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S. Mitra Kalita

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The Brian Lehrer ShowThe Brian Lehrer ShowThe NYC Communities That Powered Mamdani's WinS. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL Media and CEO and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, reflects on the diverse electorate that powered Zohran Mamdani's upset win, especially South Asian voters, and what his win indicates about what New Yorkers want and need from their politicians. 2025-06-2739 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just World[PRIDE - REWIND] Drag Story Hour Under Attack: What Can Media Do?REWIND EPISODE FROM THE LF&F ARCHIVES (Synopsis)- From sabotaged performances in rural North Carolina to besieged Drag Story Hour events in diverse urban neighborhoods, the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights is being fought on multiple fronts, with activists, artists, and journalists joining forces to resist a surge in anti-queer hostility and promote a culture of acceptance and inclusivity. Stay informed and engaged! Don't miss out on our captivating weekly episodes that dive deep into the heart of our economy, culture, and politics from the past to the present. Please hit the podcast subscribe b...2025-06-2625 minBiggerPockets Real Estate PodcastBiggerPockets Real Estate PodcastWhy Waiting for the “Perfect” Property is Costing You WealthYour idea of a “dream home” or “dream investment property” is stopping you from building wealth and taking steps toward financial freedom. Don’t believe us? Today’s guest proves it.  Mitra Kalita lives in her dream home today, but it’s only because she bought a house FAR from what was her dream back in 2002. With her family moving often, she was accustomed to packing up and making somewhere new her home throughout her childhood. So, when it was time to buy her first property, then later move, settle in, move again, and repeat, it was...2025-06-0431 minthe steph projectthe steph projecte16: s. mitra kalita | ceo url media, journalist; queens2025-02-031h 12Boston Public Radio PodcastBoston Public Radio PodcastBPR Full Show 11/11: Latino Trump VotersIt's one week post election, so we start the show by asking listeners -- regardless of who you voted for -- what are you most happy about and most worried about in 2025? S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL-Media and a former CNN executive, discussed what might become of "the media" in Donald Trump's second presidency.Congressman Seth Moulton addressed his recent comments on trans athletes.Boston Medical Center's Dr. Katherine Gergen Barnett discusses Donald Trump's healthcare proposals. Mike Madrid, author of Latino Century, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, discussed Trump's appeal to...2024-11-112h 31Making It HereMaking It HereThe NYC Dad Whose Tool Is Helping Thousands Get into High SchoolNavigating high school admissions in New York City can be a daunting task, with over 900 programs to choose from, each with its own set of assessments, open houses, and ranking requirements. When Adrian Liang faced this challenge for his own kids, he decided to build a tool to help make sense of it all. The result is NYC SIFT, a website that thousands of families are now using to navigate the admissions process. Today, Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita sits down with Adrian to learn more about how his frustration turned into a powerful tool for families acr...2024-10-2218 minLocal News MattersLocal News MattersFostering civic participation and community resilience through journalism with Baltimore Beat’s Lisa SnowdenLisa Snowden, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Baltimore Beat, shares her journey from being a reporter to running a Black-led newsroom dedicated to covering Baltimore’s diverse communities. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of sustaining a nonprofit news outlet, supported by a seven-figure donation that helped stabilize the Beat after its initial struggles as a for-profit venture. Lisa emphasizes the importance of intentional, community-centered journalism that aims to elevate underrepresented voices and provide a nuanced perspective on Baltimore’s complex social issues.   She also delves into the dynamics of diversity within newsrooms, the need to foste...2024-10-031h 06Twice as GoodTwice as GoodThese three sites are the key to unlocking US historyURL Media recently hosted a civil rights tour to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Legacy Museum. The Legacy Sites tell the story of slavery from the Middle passage to mass incarceration. Today Sara and Mitra are joined by Leonor Ayala, URL Media’s Chief of Recruitment to discuss the how the Legacy Museum has changed their lives and work. And how truth telling can unlock the solutions to solving injustice in America. 