Ownership, mission and community have never mattered more.
That’s my takeaway this morning in New York City. Unlike in 2016, when I worked in a large mainstream news organization that was caught off guard, this time around, I am grateful for Epicenter NYC’s clarity in who we serve and who guides our path forward: You.
Over and over, we’ve cautioned against the “swing state” narrative imposed by national media that makes voters in allegedly solidly blue states like ours feel taken for granted. We warned about the rise of MAGA in New York. We’ve dived into the nuances among Latino voters on issues such as crime and immigration. And we’ve been sounding the alarm about the high costs of food, housing and childcare for our entire existence. We are trusted, on the ground and offer news and information in whatever forms most useful to our communities: flyers, printouts, Spanish, Bangla, tabling, artwork, QR codes. That allows us to break through our ever-fragmented media consumption.
We were going to launch our first donation drive next week. I woke up today in the same America but with a new realization about the urgency of our work. The presidential election results and NYC’s voting patterns leave us with many lessons to apply for better coverage of the upcoming mayoral and other races. If you feel despair over the state of our city and country, if you feel like you don’t know your neighbors anymore, join us in building better.
As a reader, you already know that Epicenter NYC is about more than news—it’s about connecting our community to information and each other.
Our journalism strives to provide actionable insight into New York City from the ground up: small business, arts and culture, schools and youth programs, and the health services we all need to thrive. We cover government squarely through the lens of civics, meaning what you need to know and, more importantly, do to navigate NYC politics.
Your contribution in any amount strengthens our community. We’ve set an ambitious goal to meet before the end of 2024. Your tax-deductible donation helps us serve more New Yorkers. Please give today to keep our voices strong, healthy, culturally vibrant and, most importantly, independent. As we’ve seen in media coverage over the last few weeks, ownership and mission matter. We hold sacred the trust of our neighbors and we are grateful for your support to maintain and strengthen it.
Thank you for supporting Epicenter! Please stay safe out there and join us in fighting for a better future–and a better now–for all New Yorkers.
Sincerely,
S. Mitra Kalita
Publisher, Epicenter NYC
P.S. Never have I been more grateful that Epicenter weaves arts and culture into all we do. Please join us for a reception TONIGHT in Long Island City featuring artists and storytellers in a show about the climate and fragility of our city, aptly dubbed “Heat of the Moment.” RSVP here; beauty, healing vibes and wine aplenty.
