Profiles »
After 21 Years of Silence, a 9/11 First Responder Begins to Heal
The Burger King on the corner of Liberty and Church streets looked like it had been bombed. Emergency workers gathered, silent, sheltering from dust and smoke. Shattered windows offered little protection. A doctor ran
Read More »
From a Trailer Park to Manhattan, Brad Rickert Finds the Laughs
Standing in front of a microphone before a crowd of New Yorkers expecting to laugh is a daunting task, but for Brad Rickert, it’s his source of energy. New to the city, he’s bulking
Read More »
Nail Artist Muna Rahman Brings Her Clients’ Visions to Life
When 20-year-old Muna Rahman welcomes clients into her Bronx family home, she asks them how they found her. Many of her clients travel hours from Brooklyn and Queens. Occasionally, as far as New Jersey.
Read More »
A Wellness Influencer Reflects On Her Role In Society
The window is wide open. The clock strikes 5am. Gentle gusts of air fill up the room while meditation music softens the energy, providing ambience and a sense of lightness. Alexandra Dawson watches the
Read More »
A Young Filipino-American Finds Himself Through Art
The sound of skateboards whizzes past as Marco Chan sits near the massive fountain, which stands as the centerpiece of the park. There he fumbles with his newest digital film camera. His other friends
Read More »
José Ozuna Isn’t Just Going Through The Motions
His arms sway back and forth, coordinating to the quickness of his feet. Shimmying his shoulders while his muscles shake to the beat of Latin music, José Ozuna’s love of dance vibrates through every
Read More »
Whatever You Do, Don’t Sleep on Coma White
Leatherface of Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a queer icon, at least according to Josh Dominguez, a horror drag queen who also goes by the name of Coma White. When I talked with him over
Read More »
The (Exhausting, Dangerous, Addictive) Grind Of Independent Wrestling
“Pure, moldy rock. Asbestos. All of that good, moldy bullshit.” Almost 10 years later, Mike Taverna remembers what his first match smelled like. A long, narrow garage in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Concrete floors and
Read More »
An Immigrant’s Journey, Full of Sacrifice and Reward
Libertad Sanchez was watching her kids and cooking dinner. Tito, her husband, all suited up, arrived from work and expressed his desire to travel to the United States. She didn’t share it. Not in
Read More »
A Reality TV Child Star Looks Back and Says We Could All Learn from ‘Kid Nation’
At 6:30 am, Laurel McGoff is woken out of her slumber. Snuggled tight in her thermal sleeping bag, McGoff slowly gets up and then races to change into the same clothes she had worn
Read More »