2024-09-2628 minMaking It HereMaking It HereBONUS: How Indian American Leaders Defined a Historic DNCWe’re fresh off the heels of the DNC in Chicago, where we captured a powerful conversation between URL Media CEO Mitra Kalita and two trailblazing Indian American politicians: Arvind Venkat, Pennsylvania Representative, and Shekhar Krishnan, New York City Council Member. As the first Indian Americans to hold their offices, Arvind and Shekhar bring their identities and fresh perspectives to elected office. Their conversation focuses on the power of public service and what’s really at stake in this year’s election of Harris- Walz versus Trump- Vance. This podcast is a collaboration between Epicenter NYC and URL Media. Se...2024-09-0726 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodHow Indian American Leaders Defined a Historic DNCWe’re fresh off the heels of the DNC in Chicago, where we captured a powerful conversation between URL Media CEO Mitra Kalita and two trailblazing Indian American politicians: Arvind Venkat, Pennsylvania Representative, and Shekhar Krishnan, New York City Council Member. As the first Indian Americans to hold their offices, Arvind and Shekhar bring their identities and fresh perspectives to elected office. Their conversation focuses on the power of public service and what’s really at stake in this year’s election of Harris- Walz versus Trump- Vance. This podcast is a collaboration between Epicenter NYC and URL Media. 2024-08-3026 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodHow Kamala Harris is energizing US voters and what's nextThe news that President Biden is stepping down in favor of VP Kamala Harris on the 2024 Democratic ticket has electrified some Black and South Asian communities in the US. Sara Lomax and Mitra Kalita discuss what’s at stake. What contradictions exist in the Democratic Party and within VP Harris’ legacy? And what lessons can the American left learn from the global fight against the far right? Joining the discussion are Epicenter NYC editorial director Femi Redwood and Scroll’s politics editor Shoaib Daniyal.2024-07-2627 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodThe Judicial Assault on Black PowerWhy is the Supreme Court rolling back the clock on our civil rights? In this episode of Twice as Good, Sara and Mitra are joined by two special guests, Madiba Dennie, author of the new book “The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution And How We The People Can Take It Back,” and Brandon Tensley, the national politics reporter at Capital B News. Together they discuss the great retrenchment: the assault on Black political power, as well as the states fighting back. They invoke the wisdom of Frederick Douglass and affirm the importance of staying in the fight for...2024-06-0324 minMaking It HereMaking It HereWhat’s really going on with NYC crimeDespite statistics suggesting that New York remains one of the safest large cities in the U.S., the lived experience for many of us tells a different story. So why is there such a disconnect between the numbers and our feelings of safety? In this episode S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder and publisher of Epicenter NYC, talks to reporter Felipe De La Hoz, about the current crime landscape. Read our full story: https://epicenter-nyc.com/whats-really-going-on-with-nyc-crime/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2024-05-2920 minMaking It HereMaking It HereInside the New York Indian Film Festival with Aseem ChhabraOnce again, Epicenter NYC is teaming up with the New York Indian Festival as its community media sponsor. The festival will take place from Friday, May 31st to Sunday, June 2nd at the Village East by Angelika.  The New York Indian Film Festival is the oldest film festival of its kind – screening premieres of films made from, of, and about India. The event includes more than just screenings – expect industry panels, post-screening discussions, award ceremonies, nightly networking parties, red carpet galas, and so much more. This year, Dear Jassi and Mrs are just a few of th...2024-05-2218 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodThe Battle for Free Speech at USC Amidst Valedictorian ControversyUniversity journalism students have been the primary documentarians of campus protests for Gaza, and the resulting crackdowns nationwide. In this episode of Twice as Good, Sara and Mitra sit with Zain Shafi Khan, journalist and leader from University of Southern California’s Annenberg Media. Sara and Mitra connect with Zain over his mission to capture this moment with integrity, and reflect on the stories that swept their campuses as young journalists.2024-05-1625 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodHaiti’s worst crisis yet and the centuries of colonial legacy that got us hereGarry Pierre-Pierre, founder of The Haitian Times, joins Sara and Mitra to discuss the ongoing violence in Haiti and the roots of today’s chaos. They discuss how gangs have taken over the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and the foreign power that bankrupted the country in its early days of independence. What can peace look like and what solutions are Haitian experts proposing?Learn more: https://url-media.com/twice-as-goodhaitis-worst-crisis-yet-and-the-centuries-of-colonial-legacy-that-got-us-here/2024-04-0419 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodRamadan, Gaza and what now. An interview with the founder of the always-viral Muslim.coHow are Muslims around the world experiencing the holy month of fasting amidst the war on Gaza? Sara and Mitra are joined by Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, the founder and editor in chief of Muslim.co. The brand is a thriving digital space - with an audience of six million on Instagram and 2.4 million on TikTok. Ameer