kevin Reed, faculty lead for the project and an associate professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences.

Tonight, our special “Peril & Promise” coverage continues about the smoke from the Canadian wildfires that engulfed New York City. Though the air quality is slowly improving across the Tri-State, it is still at levels considered to be unhealthy. How will the air quality impact your health? Dr. Jay Varma, a professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and a former senior adviser for public health under then-Mayor Bill de Blasio joins MetroFocus to discuss.

Alzheimer's Awareness Month Report: Alzheimer's Wonder Drug?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, nearly 13 million people will have Alzheimer’s disease by 2050. That is 13 million who could eventually no longer remember their loved ones. But finally, there is a possible ray of hope in an FDA approved drug called Leqembi, that has been shown to slow dementia and could one day save lives. Dr. Nicole Purcell, a neurologist and senior director of clinical practice for the Alzheimer’s Association joins us to discuss the matter.

Tonight, a Special Report on the Code Red air quality alert issued in New York City due to hazardous smoke engulfing the Tri-State region. Dr. Dan Westervelt, an air pollution scientist and assistant research professor at the Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, joins us to explain the threat.

Broadway Week: Reimagining The Hollywood Classic "Some Like It Hot"

The hit 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, is back, this time as a Broadway musical. The new version, which critics call a “jubilant, oldfangled, crowd-pleasing musical comedy,” tells the story of two Prohibition-era musicians on the run from the mob who pose as women in an all-female traveling band. The show has been nominated for 13 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Joining us to discuss how the iconic movie has been reimagined for the stage are the show’s star performers - Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee and Adrianna Hicks.

As Broadway week continues here on MetroFocus, we have an inside look at the latest adaptation of one of the most iconic musicals to ever grace the stage, “Camelot.” The new revival, adapted by Aaron Sorkin, brings a fresh and modern perspective to the classic tale. The show, which can be seen at Lincoln Center Theater, was nominated for 5 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Joining us tonight are the three leads of “Camelot”: Phillipa Soo, Andrew Burnap, and Jordan Donica.

Inside the Museum of Broadway

The Museum of Broadway, located in Manhattan’s theater district, is a 26,000 square foot, three floor building, honoring Broadway’s rich history, and showcasing props, costumes, and other memorabilia from countless Broadway shows. The museum teamed up with internationally renowned artists, designers, and theatre historians to create an interactive experience that highlights groundbreaking moments in Broadway’s history - the moments that pushed creative boundaries, challenged social norms, and paved the way for those who would follow.

Emmy Award-winning legal journalist and co-host of The View Sunny Hostin joins MetroFocus to talk about some of the most pressing issues facing New York City. The South Bronx native shares her insights and opinions on difficult topics facing the city today: gentrification, the immigration crisis, homelessness, and mental health. Hostin also discusses her new bestselling book “Summer on Sag Harbor”, centered on historically Black beachfront community in the Hamptons, and why she wants to provide “elevated” beach reads for readers of color who may not know such communities exist.

Broadway Week: "New York, New York"

MetroFocus continues our Broadway week series with the cast of “New York, New York.” The new Broadway musical loosely based on the Martin Scorsese film of the same name, has taken Broadway by storm, garnering 9 Tony nominations. Featuring a score by John Kander and Frank Ebb, with additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, “New York, New York” is love letter to the “city that never sleeps.” Joining us to discuss the musical are Colton Ryan, who plays Jimmy Doyle; Anna Uzele, who plays Francine Evans; and Emily Skinner, who plays Madame Veltri.

As we gear up to celebrate America’s independence, beloved Hollywood actor Tom Hanks honors the brave warriors who served our country in times of war. See how Hanks teamed up with group of veterans to bring Shakespeare to life in a one-of-a-kind theater production of Henry IV.

When housing on the lowest rung of the American dream is being devoured by the wealthiest of the wealthy, whose dream are we serving? America ReFramed documentary “A Decent Home,” addresses urgent issues of class and economic (im)mobility through the lives of mobile home park residents who can’t afford housing anywhere else. “A Decent Home” is the first documentary to focus on mobile home parks and the injustices faced by park residents. Director Sara Terry joins MetroFocus to talk about the film. We also talk to Empire Justice Center Senior Staff Attorney Kirsten Keefe about the legal rights protections New York legislators have in the works to support residents of the state’s 1,800 trailer home parks.

A Chinese American Tale

Award-wining author Ava Chin (Eating Wildly) traces her ancestors’ journey from China to New York City in a new memoir, “Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming.” Raised by a single mother in 1970s Queens, Chin knew close to nothing about the father who walked out on her. Driven by a need to fill the holes in her personal narrative, she painstakingly pieced together the beats of her family’s migration, coming up against a discrepancy that distorts many families like hers—the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Eventually, Chin zeroed in on a single building in New York’s Chinatown that she learned housed multiple generations from both sides of her family.

Three years after George Floyd’s murder, a celebration of his life at the very place it ended. Tonight, how his family is celebrating his legacy and the progress made since his passing with the annual “Rise and Remember” festival. His aunt, Angela Harris is our special guest.

"Fresh Plywood NYC"

Kurt Boone, urban photographer and author of “Fresh Plywood NYC: Artists Rise Up In The Age Of Black Lives Matter” forgotten story of the artists who painted hundreds of protest murals across New York after George Floyd was killed.

Aggressive and Confrontational. That is what some Republicans have called democratic New York congressman Jamaal Bowman. He says he’s passionate and dedicated. Tonight, the Congressman joins us to discuss his controversial approach to governing and tackle the issues affecting New Yorkers.

"Stars and Shadows: The Politics of Interracial Friendship From Jefferson To Obama"

Rutgers Political Science Professor Saladin Ambar has made it his mission to analyze two centuries of noteworthy interracial friendships that have often served as models for advancing racial equity. He joins us to discuss what we can learn from these extraordinary relationships, which are the foundation of his new book, “Stars and Shadows: The Politics of Interracial Friendship from Jefferson to Obama.”

At least 43 incidents of druggings have been linked to robberies in and outside Manhattan nightclubs since September 2021, involving a mix of both straight and gay NYC bars, and both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ people. Tonight we share the story of one of those victims, and his mother, whose relentless pursuit of justice helped crack the case.

