United we Eat was launched to curate culinary experiences featuring cuisine from the diverse array of cultures that define our communities.
Food has the ability to unify and tell a story about a person’s history, culture, experiences, and heritage.
Since the age of 6, Maria Bido acquired a taste for cooking traditional Puerto Rican dishes from her Grandmother. By watching and helping her Grandmother prepare dinners for the family Maria received a non-traditional hands-on Culinary learning experience.
Isidra exemplifies the core values, beliefs, & mission of bKind. At the age of 8 she learned to prepare her grandmother’s traditional recipes with her mom. Decades later, she & her children share her country’s art, music, & culinary delights with others emanating joy, love & appreciation for cultural diversity & unity.
Flavor, Culture and Love is what I give and receive when I get cooking with others!
Food is a basic need but it also represents so much more. It represents culture, family, love and passion. Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, this is certainly how I think of food. The time I spent cooking with my grandmother showed me the power of food. In this modern world, it’s easy to distance ourselves from the traditions that nurture family ties. Ties that connect us to where we come from, to our culture, and to creating life long bonds within our community.
Today, the loss of this connection and our traditions are clearly felt as younger generations grow further away from the rich culture of their ancestors. Traditions and values are not being passed down through generations. Food is how I honor the legacy of my grandmother and embrace my culture. Through food we can help keep our cultures alive across generations. This is why I created Mia’s Cocina, to preserve Puerto Rican culture and ensure its continued growth.
I now set out to fulfill this mission to provide experiences around food that can create, strengthen, and rebuild bonds across generations. In the words of mi abuela Jobita, when you share the food, the food tastes better.
Trauma to Triumphs, Inc. (bKind) honored Vincent E. Green for his unparalleled service, leadership, wisdom, & integrity that continue to shape our communities, youth, & our world.
Ray Russell: friend & colleague for over 40 years introduced & commended Vinny as a leader who has:
· Achieved position of Deputy Commissioner & received awards from 4 NYC Mayors
· Served as lead investigator at ground zero on September 11th
· Spearheaded bKind’s Voices of Youth children’s publishing project and safety trainings
Lisa Mehos, Executive Director of bKind, spoke briefly about the 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Trauma to Triumphs Inc. (DBA: bKind) has implemented sustainable programs including:
· Food Rescue (thousands of meals each month)
· Academic support: laptops, tutors/mentors, & school supplies)
· Yoga, Positive Thinking, & Safety Training
· bKind bOne spearheaded by Doris Ling-Cohan & Lisa Mehos
Special thanks from the bKind team for those who make this work possible!
Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, lifelong role model; spearheaded Be Kind Be One to promote solidarity & safety
Assembly Member Harvey Epstein
Alejandro Epifanio with The Loisaida Center
Emily Rios with Asian Americans for Equality
Together we honor and celebrate Vincent E. Green and his scholarly publication DOES RACE NEGATE, replete with powerful stories that “inspire dark-skinned youth to embrace their darkness no matter what anyone else says,” while “giving thanks” for all that unites us. Does Race Negate exhorts readers to uphold integrity, goodness, truth, and love that bind us together as human beings. Through firsthand experience and impeccable research, author and retired Deputy Commissioner Vincent Green describes the “mesmerizing roar” of the Million Man March in ’95 with its “melding of minds and spirits;” and his “God-inspired sharing on the dark-skinned earthly being and those…who played a role in shaping Her or His-Story.”
Thank you, Christine!!
Beautiful souls!
Celebrate AAPI Heritage with the Amazing Sokie Lee!
FREE wellness sessions, refreshments, & gifts for all participants provided by the AAFE & bKind CommUnity Resource Center.
ABOUT SOKIE'S CLASSES
Everything we do and feel relates to our well-being and directly impacts our physical and emotional health.