shares his mission, the spirituality of the month and how this year, all eyes are on Palestine.https://url-media.com/twice-as-good-ramadan-gaza-and-what-now-an-interview-with-the-always-viral-muslim-cos-founder/2024-03-1531 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodBob Marley and Black Liberation - is One Love Still Relevant Today?In episode three of the Twice as Good podcast, Sara and Mitra dive into the legacy of Bob Marley and the recently released film One Love. They're joined by special guest Lloyd Cummings. Lloyd is a DJ and WURD Radio host who interviewed Bob Marley in the 1970s, and has deep insight into the life and legacy of one of the greatest musicians of all time. Our show notes include bonus photos of Lloyd interviewing Bob Marley: https://url-media.com/twice-as-good-a-podcast-onbob-marley-black-liberation-and-the-film-one-love/2024-02-2920 minMaking It HereMaking It HereBehind the Scenes of 'Public Obscenities' with Shayok Misha Chowdhury“Public Obscenities” explores the pleasures and pitfalls of living in translation as it follows a queer studies PhD student returning to his family home in India with his Black American boyfriend. The bilingual play boldly navigates the complexities of identity, belonging, and expression. In this episode Playwright Shayok Misha Chowdhury talks to Epicenter Founder and Publisher S. Mitra Kalita to explore the layers of thought and emotion that shape "Public Obscenities”, and why this three hour performance is one you won’t want to miss. You might not understand the words in “Public Obscenities” but you’ll feel...2024-02-2118 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodEssential Black History Reads and The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBoisSara and Mitra reflect on love as an action, and how they've integrated love for community into their media companies. They also discuss literary love - The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois written by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. The 800 page masterpiece is a family saga that begins in the American South when it is indigenous land and stretches to contemporary times. Sara and Mitra reflect on the authors that shaped them, including the great 20th century scholar, W.E.B. DuBois.2024-02-1519 minTwice as GoodTwice as GoodA Conversation on 'Origin', Caste Systems, and Racial DynamicsSara and Mitra discuss Origin, the breathtaking new film directed by Ava Duvernay that released on January 19. The film tells the story of Isabel Wilkerson and her book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The film connects the caste system in India with the racial hierarchies in the United States and Nazi Germany. Sara and Mitra dive into the complexities of race and politics, from their perspectives as Black American and Indian American journalists and storytellers.2024-02-0120 minKQED\'s ForumKQED's ForumWhat’s Killing – and What Could Revive – Journalism in AmericaJournalism in America was a highly profitable business for more than a century until the internet – and other factors – disrupted the traditional business model resulting in decades of declining advertising and subscription revenue. Last week, the Los Angeles Times cut about 20 percent of its staff, adding to a growing list of news organizations making cuts in the past few months: The Washington Post, Business Insider, Sports Illustrated and NBC News. Meanwhile, hedge funds and private equity firms buying up newspapers has also changed the industry – a trend Bay Area filmmaker Rick Goldsmith examines in his new documentary, “Stripped for Parts: A...2024-01-3055 minTrue Thirty with Joey DumontTrue Thirty with Joey DumontCelebrating Black and Brown Media Companies with Mitra KalitaMitra Kalita is a storied journalist and media executive, author of two books, and a former Senior Vice President for News, Opinion and Programming at CNN Digital, where she oversaw a team of 200 employees. Mitra has also taught her craft at Columbia, UMass Amherst, CUNY Graduate School, and St. John’s. And in November of 2020 she was asked to join the board of The Philadelphia Inquirer.During our chat, we talked about her tenure as a journalist and media executive, why she started a company called Epicenter NYC during Covid, how and why she co-founded her company UR...2024-01-181h 00Your New Life BlendYour New Life BlendS. Mitra Kalita, Journalist & FounderS. Mitra Kalita is the CEO & Founder of URL Media, a network of high-performing Black and Brown news media organizations that serve, support and center communities of color, and she has plans for 2024. Fresh off a $500 thousand grant from the MacArthur Foundation, Mitra has a mandate to expand URL Media's essential editorial work and reach — because 2024 is an election year, and Black and Brown communities need news and information they can trust. This has been Mitra's mission since founding URL Media during the pandemic, along with community newsletter EpicenterNYC:  to bring crucial information to her community in a way tha...2024-01-0333 minMaking It HereMaking It HereURL Media Celebrates Three Years of Hard WorkFor years, Epicenter-NYC has been a proud member of URL Media - a decentralized, multi-platform network that includes high-performing Black and Brown news media organizations. And this month, URL is celebrating three years of hard