Tonight, Linda Clary shares the story of how she conducted her own investigation to catch the killers of her son, John Umberger, a DC political consultant in town on business, who was drugged and robbed after leaving a NYC gay bar, before authorities ruled his 2022 death a homicide.

MetroFocus Special Report: New York's Response to The Overdoes Epidemic

While healthcare systems were overwhelmed due to the pandemic, individuals most at risk for substance abuse and addiction were isolated and cut off from resources. That has exacerbated New York State’s already severe overdose crisis. At the core of this crisis is a shocking rise in opioid-related deaths: 16 New Yorkers die every day of an overdose. That’s 1 person every 3 hours. Over the next year, MetroFocus will be bringing a series of stories on how New York is changing the way it does things here in and around the city to save lives. Tonight, Special Correspondent Christopher Booker explores how a federal policy change has allowed the state to pursue a Harm Reduction strategy that encompasses everything from the widespread distribution overdose drug Naloxone, to the expansion of needle exchange programs.

A special presentation of The WNET Group, in collaboration with the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), and with the NEw York State Education Department (NYSED), Thirteen, WLIW21, and public broadcasters throughout New York State.

"Aging Together in New York"

There are 4.6 million New Yorkers over the age of 60, ranking New York as the fourth largest population of older adults in the nation. As the demographic shifts, so does the definition of "aging". Son this 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, we're bringing the spunk with New Yorkers who are living that theme to the fullest. From "nonnas" in the kitchen to robot assisted living and a ping pong champ whose passion for pong is proving that age is just a number.

Tonight, U.S. Olympic figure skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi shares her journey from gold medal to champion of childhood literacy and a gives a preview as the Grand Marshal of the 2nd annual Japan Parade coming to Central Park on Saturday, May 13.

QUANTUM LEAP: THE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD CHANGE HUMANITY

Physicist and bestselling author Dr. Michio Kaku joins MetroFocus to discuss his latest book “Quantum Supremacy” on the new technology that he says will change humanity…and it’s not artificial intelligence!

Tonight, we break down the legal troubles facing former President Donald Trump and New York Congressman George Santos. Today, Rep. Santos surrendered himself to authorities at a federal court on Long Island where Justice Department prosecutors charged him with 13-counts of fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds, and lying to Congress. Yesterday, a Manhattan federal jury found former President Trump liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, and they awarded her $5 million in damages for her battery and defamation claims. Joining MetroFocus to discuss both cases is Matthew Galluzzo, a criminal and civil litigator, and a former prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.

NYC’S FIRST FEMALE FIREFIGHTER LEADS THE CHARGE TO BUILD MONUMENTS TO WOMEN

Forty years ago, Brenda Berkman paved the way for women to join the FDNY – winning a federal discrimination lawsuit against the City of New York that made it possible for women become New York City firefighters for the first time in history. After serving 25 years in the FDNY and retiring as Captain, a career that included acting as a first responder during 9/11, Berkman decided to take a leap and follow her passion for activism and for art. The trailblazing firefighter joins MetroFocus to discuss her experiences as one of the first and few women on the force, and about her work for the organization Monumental Woman, which in 2020 unveiled the first statue of real women in Central Park: the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

GUEST: BRENDA BERKMAN – RETIRED FDNY CAPTAIN & VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS, MONUMENTAL WOMEN

Long Island is on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, ranking among the most vulnerable metro areas in the country. Decades of nitrogen pollution from aging septic systems and fertilizer runoff have only made the situation worse, and the Shinnecock Indian Nation is helping lead the fight to keep communities from going underwater. The Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, a multi-generational, women-led nonprofit, is expanding their kelp hatchery and farm in Southampton to counter the effects of climate change and restore the waters they’ve lived on for thousands of years. The group recently teamed up with The Nature Conservancy, the global conservation organization, on their expansion and joining us to discuss these efforts are: Tela Troge, Director of the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, and Tiffany Waters, Global Aquaculture Manager for The Nature Conservancy.

Inside Akwesasne Freedom School

Jenna Flanagan travels to the Akwesasne Freedom School in upstate New York for a firsthand look at a Mohawk tribe’s fight to reclaim its roots by taking control of its children’s education- starting with an encouraged ban on speaking English, in favor of their native language and culture.

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, each day on average 20 veterans take their own lives. To bring awareness to this crisis, BraveHearts, the leading equine rehabilitation program for veterans, annually embarks on its “Trail to Zero” ride in New York City. Veterans make a 20-mile journey on horseback through the streets of New York City – one mile for every veteran lost to suicide daily. Tonight, as part of National Military Appreciation Month, we revisit our interview with BraveHearts Administrative Director Jeanna Sorgani and Marine Corps veteran Ben Jalove who discussed the ride, as well as the benefits of equine therapy for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

MetroFocus Special Report: Meet the "Paws of War"

They are the four-legged companions helping the nation’s veterans recover from the emotional effects of war.

GUEST: LAURA MORTON – CO-DIRECTOR, “ANXIOUS NATION”

GUEST: VANESSA ROTH – CO-DIRECTOR, “ANXIOUS NATION”

GUEST: SEVEY MORTON – TEEN MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

Sophia Bush, known for her starring roles on the iconic tv shows One Tree Hill and Chicago PD, along with her business partner, Nia Batts, is leading the charge in a new type of business approach, called social entrepreneurship. The two women have been working together for years to invest in projects that make a positive impact on society and uplift women across the country. From creating a new type of hair salon that caters to all women, to investing in America’s smaller, and often forgotten cities, to partnering with the first fully women funded, owned, and operated bank in the country. Sophia Bush joins MetroFocus to discuss how high-profile investors can leverage their fame, business experience, and access to capital to help others.

New Yorker Discusses Upcoming Civilian Mission to Orbit The Moon

For the first time ever, a group of everyday civilians will be going to space to orbit the moon. The SpaceX expedition, known as dearMoon, is being paid for by Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, who will not only be going on the trip himself, but who has also selected eight others to join him, free of charge. Over one million people applied for the six-day journey, all of them artists without any prior experience in outer space. The eight lucky winners were those who Maezawa believed could push the boundaries of their respective fields and most help society in some way by being a part of this expedition. One of the artists chosen, Brendan Hall, is a New York-based documentary filmmaker, and he joins MetroFocus to discuss the upcoming 2023 dearMoon mission.