ABOUT SOKIE LEE
Sokie Lee is a longtime New Yorker. Born in Hong Kong, she was raised with a Chinese holistic approach to living. She is a New York State licensed massage therapist and also a certified instructor of T’ai Chi. A student of martial arts for many years, Sokie teaches Qigong and better balance classes at the Hospital for Special Surgery, Beth Israel Hospital and senior adult centers in New York City. A seasoned and empathetic massage therapist, Sokie provides specific care to help you to relax, reduce stress or recover from injuries. A patient teacher, Sokie can help you optimize your health with powerful qigong exercises to nourish the body and mind.
EXPERIENCE HARMONY, HEALTH, & JOY THRU MOVEMENT:
Message from Kristine Reeves:
Hello there bKind team,
I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to for allowing us to partner with you on this amazing initiative as we celebrate mental awareness month creating canvass for kits and gratitude journals.
Thank you Sokie Lee for the transformational power of JOY thru movement!
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS BELOW
A New York Police Officer Changed His Life And Began A New Career In The Music World. This Choice Led To The Successful Career Of Johnny Marines December 9, 2020
There are many types of training that lead well into another career. However, few would expect a police officer to become a music manager for a Bachata group. This is exactly what Johnny Marines did when he ended his career as a police officer to get into the music industry.
“I grew in the Jacob Riis Projects in the Lower East Side in Lower Manhattan, NYC. I became a New York City Police Officer under Mayor Guliani’s administration. In 2002, while in the middle of my Police career I went into the Music business as a Manager for a Bachata group at the time called Aventura. In 2010, I continued to manage the lead singer of the group known as, the King of Bachata Romeo Santos. This makes me unique because I am the only former/current NYP officer to achieve this level of success in the music business,” Johnny recounts.
From this experience, Johnny’s career took off. He is now the owner of multiple different endeavors including a restaurant and a nightlife business as well as real estate. He has always wanted to be in the businessworld, so this was the perfect opportunity for him to begin his venture into the entrepreneurial world.
“I’ve always wanted to be an Entrepreneur. My father owned a Social Club and his hard work and success motivated me to follow in his footsteps. However, I did not want to stop there. I wanted to continue to take on new projects and develop new skills that could further enhance my success. Fortunately, my businesses also enabled me to provide new jobs for the community,” Johnny remarks.
Johnny has found himself overcoming many obstacles this year with the onset of the pandemic as many restaurant owners, nightlife entrepreneurs, real estate businesspeople are as well. However, he is resilient and has overcome many of these challenges by finding ways to innovate.
“The biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome as a restaurant/nightlife owner is having to deal with the covid-19 government restrictions and guidelines that have made it virtually impossible to be a profitable business. Luckily for me, my business partner Eddy G and I are our own landlords and have been able to stay afloat during these challenging times,” Johnny explains.
Despite all the bad cards that 2020 has dealt, Johnny and his partner have pushed ahead and are planning big things for 2021. He is planning on opening up his next Latin themed in New Jersey.
“This year, my partner Eddy G and I, are slated to open a chic latin themed restaurant and lounge located in the heart of midtown Elizabeth, New Jersey. In real estate, my partner Cesar Pina and I, are in the process of developing an 80 apartment residential apartment complex. We are also rehabilitating a former cathtolic school that will be used for a child development program in Paterson, New Jersey by the board of education,” Johnny says.
For those wishing to start their own adventure into the business world, no matter what they had been doing before, Johnny has a few pieces of advice for them.
“My advice for those trying to start their own business is to be prepared to work twice as hard. There is a misconception for aspiring business owners that owning your own business means you would work less. Truthfully, individuals who want to start their own business should expect to take full responsibility and work twice as hard. Mindset is important when starting your own business as it serves as a blueprint for the vision you have for your business. It can either make or break your business and this is where surrounding yourself with the right team is very important. It is crucial to have the right mindset and remain focused in order to be prepared for the challenges to come when you’re a business owner,” Johnny advises.
Thank you for this celebration of music, culture, solidarity, and healing!