work. In this episode we’ll share an excerpt from the Local News Matters podcast where URL co-founders, Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, discuss the network's mission to support and empower independent media serving Black and Brown communities with host Tim Regan-Porter. Listen to the full conversation: https://localnewsmatterspodcast.com/ URL Media: https://url-media.com/ See omnystudio.com...2024-01-0322 minLocal News MattersLocal News MattersCollaborative paths to sustainability for ethnic media with URL Media’s Sara Lomax and S. Mitra KalitaIn this candid discussion, Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita, co-founders of URL Media, delve into the network's mission to support and empower independent media serving Black and Brown communities. Now in its fourth year, URL Media aims to address the gaps and challenges faced by these media entrepreneurs, focusing on enhancing reach, expanding revenue and building long-term sustainability for BIPOC outlets. We delve into the unique relationship that ethnic media have with their audiences. The trust inherent in that relationship is a cornerstone in providing nuanced and community-centric journalism. URL Media was founded in the wake...2023-11-2844 minMaking It HereMaking It HereStrategies for Facing Hate Head-On with Kalaya’an MendozaOver the past few weeks we’ve seen a spike in reports of harassment and hate crimes across New York City. We’re hearing stories of assault from our friends and our family – from Jews, Muslims, turbaned men and East Asians. So, at a time when many of our neighbors fear for their safety in public places, what are the best ways to stay safe? Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita talks to Kalaya’an Mendoza to answer those questions. Kalaya’an is the director of mutual protection for Nonviolent Peaceforce, a global civil society organization. Kalaya’an also hosts byst...2023-11-1520 minMaking It HereMaking It HereUncovering the Legacy of America's First Black Generals with Doug MelvilleIn author and corporate diversity expert Doug Melville’s latest book, "Invisible Generals," he shares the story of his great-uncle and great-great-uncle – America’s first Black generals, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. and Jr.. The two men created the Tuskegee Airmen and were instrumental in integrating the American military. But despite their contributions, they haven’t gotten the credit they deserve. In this episode, Epicenter’s S. Mitra Kalita sits down with Meville to discuss his experience putting together the  mosaic of his family’s history and the leadership lessons learned along the way. Leadership lessons from the firs...2023-11-0818 minMaking It HereMaking It HereAlex Toussaint on Peloton, Haiti, and Activating Greatness“Feel Good, Look Good, Do Better”. That’s Alex Toussaint’s mantra. Alex is a Senior Instructor at Peloton, a PUMA partner, a founder, and most recently, an author. His new book, “Activate Your Greatness” is set to be released on October 10th. It’s part self-help/part memoir and explores his journey to becoming one of the most iconic cycling instructors. In this episode Epicenter’s Co-Founder and Publisher, S. Mitra Kalita talks with Alex about Peloton, his family and Haitian roots, and what’s next. Pre-order "Activate Your Greatness": https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250852038/ Tickets for the "Ac...2023-10-0417 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldBefore the Ground Runs Dry: BIPOC Media on the US Water CrisisThis show is made possible by you!  To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donateFrom the sinking lands of California's Central Valley to the depleting aquifers nationwide, we're at a critical point: Americans are running out of water. In this episode of Meet the BIPOC Press, a monthly collaboration between The Laura Flanders Show and URL Media, we take a closer look at the US water crisis that is affecting many Americans, and putting communities of color especially at risk. How are over-extraction and climate change impacting our water supply? BIPOC media outlets are b...2023-09-2529 minMaking It HereMaking It HereMeet Erica Loewe: The Woman Behind President Biden's Focus on Community MediaErica Loewe has been the Director of African American Media at the White House since May of 2021. In her role she’s been a beacon of change and a vital voice. Now, she's transitioning into a new senior position in the Office of Public Engagement. Today, Erica joins Epicenter Publisher S. Mitra Kalita in a discussion on why community media has become a focal point in the Biden administration, and how this shift is facilitating a richer, more nuanced, and grounded conversation. Follow Erica Loewe: https://twitter.com/EricaLoewe46 Epicenter-NYC membership: https://checkout.fundjournalism.org...2023-09-1315 minMaking It HereMaking It HereTara Bhuyan Brings Sustainable, Elegant Assam Silk to NYFWThis month, Tara Bhuyan's work is front and center at New York Fashion week. Originally from Assam, a state in northeastern India, Tara’s designs embrace her home’s traditional weavers and sustainable production.  