GUEST: BRENDAN HALL – NEW YORK DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER WHO WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST CIVILIANS TO ORBIT THE MOON

"Missing Generations": The New York Exhibition Ensuring New Yorkers Never Forget The Holocaust

In the midst of the seeming resurgence of antisemitism around the world and the ignorance about the basic facts of the Holocaust that survey after survey demonstrate, there’s a new exhibition in the New York area focused on not only the horrors of the Holocaust but also the resiliency of the Jewish community where it was nearly annihilated. The exhibition titled “Missing Generations: Photographs by Jill Freedman” is now showing at the Derfner Judaica Museum and the Art Collection at RiverSpring Living. Joining MetroFocus to discuss the exhibit are Susan Chevlowe, chief curator and museum director, and Daniel Reingold, President and CEO of RiverSpring living, the nonprofit organization serving more than 18,000 older adults in Greater New York.

Listening In: "Spotlight on Antisemitism"

As part of our ongoing “Listening In” series, we team up with the 92nd Street Y - one of New York City’s longest-running cultural institutions - to bring you some of the most important and thought-provoking discussions taking place in our city. Tonight, we listen in on New York Times columnist Bret Stephens and Rabbi Peter J. Rubinstein’s conversation on antisemitism, its pervasive nature and how it is being used as a political pawn from both the right and the left.

New York City is full of rags-to-riches stories but few have a story to tell quite like billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis. Born in Greece, Catsimatidis immigrated to Harlem as a baby and eventually dropped out of college to work full-time in the grocery business. Today that business, which includes the Gristedes chain of supermarkets, has transformed into Red Apple Group, a conglomerate with interests in everything from real estate to energy refining and WABC news talk radio. Catsimatidis is also a prominent political player, running for mayor in 2013 and donating to everyone from President Clinton to President Trump. John Catsimatidis joins MetroFocus to discuss the nation’s political future, the secrets to his success and his new book, “How Far Do You Want To Go? Lessons from a Common-Sense Billionaire.”

Preserving "The Boss": How The Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music Came To Be

If you know anything about music icon Bruce Springsteen you know that he’s a Jersey guy, the Jersey Shore to be precise. So, it might not be a surprise to learn that the Bruce Springsteen Archives have found a home there at Monmouth University, but you might be surprised at the extent of the archives, how some of Bruce’s biggest fans helped start the collection, and why the project has expanded to now constitute the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. Joining us to discuss the creation of the archives, the center and what they have to offer is Grammy Award-winning music historian Bob Santelli, the new executive director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.

The Bronx is home to the city’s highest concentration of people living in poverty, with 1 in 3 women lacking the proper resources to support themselves and their families. In 2018, MetroFocus brought you a story about two organizations working together to try to solve this problem, the PepsiCo Foundation and Robin Hood Foundation, the city’s largest poverty fighting group. Over the past five years, the two organizations have been collaborating to support education and workforce training programs for thousands of young women in the Bronx. Tonight, as part of our Chasing the Dream initiative on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity in America, we are following-up with the PepsiCo and Robin Hood teams to hear just how successful this collaboration has been.

Acclaimed Film Historian Reflects on 35 Years of Celebrity Interviews at the 92NY

For the past 35 years, the 92nd Street Y has hosted a regular discussion series called “Reel Pieces,” focused on giving New Yorkers an inside look at the biggest movies of our times. Since its inception, the 92NY’s signature film series, which has featured conversations with actors, directors, and early preview screenings of movies not yet released, has been hosted by Annette Insdorf, a world-renowned film historian, author and academic. Through her time moderating “Reel Pieces,” and her work as a film professor at Yale and Columbia, Annette has interreacted with countless filmmakers, such as: Meryl Streep, Sidney Poitier, Greta Gerwig, and Martin Scorsese, just to name a few. She joins MetroFocus to share behind the scenes stories of these movie legends.

What will it mean for America if its vibrant cities and towns are remade as enclaves where only the wealthy can thrive? How do campaigns for housing equality amplify moral calls for racial and economic justice? How is housing activism today informed by ancestral wisdom about settler colonialism, anti-Blackness, xenophobia, and old-fashioned greed? What can organizers on the frontlines of those experiences teach people across the United States about empowering communities and disrupting historic inequality? In tonight’s conversation we preview The WNET Group’s upcoming virtual town hall series, Close To Home. Over the next five weeks the series will gather with frontline thinkers and doers to examine the core topic through a specific lens: housing and economic justice, food sovereignty and security, homelessness and community, cultural displacement, and media narratives about housing. Series participants Renee Goust, a Mexican-American singer-songwriter and activist; Rosalinda Guillen, founder of the food justice organization Community To Community; Felukah, an Egyptian born and New York based rapper and activist; Mark Crain, Executive Director at Dream of Detroit; and Nushrat Rahman, a Detroit Free Press reporter as Report for America corps member join MetroFocus to lead this candid conversation about housing equality.

Local Law 97, part of New York City’s Climate Mobilization Act of 2019, is one of the country’s boldest climate laws, with half a dozen other municipalities pursuing similar models. Its goal is to cut carbon emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050 by setting increasingly stringent limits on the city’s biggest greenhouse gas polluters — buildings. But as New York Times Real Estate Reporter Stefanos Chen found out, with enforcement of the first phase of the law only a year away, many New York apartment buildings are struggling to make the costly upgrades necessary to comply; risking millions of dollars in penalties if they fail to do so and setting back efforts to a more sustainable future for the city.

Peril & Promise - New York's "Compost Champion" Leads Fight to Save The Planet

In New York City, where one-third of garbage is compostable, there’s a woeful shortage of composting services — especially for the one in 15 people who live in public housing. To prevent that trash from ending up in landfills and contributing to global warming, Domingo Morales has made it his personal mission to spread the power of composting to all New Yorkers. He started the organization “Compost Power” that maintains a growing number of public housing composting sites across the city. Tonight, he joins us to discuss how this grassroots campaign is helping combat global warming and promote inclusivity.

In the new book “Bet on Black,” attorney, television and podcast host, Eboni K. Williams, delves into some of the cornerstones of leading a first-class Black life, ranging from knowing one’s history to understanding the power of representation to investing in the sometimes-challenging processes of success. She joins MetroFocus to discuss her latest work and her time as the first Black cast member of “Real Housewives of New York City.”