In this episode Epicenter’s Founder and Publisher S. Mitra Kalita talks to Tara about her pivot to fashion following a long career in investment banking. They’ll also discuss the inspiration behind “Tara Bhuyan Couture” and how her collection captures the essence of the Assamese tapestry. Glossary: Assam: A state in northeastern India. Bihu: A set of important...2023-09-0620 minWhere It All StartsWhere It All StartsLive, Laugh, Local NewsOver the past year, newsrooms across the country have experienced significant staff cuts, even leading to the shuttering of BuzzFeed News and bankruptcy of VICE Media. We’re joined by S. Mitra Kalita, veteran journalist and co-founder of URL media, to learn more about why these layoffs are happening and its impact on local journalism.Show notes:URL Media - https://url-media.com/TIME: Looking Back on Three Years of Performative Diversity Efforts - https://time.com/charter/6290473/undoing-workplace-diversity-gains/What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend, What A Morning, is available in med...2023-07-0515 minWhat A DayWhat A DayLive, Laugh, Local NewsOver the past year, newsrooms across the country have experienced significant staff cuts, even leading to the shuttering of BuzzFeed News and bankruptcy of VICE Media. We’re joined by S. Mitra Kalita, veteran journalist and co-founder of URL media, to learn more about why these layoffs are happening and its impact on local journalism.Show notes:URL Media - https://url-media.com/TIME: Looking Back on Three Years of Performative Diversity Efforts - https://time.com/charter/6290473/undoing-workplace-diversity-gains/What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastCrooked Coffee is officially here. Our first blend...2023-07-0514 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldWhat are Drag Story Hours, and what are they up against?This show is made possible by you!  To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate  Thank you for your continued support!In this episode of the Laura Flanders Show, we explore both the struggles and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month 2023 by diving into the right-wing extremist backlash permeating the inclusive, family-friendly activity known as Drag Story Hour. We explore what LGBTQ activists are doing about it, and what the media is getting wrong (and right) in its portrayal of this conflict. Through the context of the historical brutality at New Yor...2023-06-2630 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldMuslim Americans in the Media: From Islamophobia to PowerThis show is made possible by you!  To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate  Thank you for your continued support!What does it mean to be a Muslim American in a society plagued by dangerous stereotypes and misconceptions? Hiba Ansari and Daria Mogahed share their insights on the challenges faced by this diverse community, highlighting the importance of good reporting, recognizing their contributions to America's history, and drawing parallels with the experiences of the Black community.Listen in as Laura Flanders along with Dalia Mogahed, Director of Research, Institute for Social Policy an...2023-04-3030 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldFull Conversation- Exploring the Rise of BiPOC Media Outlets, Federal Impact on Communities, and Collaboration for ReportingMonthly sustaining supporters receive early access to listen and download the full uncut conversation from our weekly episode release.  Flex your media muscles by signing up at LauraFlanders.org/donateIn this podcast episode, I discuss how Black and Brown-owned media outlets are growing with Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL and publisher of Epicenter NYC, Alexandra Martinez, senior news reporter at Prism, and Malak Silmi of Outlier Media. We also explore the federal impact on local communities and how access to the morning-after pill, the pandemic, and small business have been affected. Additionally, we discuss the rise o...2023-02-1642 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldBIPOC Media: Building Local Power Through ReportingWhat are the stories that will be driving news coverage in the coming year for communities of color and our network partners in the media that serve them? In this 2023 preview for our monthly Meet the BIPOC Press roundtable with URL Media, we consider issues involving the economy, community investment, reproductive justice, local government, environmental justice, LGBTQ+ rights, the aftermath of COVID, and more. How will our partners be reporting the stories — and angles — that matter most? Laura is joined by Mitra Kalita, the publisher of Epicenter-NYC, a newsletter based in Queens, New York, and the co-founder of URL Medi...2023-01-2929 minWait…You can do that?!Wait…You can do that?!Mini-Sode: Like a Glove or A Kaftan Pt 1How to discover, assess, and determine whether the company is right for you before applying and/or accepting the job.  