Artificial Intelligence in School: Meet The Teacher Requiring Students to Use ChatGPT

A new artificial intelligence (AI) program, ChatGPT, is sweeping the internet. The free software can do everything from writing essays, film scripts, and poetry, to passing graduate level law and business school exams. This revolutionary software, while no doubt exciting, also concerns many educators, who feel that students could abuse the software by using it to easily cheat on school assignments. New York City is one of several large school districts that has already banned students from using ChatGPT, as officials review the potential pros and cons of giving students access to such a powerful resource. Not all educators agree on this issue, though. Some, feel that AI is an emerging skill that we should be encouraging young people to pursue to better prepare them for the workforce of the future. One such educator, Dr. Ethan Mollick, an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, joins MetroFocus to discuss why he not only encourages the use of ChatGPT in the classroom - he requires it.

Forty years ago, Brenda Berkman paved the way for women to join the FDNY – winning a federal discrimination lawsuit against the City of New York that made it possible for women become New York City firefighters for the first time in history. After serving 25 years in the FDNY and retiring as Captain, a career that included acting as a first responder during 9/11, Berkman decided to take a leap and follow her passion for activism and for art. The trailblazing firefighter joins MetroFocus to discuss her experiences as one of the first and few women on the force, and about her work for the organization Monumental Woman, which in 2020 unveiled the first statue of real women in Central Park: the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument of Sojourner Truth, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

"Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY"

For nearly a century the Feehan family has been at the heart of the New York City Fire Department. From the dawn of the motorized fire truck to the September 11th attacks, at least one member of the Feehan family has worn the FDNY patch. First Deputy Commissioner Bill Feehan was the highest-ranking member of the department killed on 9/11 and two decades later his legacy lives on thanks in part to his family. Their extraordinary service and how it reflects the history of the department is the foundation of author Brian McDonald’s new book, “Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY,” and the New York Times bestselling writer joins MetroFocus to discuss this New York family’s lasting impact.

Sword-swallowers, fire-breathers, and “natural-borns” are just a few of the performers who make up the Coney Island Circus Sideshow. MetroFocus has your backstage pass to a community that is filled with a rich history and a legacy dating back nearly one hundred years.

Why is there so much poverty in America? Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist Matthew Desmond answers that complicated question in his latest work, “Poverty, By America,” arguing this suffering persists nationwide because people of means benefit from it often without even realizing. Demond, who serves as chair of sociology at Princeton University, joins MetroFocus to share his wake-up call to affluent Americans and why ending poverty is not as impossible as we might think.

Nearly 13 million people will have Alzheimer's Disease by 2050. That's 13 million who could eventually no longer remember their families. But finally, a ray of hope in a new FDA approved drug called Leqembi, that has been shown to slow dementia and will one day save lives. So why won't Medicare cover it? Dr. Nicole Purcell, neurologist and Senior Director of Clinical Practice for the Alzheimer's Association joins us.

What is it like to live on the spectrum?

This Autism Awareness Month, Dr. Andy Shih, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks delves into what it's like to live on the spectrum, what we know about autism, and what we can do to create a more inclusive and accommodating society.

The hit 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, is back, this time as a Broadway musical. The new version, which critics call a “jubilant, oldfangled, crowd-pleasing musical comedy,” tells the story of two Prohibition-era musicians on the run from the mob who pose as women in an all-female traveling band. But it adds fabulous singing and dancing and some modern twists. Joining us to discuss how the iconic movie has been reimagined for the stage are the show’s star performers - Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee and Adrianna Hicks.

The Museum of Broadway Opens in NYC

New York’s first ever museum solely dedicated to Broadway is now officially open. The Museum of Broadway, located in Manhattan’s theater district, is a 26,000 square foot, three floor building, honoring Broadway’s rich history, and showcasing props, costumes, and other memorabilia from countless Broadway shows. The museum teamed up with internationally renowned artists, designers, and theatre historians to create an interactive experience that highlights groundbreaking moments in Broadway’s history - the moments that pushed creative boundaries, challenged social norms, and paved the way for those who would follow.

For as long as women have been in the workforce, “having it all” has meant “doing it all”- leaving working mothers burned out, unhealthy, and unsatisfied. Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, says now is the time for the workplace to “PAY UP” in her book outlining The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different than You Think.) and she joins us tonight.

New York’s controversial bail reform law, which took effect in January of 2020, eliminated the use of cash bail for most misdemeanors and some nonviolent felony charges, in an attempt to ensure that no one would have to sit in jail, simply because they couldn’t afford to pay their way out. Over the past few years, the law has been harshly criticized by Republicans, and even some Democrats, who argue that these changes to our pretrial system are the main reason we saw a spike in violent crimes in 2020. One such Democrat is Albany County District Attorney David Soares, who says he was uninvited from testifying at a recent state hearing reviewing bail reform, because of his public opposition to the law. He joins MetroFocus to discuss the matter.

Spencer Schneider on "Manhattan Cult Story"

When Spencer Schneider was a 29-year-old Manhattan corporate lawyer, he was invited by an acquaintance to attend a secret meeting of a group known by its members simply as, “School.” Brought in by its charismatic leader, he joined other highly successful New Yorkers but soon found himself trapped in one of the nation’s most secretive and abusive cults. Spencer Schneider joins us tonight to discuss his new book, “Manhattan Cult Story: My Unbelievable True Story of Sex, Crimes, Chaos, and Survival”, in which he tells how and why he joined the cult, and how he got out after 23 years.

Unlike all previous presidents who’ve held distinguished positions in government or the military prior to entering office, Donald Trump's political worldview was molded in the courtroom. Author James Zirin offers a comprehensive analysis of the former president’s legal history that reveals his temperament, character, methods, and morality.

American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps, and The Marriage of Money and Power

Investigative journalist and author Andrea Bernstein examines “American Oligarchs” and the rise of the Trump and Kushner families to the pinnacle of wealth and power.

Are Democrats taking voters in historically blue cities like New York for granted? Veteran Council Member Justin Brannan, who represents Brooklyn’s largely working class 43rd District, says yes. In a recent op-ed for “City & State,” he argues it’s a serious problem that urgently needs to be corrected. He wrote the piece not long after the City Council’s powerful progressive caucus lost almost half its members after lawmakers were asked to sign a pledge that included doing everything they can to reduce the size and scope of the NYPD. Councilmember Brannan was one of the members who left and he joins us tonight to discuss that decision, his op-ed and where Democrats go from here.

April Is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: The Testicular Cancer Society's Social Media Campaign To Raise Awareness

The “most checked balls on Earth” are right here in New York City. That’s according to a social media campaign from the Testicular Cancer Society, using a lighthearted message to bring attention to a very serious issue. The group is using the famous Wall Street Bull statue to raise awareness on the importance of checking yourself for testicular cancer and decrease the stigma towards the disease. Over 40% of American men never bother to check themselves for testicular cancer even though doctors recommend a self-examination once a month. Tonight, Mike Craycraft, the founder of the Testicular Cancer Society joins us to discuss the media campaign and to raise awareness of the disease.

Affordable housing, or the lack of it, is one of New York City’s most constant and pervasive issues. The need for innovative solutions to our housing problem has never been greater: perpetual rent hikes, the city’s homelessness crisis, and the never-ending fight between those who want more affordable housing and those who do not. In partnership with WNYC, we bring you a special conversation aimed at addressing these issues- Josefa Velásquez, an Editor for WNYC, recently sat down with Mayor Eric Adams at New York Public Radio’s iconic The Green Space, to hear directly from the Mayor himself about his plan for the future of housing in New York City. Click here to watch the full WNYC interview.

There are over 200,000 people on Long Island currently suffering from food insecurity, and almost 70,000 of them are children. Long Island Cares, the food bank originally founded by Grammy Award-winning artist Harry Chapin, is hoping to change that by providing millions of meals and workforce development programs to our fellow New Yorkers in need. The President and CEO of Long Island Cares, Paule Pachter joins us to discuss the issue, as part of our Chasing The Dream initiative on poverty, justice, and economic opportunity in America.

CHASING THE DREAM: WOMEN-RUN FARM IN NEW YORK IS RECLAIMING THE “POWER OF FARMING”

We tell the story of a groundbreaking urban farming initiative in Chester, New York called the Rise & Root Farm and introduce you to one of the four women co-founders who is reclaiming the power of farming. As part of our Chasing The Dream initiative, we talk to Rise & Root Farm co-owner Karen Washington about the seeds she has been sowing since 1985 to grant New Yorkers of all ages and races, a more just and representative model of farming while providing abundant and nutritious food for their community.

March is Long Covid Awareness Month.

Our two-night special coverage on long COVID continues, and this evening we focus on the possible causes and debilitating effects of this condition. Why do some people with long COVID have symptoms which seem to last so long? What is being done to help the millions of Americans now suffering from it, and what more can we be doing? Joining us again for this discussion are Kevin Devine, a Staten Island resident who after two years is still struggling with long COVID; Diana Berrent, a Long Island activist, advocate, and founder of Survivor Corps, the largest long COVID support and advocacy group in the nation; and Dr. Rainu Kaushal, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research at Weill Cornell Medicine, who is spearheading a multimillion-dollar study on long COVID and is one of the medical leaders selected for the NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) initiative.

March is Long Covid Awareness Month.

Up to 1-in-5 adults who’ve survived COVID-19 are living with long COVID, a condition characterized by up to 200 symptoms that persist long after the initial infection is gone and can affect the body for months or even years. It’s estimated that 1 million Americans have been forced to leave the labor force due to medical complications from long COVID, and even more have been impacted by long-term symptoms. Tonight, in part-one of our special two-night discussion, we’ll hear from: Kevin Devine, a Staten Island resident who after two years is still struggling with long COVID; Diana Berrent, a Long Island activist, advocate, and founder of Survivor Corps, the largest long COVID support and advocacy group in the nation; and Dr. Rainu Kaushal, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Research at Weill Cornell Medicine, who is spearheading a multimillion-dollar study on long COVID and is one of the medical leaders selected for the NIH Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) initiative.

New York City is facing a shoplifting epidemic with retail workers and business owners fearing they could be targeted next and it could turn violent. State lawmakers have taken notice and there’s now a push in Albany to better protect workers after shoplifting complaints nearly doubled last year. Two of the legislature’s newest members want to treat retail employees as essential workers similar to police or firefighters, and make it a felony to commit even minor assaults against them. Joining us to discuss these efforts are State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton of Staten Island and Brooklyn, and Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos of Northern Manhattan.

SHUTTING DOWN THE PUPPY MILL PIPELINE

Pet lovers across New York are celebrating a new bill, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul to protect animal rights. The law, which takes effect in 2024, will ban the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits at pet stores across New York State, and place restrictions on how many animal breeders are allowed to sell. Several other states already have pet sale bans in place, making New York just the latest state to join the fight to end what is called the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline, and the animal abuse that comes with it. New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris joins MetroFocus to discuss the latest developments.

New York City’s youth represent the future of the city. But seldom have policy makers and elected officials asked young people about the issues that matter to them most. A group of young students and advocates are making their mission to change that. For the last two years, NYC Youth Agenda Coalition, comprised of high-school and college-aged students from across the five boroughs, has been putting together a set of policy proposals based on the concerns and priorities of surveyed NYC youth. The young advocates first came together in 2020 to spotlight and address the issues NYC youth faced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matters protests, increasing youth mental health crisis, and more. Tonight, members of the NYC Youth Agenda Steering Committee talk about their newly unveiled 2023 NYC Youth Agenda, a set of recommendations that they have presented to leaders at City Hall. The young advocates talk about the key issues spotlighted in the most recent survey: economic mobility, educational equity, environmental justice, housing security, and mental health.

Former President Donald Trump, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, could be indicted and arrested in Manhattan as early as this week. Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies are preparing for the unprecedented - the criminal indictment of a former president, and the possible unrest that could follow. This all stems from the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s investigation into “hush money” payments Trump allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Over the weekend, Trump predicted on his social media platform Truth Social that he will be arrested on Tuesday, and he called on his supporters to protest and quote “take our nation back!” The former president’s posts were reminiscent of his tweets prior to the January 6th insurrection in 2021, raising fears that the unrest from that day could be repeated, this time in New York City. Joining MetroFocus to discuss the case are attorney and former Trump 2016 campaign adviser, Sam Nunberg; former federal prosecutor for the Southern District for New York and adjunct professor of clinical law at NYU School of Law, Jennifer Rodgers; and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and political analyst, Ellis Henican.