When I initially recorded this mini-sode it ended up the same length as the interview episodes, so let’s break it down into two parts. This first part is an exploration to help you determine what you want out of your workplace. The second part will be about how to determine that your needs list will be matched before you accept a job. Please don't forget to send in your suggestions and comments via our Patreon Account! Links! Core Values Exe...2023-01-2223 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldFull Uncut Conversation- Abbott Elementary Teaches Us All: Sheryl Lee Ralph & Joyce AbbottEnjoy the full uncut conversation from our episode 'Meet the BIPOC Press Roundtable:  Abbott Elementary Teaches Us All' featuring co-hosts from URL Media S. Mitra Kalita & Sara Lomax-Reese; and guests Joyce M. Abbott, Educator & Climate Manager Philadelphia School District ducator & Abbott Elementary Namesake; Sheryl Lee Ralph, Leading Actor for ABC Comedy Series ‘Abbott Elementary’ & ActivistDescription:  Can you remember the last time when the challenges that inner city public school teachers face were the subject of a popular TV series? Abbott Elementary — which has just been renewed for a second season on ABC — does just that. The Philadelph...2022-12-2536 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldBIPOC Media Covered the Elections Differently(full episode notes are at https://Patreon.com/theLFShow)  When it came to the midterms, mainstream white pundits got a lot wrong that local, Black, Brown and BIPOC media got right, and they're still missing many important stories. That's the message from this roundtable of journalists we call Meet the BIPOC Press, a monthly feature of the Laura Flanders Show.  What do the money media’s hits and misses tell us about what journalists need to be doing better — or differently — in the weeks and months ahead? For this conversation, Laura is joined by S. Mitra Kalita, the publisher of Epice...2022-11-2730 minTuckered Out with Ami ThakkarTuckered Out with Ami ThakkarS. Mitra Kalita Is At The Epicenter Of It AllS. Mitra Kalita is a veteran journalist, media executive, prolific commentator and author of two books. She is the co-founder/ CEO of URL Media, a network of Black and Brown community news outlets that share content and revenue. Mitra is also the co-founder and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, a newsletter to help New Yorkers get through the pandemic, and an inaugural member of the URL Media network.We discuss the impetus for launching URL Media, how Jackson Heights (her hometown) became ground zero during the pandemic,  what she realized about national news outlets, and how first se...2022-10-2042 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldF-Word: Queen Quashes Campaign News? Lack of Coverage is Routine for Social Movements"How do you spark alarm, inform the public, prod people to act, if the media aren’t covering the news, political fundraisers griped to the press this week....It’s a problem social movements in the US have faced for decades, of course, and met none of the same sympathy from the press."For independent reporting on grassroots change makers around the world and right here in the US, every week, catch the Laura Flanders Show on a public television station near you, or subscribe to the free podcast. This week, Sara Lomax Reese and S Mitra Kali...2022-09-2703 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldBIPOC Media: Amplifying Black and Indigenous CollaborationsHow do Black and Indigenous communities intersect? This special feature for Indigenous People’s day explores the forces that have both facilitated and thwarted collaboration and movement-making among Black and Indigenous people in the United States. Exploitation of Black and Indigenous people was integral to the founding of this country, but the nature of that exploitation wasn’t exactly the same. Mitra Kalita and Sara Lomax Reese of URL Media return for this month’s “Meet the BIPOC Press”. Their guests are Levi Rickert, a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, founder and publisher, Native News Online and Dr. Kyle T...2022-09-2530 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldFull Uncut Conversation- Ibram X. Kendi: How to Make America Antiracist?(This full conversation is from the episode 'Ibram X. Kendi: How to Make America Antiracist?')The fight over what can and can’t be taught in schools is shaping up to be one of the most controversial issues in a pivotal mid-term election year. White voters are being mobilized to ban books, censor honest discussions of US history and current day racism, and organize against a fake spectre of “critical race theory” being taught in schools. So what is to be done? In this episode, Laura and co-hosts Sara Lomax-Reese and Mitra Kalita interview Dr. Ibram X. Ken...2022-09-0131 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldURL - 50 Years After Roe, Is Reporting on Abortion Still Too White?Forty percent of those who get abortion services in the U.S. are African Americans. Would you know it from the media coverage of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe vs Wade? S. Mitra Kalita and Sara Lomax-Reese of URL Media join Laura for this month’s “Meet the BIPOC Press” to consider what has changed in the coverage — and the organizing — around reproductive justice in the years since Roe. Are abortion seekers of color still a sidebar in reporting or has journalism finally reached a tipping point on inclusion? What difference are BIPOC-owned-and-operated media making in this moment, to o...2022-08-0130 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldMilitarization and Uvalde: the Context Media Coverage OmitsWhether it’s Buffalo, NY, Uvalde, TX or Philadelphia, PA — we are witnessing an unprecedented wave of terror at the muzzle of a gun. But all mass shootings are not covered in the same way. What determines the nature of the