One of the most important figures in the fight for civil rights may be someone that you never heard of. Pauli Murray- a lawyer, activist, and writer was ahead of their time. They refused to give up their seat on a bus 15 years before Rosa Parks famously did. They argued that separate but equal was unconstitutional 10 years before the Supreme Court made that decision. And they were one of the first lawyers to argue that women should be protected equally under the 14th amendment. In addition to their professional work, Pauli Murray was a trailblazer in their personal life, never conforming to traditional gender roles that they did not identify with and paving the way for queer and gender non-conforming activists that came after them. Tonight, award-winning co-directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen join us to discuss their documentary “My Name is Pauli Murray.”

What can parents with special needs children do to optimize their children's education and quality of life? One answer for New York parents is The IDEAL School of Manhattan, which has been a game changer for many families as New York’s only K-12+ independent inclusion school. The school was founded in 2006 by three mothers with sons with Down syndrome. Their goal: create a diverse and inclusive independent school that affirms and accepts the full identities of all students. The concept of inclusive education is simple but transformative - students with disabilities learn in the same classrooms alongside their typically developing peers. Tonight, a conversation with two of the co-founders of the school, Audra Zuckerman and Michelle Smith, about the challenges and successes of delivering inclusive education in New York City.

IRSHAD MANJI ON GENDER ROLES AND LABELS

Outspoken author, activist, and founder of “The Moral Courage Project” at University of Southern California, offers perspective on labels, gender roles, and our divided nation.

WQXR, New York City’s only all classical music station, recently launched a podcast titled, Every Voice with Terrance McKnight. The podcast is a 16-episode series spotlighting marginalized voices, histories and perspectives in the Western classical music traditions. Joining MetroFocus is the host of the series, WQXR’s Terrance McKnight, who discusses the debut season of Every Voice exploring Black representation in opera through interviews with performers and educators, historical documents, and archival performance recordings.

THE MOTH: ONE WOMAN’S JOURNEY FROM DOCTOR TO ACTIVIST

Our CINDY Award-winning report takes you behind the scenes of the storytelling series, “The Moth,” to share the stories of struggle and triumph of women in the world. We hear the emotional and inspiring story of Kusum Thapa, who shares her journey as a doctor who now trains frontline health workers in their response to Gender-based violence in Nepal.

WOMEN IN THE WORLD: UNSUNG HEROES

An aid worker and committed journalist risks her life to help others in Yemen and to tell their story.

A state assembly member has introduced legislation in Albany to end the practice of forced prison labor, and to require that incarcerated people make at least minimum wage for their work. The bills would abolish slavery without exception in New York’s constitution and extend workers’ protections to incarcerated New Yorkers. New York is among a dwindling number of states with no such protection for inmates. Advocates say it’s a move that is long overdue, and part of a nationwide movement to close the “slavery loophole” in the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery at the federal level with one exception: when used as punishment for a crime. Tonight, we’re joined by New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, who sponsored the legislation, as well as prison reform advocates Jesse Koklas and Johnny Perez, a formerly incarcerated New Yorker who shares his experience of being threatened with solitary confinement while working for pennies an hour sewing underwear, pillowcases, and sheets.

A LESSON IN LEADERSHIP

In her book “Leadership In Turbulent Times,” famed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin explores our history to make sense of today’s national narrative by focusing on four Presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The brutal killing of a New York City grandmother in her Upper West Side apartment is reinforcing fears among some older New Yorkers that they’re not safe in the city. It's also empowering others to spread the potentially life-saving lessons of martial arts to seniors. Maria Hernandez was discovered bound and strangled in January and two men have been charged with her murder. The case underscores the rise in violence targeting older New Yorkers with The New York Times reporting that violent crimes against people 65 and older rose about 10 percent last year. It’s part of the overall major crime surge prompting some New Yorkers to literally take matters into their own hands, including Doris Ling-Cohan, a retired New York Supreme Court judge who learned martial arts to help her and others stay safe. She joins us tonight along with Maria Cramer, the Times police bureau chief whose reporting helped draw attention to these issues, and Jack Kupferman, the president of Gray Panthers NYC, which works to combat ageism.

“WE ARE THE RADICAL MONARCHS”

The Radical Monarchs have made waves with their focus on social justice and on challenging the status quo. The organization is the subject of a POV documentary, “We Are The Radical Monarchs”, which follows the founders and the growth of the organization’s very first troop, as they navigate complicated issues of identity, race, and allyship as young girls. Tonight, co-founders, Marilyn Hollinquest and Anayvette Martinez, Anayvette’s daughter Lupita, who was the inspiration for the creation of the Radical Monarchs, and Linda Goldstein Knowlton, the director and producer of the documentary take us inside the radical movement of radical strength.

The country’s racial awakening following the murder of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter movement has spurred several state and local governments to begin to study, and even enact, ways to financially compensate Black Americans for the historic injustice of slavery. New York is now the latest state looking to join the conversation on reparations. Mayor Eric Adams has signaled his support for the idea and Albany is considering a new bill to create a commission to study, and ultimately make recommendations, on statewide reparations. Tonight, we are joined by New York State Senator Jabari Brisport, the sponsor of the bill to create a commission to study reparations here in New York State.

“REPRESENT: THE WOMAN’S GUIDE TO RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND CHANGING THE WORLD”

Actor and comedian, June Diane Raphael joins MetroFocus to discuss her step-by-step guide inspiring women to “represent” and run for office.

In the upcoming book “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?: An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion Dollar Empire,” celebrated attorney, philanthropist, and author Loida Lewis shares her journey from her early days in the Philippines to her high-powered career as a New York lawyer. She also details shepherding a billion dollar, multinational corporation to record earnings after her husband, famed businessman Reginald Lewis, passed away. Loida Lewis joins MetroFocus on International Women’s Day to discuss her new book as part of our Chasing the Dream initiative.

“KENNEDY’S AVENGER: ASSASSINATION, CONSPIRACY, AND THE FORGOTTEN TRIAL OF JACK RUBY”

At a time when conspiracies are more prevalent than ever, ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams takes us back to examine one of the nation’s biggest and most known conspiracy theories in his the book, “Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy, and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby.” Despite having more eyewitnesses than any other crime in history – to this day – few would remember the bizarre trial that followed three months later in Dallas, Texas. How exactly does one defend a man who was seen pulling the trigger in front of millions? And, more importantly, how did Jack Ruby, who fired point-blank into Oswald live on television, die an innocent man? Dan Abrams joins MetroFocus to discuss the incredible story.