coverage? And what is the media getting wrong — or right — on gun violence reporting? In this episode, Laura Flanders welcomes back Mitra Kalita and Sara Lomax-Reese of URL Media, a network of independently owned and operated Black and Brown media outlets, for this month’s “Meet the BIPOC Press.” Our returning guest Michelle García is a Texas-based journalist whos...2022-06-2730 minOur Body PoliticOur Body PoliticFinding Joy in Stories, Service, and the Great OutdoorsThis week, we are revisiting some of OBP’s most joyous interviews starting with Farai’s conversation with two publishers of color, Elizabeth Méndez Berry, vice president and executive editor at One World, an imprint at Penguin Random House, and Lisa Lucas, senior vice president and publisher at Pantheon and Schocken Books on celebrating the work of BIPOC authors and critics. Then public health professionals and sisters Nilufar Kayhani and Nazineen Kandahari share the inspiration and beauty behind starting the Afghan Clinic, an online space that serves the health needs of fellow Afghans. Farai then speaks with Rue Mapp, found...2022-06-0350 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldAbbott Elementary Teaches Us All: Sheryl Lee Ralph & Joyce AbbottCan you remember the last time when the challenges that inner city public school teachers face were the subject of a popular TV series? Abbott Elementary — which has just been renewed for a second season on ABC — does just that. The Philadelphia school on TV is fictional, but the challenges it faces are all too real. Closely based on the school that series creator (and star) Quinta Brunson attended, and especially her experiences with Ms. Abbott, her 6th grade teacher, the show combines art, education and activism. On this month’s Meet The BIPOC Press with URL Media, real-life educat...2022-05-3030 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldDr. Ibram X. Kendi: How to Make America Antiracist?Complete episode notes, research and reading list and related episodes are at PatreonThe fight over what can and can’t be taught in schools is shaping up to be one of the most controversial issues in a pivotal mid-term election year. White voters are being mobilized to ban books, censor honest discussions of US history and current day racism, and organize against a fake spectre of “critical race theory” being taught in schools. So what is to be done? In this episode, Laura and co-hosts Sara Lomax-Reese and Mitra Kalita interview Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, one of the...2022-04-2629 minGlobal Connections with Robert Siegel - Navigating The New NormalGlobal Connections with Robert Siegel - Navigating The New NormalJournalism After the Pandemic: Interviews with Prof. Steve Coll, S. Mitra Kalita, David Folkenflik, & Brian StelterAmerican Friends of Rabin Medical Center presents its monthly leaders forum, Global Connections with Robert Siegel:  Navigating the New Normal, on society, the economy, real estate, medicine, technology and science.    Moderator Robert Siegel (host of NPR's All Things Considered from 1987-2018) interviews:   Prof. Steve Coll (Dean, Columbia Journalism School; Columnist, The New Yorker, Two-time Pulitzer Prize Recipient)   S. Mitra Kalita (Co-Founder/CEO, URL Media; Harvard University Visiting Fellow)   David Folkenflik (Media Correspondent, NPR)   Brian Stelter (Chief Media Correspondent & Anchor, Reliable Sources, CNN)     Global Connections is presented by American F...2022-04-251h 04News TakeNews TakeNews Take Episode 104: News Take: Encouraging and Sustaining Diversity in News MediaGuest: Mitra Kalita, co-founder and CEO, URL Media What comes first, diversity of content or diversity in staff? How has hiring changed with the focus on diversity, and how do news publishers hire and retain diverse talent? How do we institute organization-level changes in how we think about diversity, equity and inclusion, both in our coverage and our staff? What must newsroom leaders do to ensure diversity efforts are a success? How can a small, community-focused media startup achieve scale and sustainability without sacrificing their identity? What are the benefits of a for-profit model for...2022-04-1253 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldVoting Rights: BIPOC Media Sound the AlarmEven as the nation celebrated the birthday and legacy of voting rights advocate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the right to vote for which King fought so hard remains a matter of hot dispute. States across the country are introducing laws restricting the right to vote for certain Americans, and as recently as this month, a majority of US Senators opposed changing the filibuster rules to pass a voting rights law named for King’s ally John Lewis. In this episode of the monthly series we call “Meet the BIPOC Press” co-hosts Mitra Kalita and Sara Lomax-Reese, with Solomon Jones...2022-01-2828 minIn The ThickIn The ThickITT Sound Off: Too Little, Too LateMaria and Julio talk about the latest on federal voting rights legislation, a devastating fire in the Bronx, and give an update on grassroots organizing in New York City. They also reflect on the growing number of non-white NPR hosts who have recently left the network.  ITT Staff Picks: - President Biden gave a strong speech on voting rights and filibuster reform, but it’s unlikely to make meaningful legislative change, reports Li Zhou for Vox.  - This post from Epicenter NYC, a community journalism initiative founded by S. Mitra Kalita, lists ways to help out those affected by the...2022-01-1518 minTrill MBA Show - The Career Management Podcast for Black WomenTrill MBA Show - The Career Management Podcast for Black WomenWork Protocols: Sh*t You Need To Know For The Workplace Pt. 5 S5: Ep 34 Work Protocols: Sh*t You Need To Know For The Workplace Pt. 5 In this episode, we focus on recognizing and owning your power with 3 things you need to execute regularly at work. I know it feels like we are powerless in the construct of the workplace, but we are not. They want us to believe that we have no options and no choices because they hold the purse strings….I call BS. I also say all the unpopular things in this episode. Ask me if I care? Me...2021-12-1227 minOur Body PoliticOur Body PoliticWhy Voters Lose When Democrats Fight Each Other, Back to Basics with Covid-19 Prevention, and a Call to Action for Women of ColorHost Farai Chideya talks with former Ohio state Senator Nina Turner about the pros and cons of being a progressive within the Democratic Party. Doctors Uché and Oni Blackstock share their family’s history with healthcare, and what we know and don’t know about the new Covid-19 variant. Dana Coester of 100 Days in Appalachia explains why she was not surprised by the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict after years studying rising, armed extremism among white youth. On Sippin’ the Political Tea, Farai and two fellow journalists and media trailblazers—S. Mitra Kalita of URL Media and Jenni Monet of Indigenously—examine wha...2021-12-0350 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldHow Critical Race Theory Changed an Election & What Dems Could Do About ItWill you help us meet our goal to raise $5,000 that will be matched, but only if we meet our goal?  Donate at https://LauraFlanders.org/donate  We do not accept advertisements or government funding.  We are media for the people!From the contest for governor of Virginia to school board races across the country, opposition to Critical Race Theory proved an effective tactic for Republican candidates to defeat Democrats in this November’s election. Does that justify the conclusions drawn by many in the media that Democrats need to stop talking so much about racism, history, and struc...2021-11-2632 minLaura Flanders and Friends:  Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldLaura Flanders and Friends: Positive Independent Journalism for a Just WorldClimate Change Journalism: Moving Frontline Communities from the Sideline to the CenterSupport the show by becoming a member as a monthly supporter at Patreon.com/theLFShow  We do not accept corporate or government funding.  We rely on you!  Full Episode Notes are posted at Patreon.com/theLFShow for members and non-members.Could a city reduce violent crime by planting more trees? How will the culture of work adapt to the climate crisis? What will increased flooding in the Global South do to U.S. immigration patterns? In this month’s edition of Meet the BIPOC Press, guest hosts Sara Lomax Reese and Mitra Kalita from URL Media are back...2021-11-1229 minIn The ThickIn The ThickA Climate of Racial EquityJulio and guest co-host Jenni Monet, independent investigative journalist and founder of the newsletter Indigenously, are joined by S. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL Media and CEO and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, and Justin Worland, senior correspondent for Time Magazine covering climate change and policy. They reflect on the 2021 election results and unpack the latest with infrastructure spending and Biden’s Build Back Better plan. They also talk about the COP26 climate summit, and the latest on vaccine outreach. Staff Picks: - On the language around climate change, Mary Annaïse Heglar writes “as we look for new words and sloga...2021-11-1035 minBrown Table TalkBrown Table TalkHow to Be Visible at Work On this episode of Brown Table Talk, hosts Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick discuss how to be visible at work and find your voice, and give their top 5 tips on how to do so. https://www.charterworks.com/woman-of-color-workplace-culture/ (A Woman of Color Cannot Save Your Workplace by S. Mitra Kalita) 2021-11-0118 minThe Pivot Fund PodThe Pivot Fund PodHow to turn newsletters into a media empire with S. Mitra KalitaS. Mitra Kalita, the publisher of Epicenter-NYC, talks about leaving behind a high-profile job at CNN and a guaranteed paycheck to launch her own brand.Kalita joined The Pivot Fund on Oct. 27, 2021, to discuss how she’s part of the movement to reimagine community-centered journalism and how Epicenter-NYC grew newsletters into an empire. This conversation is co-moderated by The Pivot Fund's chief executive officer Tracie Powell and Liz Alarcón, the founder and executive director of Pulso, a nonprofit media start-up that shares news, history, and culture stories by and for...2021-10-271h 05The ChangeupThe ChangeupS. Mitra Kalita, Co-founder of URL MediaToday we sit down with S. Mitra Kalita and she shares her thoughts on how the pandemic shaped lives,  the importance of diversifying media content, and the subtle but important differences between local and community media2021-10-2650 min