After the pandemic and amid the current surge in crime, New York City is without a doubt going through a serious transition. But it’s obviously not the first time the city has experienced such a major transformation, so what lessons can we learn from the various evolutions New York has gone through, particularly since the massive fiscal crisis hit just over 40 years ago? That near financial catastrophe and the city’s evolutions since are the focus of award-winning author Thomas Dyja’s most recent book, “New York, New York, New York: Four Decades of Success, Excess, and Transformation.” He joins MetroFocus to discuss what the past can teach us as the city begins its next evolution.

We are facing a food crisis here in New York City, with over 1 million New Yorkers currently experiencing food insecurity. For the past 40 years, Food Bank for New York City has been working to end hunger in the five boroughs, by providing healthy meals to New Yorkers and attempting to address the structural issues that contribute to food insecurity. Volunteers, advocates, donors, and campaigns, like the Justice Served initiative, are crucial aspects of the food bank’s fight against hunger. Tonight, we’ll discuss those efforts, as well as services outside of providing meals, that the Food Bank for New York City offers.

“AT HOME WITH MUHAMMAD ALI”

In the boxing ring, Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, but what was he like when the gloves came off? His daughter, Hana Ali, shares the intimate side of growing up with “The Greatest” in her book “At Home with Muhammad Ali.”

Throughout the course of the ongoing reckoning over racial injustice, there’s been a push to understand our past more fully as we attempt to build a better future. But this reexamination of our nation’s complicated history didn’t just start in 2020. It’s been going on for years. Roughly a decade ago, Civil Rights Attorney and John Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Gloria Browne-Marshall started work on what would become “She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power -- 1619 to 1969.” The book reveals the courage Black women have demonstrated in the face of overwhelming racial prejudice and gender oppression. It also illustrates how they became leaders, organizers, lawyers, and judges in the fight for equality. As part of our ongoing Chasing the Dream coverage, Professor Browne-Marshall joins us to explore the stories of these true American heroes.

It might sound surprising that with all the challenges New York City is facing, from skyrocketing rents to surging crime, the city’s population is growing. But that’s not the case for every demographic, especially African Americans, whose numbers are headed in the opposite direction. A recent Gothamist analysis found the number of non-Hispanic Black residents declined by more than 125,000 over a 20-year period. It is reportedly one of the largest such declines among major cities nationwide, so why are so many Black New Yorkers deciding to pack up and leave? And what could the ramifications be both culturally, economically and politically for the city if this continues? Joining us to discuss are: Arya Sundaram, race and justice reporter for Gothamist/WNYC whose story, “The African American Exodus from New York City,” spotlights these issues; Dr. Zulema Blair, who studies the city’s changing Black population at CUNY Medgar Evers College; and Anthony Cunningham and Joanne Saget, the husband-and-wife team who owned a heralded Brooklyn restaurant before relocating to North Carolina.

Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America is a multi-platform public media initiative that provides a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on American society. Major funding for this initiative is provided by The JPB Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Ford Foundation.

Like many performing arts, the theatre world has struggled with a lack of diversity. The industry has pledged to change it. But the fact remains that theatre remains a predominantly white space. Tonight, we talk with renowned director Sheldon Epps about his own efforts to bring inclusion and representation to the stage. Epps was the artistic director of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse for two decades, and currently serves as senior artistic advisor at historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. His new book, “My Own Directions: A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theatre,” describes how his journey in the American theatre has been amplified by his experience as a Black man who has frequently been “one of the few,” “the first” or even “the only.”

EMMANUEL ACHO’S “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN”

Emmanuel Acho’s “Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man” began as engaging and intuitive conversations on Instagram. Now in a book, in collaboration with Oprah Winfrey, the former NFL linebacker and sports analyst is gathering those thoughts and answers to tackle systematic racism in America and encourage anti-racist work.

The massive influx of nearly 50,000 asylum-seekers is testing New York's ability to humanely respond to a crisis Mayor Eric Adams says has stretched the city to its limit. One of the major flashpoints unfolded this month when police cleared an encampment of migrant men outside a Manhattan hotel after the group refused to move to an emergency shelter at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal amid reports of too many people living squeezed together. The non-profit immigration news site Documented recently traveled to the Brooklyn facility and other shelters to hear what migrants had to say about the conditions and the challenges of trying to rebuild their lives in New York. Joining us to discuss their reporting and the larger crisis are Documented newsletter writer, Fisayo Okare, and engagement journalist, Rommel Ojeda.

CHASING THE DREAM - HOME OWNERSHIP: A TALE OF TWO AMERICAS

Tonight on MetroFocus we take a look at home ownership and the creation of two divergent Americas. From the suburban developments of Levittown, where Black residents were explicitly forbidden from owning homes to the redlining policies in cities like Baltimore and New York. Independent Lens explores the many ways housing policy has been manipulated over the years to discriminate against people of color and left many white Americans also trapped in decaying communities. Director Giorgio Angelini joins us as a part of our Chasing The Dream initiative to discuss his documentary “Owned: A Tale Of Two Americas.”

A new artificial intelligence (AI) program, ChatGPT, is sweeping the internet. The free software can do everything from writing essays, film scripts, and poetry, to passing graduate level law and business school exams. This revolutionary software, while no doubt exciting, also concerns many educators, who feel that students could abuse the software by using it to easily cheat on school assignments. New York City is one of several large school districts that has already banned students from using ChatGPT, as officials review the potential pros and cons of giving students access to such a powerful resource. Not all educators agree on this issue, though. Some, feel that AI is an emerging skill that we should be encouraging young people to pursue to better prepare them for the workforce of the future. One such educator, Dr. Ethan Mollick, an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, joins MetroFocus to discuss why he not only encourages the use of ChatGPT in the classroom - he requires it.

HOW EXTREMIST GROUPS ARE RECRUITING YOUNG PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As the country continues to grapple with a rise in right-wing extremism, many are left to wonder, “Why are so many young people seduced by so much hatred?” Joanna Schroeder is a writer, editor, media critic, and a mother of three - who focuses on gender and parenting issues. In her New York Times op-ed piece, “Racists Are Recruiting. Watch Your White Sons.”, she lays out how a combination of cultural changes, social media and the awkwardness of adolescence have created a fertile ground for extremists to feed off of. Tonight, Ms. Schroeder joins us to the discuss ways to protect young people from being indoctrinated into violent white supremacist groups – before it’s too late.

Dance superstar Misty Copeland knows a thing or two about breaking barriers, and this fall she’s pointing to the power of ballet to help New York City kids chase their dreams.  Misty, the American Ballet Theatre’s first Black principal dancer, recently launched the “Be Bold” initiative with a free, 12-week program for children 8 to 10 that includes about 120 students from local Boys and Girls Clubs. The goal is to eventually train and mentor thousands of kids, especially Black and Latino students often not seen on stage.  Misty joins MetroFocus to discuss this groundbreaking initiative and her new memoir, The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson.

Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America is a multi-platform public media initiative that provides a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on American society. Major funding for this initiative is provided by The JPB Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Ford Foundation.

It was announced last week that former President Jimmy Carter decided to forego medical treatment and instead receive hospice care at his home in Georgia. Tonight, we look back at the 98-year-old former President’s life and legacy, including his tie to New York City – with the Lower East Side being the site of the first project he did with Habitat for Humanity. Presidential historian and founder of George Washington University’s History News Network Rick Shenkman joins us.

“THE PRESIDENTS”

Tonight, we rebroadcast our interview with presidential historian Tim Naftali regarding the PBS documentary series “American Experience: The Presidents,” which looks at the critical moments of consequential modern presidents: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush.

At age 12, Vic Barrett experienced the wrath of Superstorm Sandy, and noticed how the storm disproportionately affected people of color. Years later, Barrett is one of 21 plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States, the groundbreaking lawsuit moving through the courts which alleges that the federal government violated Vic’s rights by knowing for decades that fossil fuels create pollution that leads to climate change.

In an effort to fight the increase in shoplifting that has taken place over the past few years; the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, responsible for strengthening the over 300 businesses on Fordham Road in the Bronx, has launched a new initiative called the patrol ambassador program. As part of the program, five paid and licensed security guards, with ties to the community, have been hired to patrol the Fordham Road area, one of the largest and most diverse shopping centers in the nation. Their goal is to use a community-based approach to discourage crime by providing additional sets of eyes to report any suspicious activity or criminal acts taking place. To discuss this program, and if community-based security is the key to lowering crime, is New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz and the Director of Outreach for the Fordham Road Business Improvement District, Albert Dalipi.

CONVERSATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH: RACE, EQUITY & THE RETURN TO THE OFFICE

Tonight we’re talking about workers who have returned to the office and why so many employees of color are anxious about going back to the in-person workplace. Tara Jaye Frank, an equity strategist who advises companies on workplace culture, diversity, equity and inclusion tells us microaggressions are to blame because they may be out of sight, but they are not out of mind.

Now streaming on HBO Max, 38 AT THE GARDEN chronicles the extraordinary ascendance of point guard Jeremy Lin during his landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks. Lin, an undrafted Harvard graduate, shocked fans, stunned his teammates and galvanized Asians around the world when he scored 38 points at Madison Square Garden against the Los Angeles Lakers, solidifying Lin’s hot streak and the “Linsanity” craze. A decade later, Lin’s stature as a groundbreaking, cultural icon stands in stark relief to the recent hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. 38 AT THE GARDEN recognizes a pivotal moment in time for Lin and celebrates a phenomenon that was bigger than basketball for the world. 38 AT THE GARDEN director Frank Chi joins us. 

Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer and historian Jon Meacham takes fresh look at Abraham Lincoln in a new book “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle.” Meacham describes how a president who governed a divided country has much to teach us in a twenty-first-century moment of polarization and political crisis. Tonight, Meacham opens up on the former president’s leadership and explains why he chose to dissect his legacy now.

“How different might our country look if all of us fully understood what had happened here?” On this Juneteenth weekend, that is the question author Clint Smith sets out to answer in “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History Of Slavery Across America” through visits to nine places that memorialize or distort their link to the legacy of slavery, from Monticello, in Charlottesville, Va., to the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan.

For more information on “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History Of Slavery Across America,” click here.

Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America is a multi-platform public media initiative that provides a deeper understanding of the impact of poverty on American society. Major funding for this initiative is provided by The JPB Foundation. Additional funding is provided by Ford Foundation.

For the past 35 years, the 92nd Street Y has hosted a regular discussion series called “Reel Pieces,” focused on giving New Yorkers an inside look at the biggest movies of our times. Since its inception, the 92NY’s signature film series, which has featured conversations with actors, directors, and early preview screenings of movies not yet released, has been hosted by Annette Insdorf, a world-renowned film historian, author and academic. Through her time moderating “Reel Pieces,” and her work as a film professor at Yale and Columbia, Annette has interacted with countless filmmakers, such as: Meryl Streep, Sidney Poitier, Greta Gerwig, and Martin Scorsese, just to name a few. She joins MetroFocus to share behind the scenes stories of these movie legends.

LISTENING IN: JON STEWART ON THE FUTURE OF COMEDY

As part of our ongoing “Listening In” series, we team up with the 92nd Street Y - one of New York City’s longest-running cultural institutions - to bring you some of the most important and thought-provoking discussions taking place in our city. Tonight, we listen in on Jon Stewart and Michael Schur, two of the most successful television comedians of our era, as they consider what the future of comedy looks like in our increasingly politically, and morally, divided country.

Santos and Fennell join host Jenna Flanagan to discuss how they’re getting people to re-imagine The Bronx through books.

As part of our Chasing the Dream initiative, reporting the stories of poverty and opportunity in America, Jenna learns about how re-thinking traditional business models can change the culture of companies and communities with the 'open hiring' model.

Bachor discusses his unique installation process, safety precautions and bumping up against the New York City Department of Transportation.

Lil Miss Hot Mess sheds light on the program and explains its mission of celebrating diversity, self-identity, and acceptance.

McMahon will also shed light on what once made New York State's economy great, and which region he believes is poised to make a comeback.

Professor Broccoli explains how rising global temperatures may actually be prolonging the colder than normal temperatures and illuminates the impact rising sea levels.