the
innovator
volume 2, issue i
SUMMER 2021
Contents.
letter from the editor
1
mission statement
2
synthesis: skill set activism
3
solutions to air pollution
5
student spotlight
9
hancraftd
11
the new normal
12
@inthebronx
13
@heroichira
19
meet the team
25
join us
26
From the editor
W
elcome to the second issue of The Innovator! This Fordham University publication is dedicated to sharing meaningful stories, addressing different socio-political issues, uplifting unheard voices, and targeting solutions-based journalism. Our focus for this magazine is based in the Bronx and larger New York City community. In this edition of the magazine, you will find a plethora of different topics. We address anything from environmental degradation to student-led activism on campus. The Innovator team is dedicated to highlighting not only the problems of our time, but solutions too. As Fordham students, it is essential that we acknowledge our place in the Bronx community. Understanding privilege and respecting our neighbors is of the utmost importance. In this magazine, we have been fortunate to work with creatives from the Bronx and show their art. As in our previous edition, we continue to ask Fordham University and its students to showcase these voices. This year our cover features a prominent row of colorful houses near the Rose Hill campus. Usually rented out by students, we wanted something that symbolizes Fordham University students’ influence and effect in the Bronx. Obviously this year has been challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but instead of letting that deter our team, we worked even harder. Working together on this project has been an amazing outlet for pushing creative boundaries and challenging the norms of our current world. With an unknown future ahead of us, The Innovator hopes to inspire others to work hard on the issues they are passionate about and fight for others. It is in the Jesuit tradition to be vehicles of change for others. We hope you gain something from this edition, and our team could not be more eager to get to work on the next one!
will brodlo
Editor-in-Chief
The Innovator / Summer 2021 1
The Innovator is a project of the Fordham Social Innovation Collaboratory
Our mission is to deliver Fordham and New York City communities insightful, socially conscious content with honesty, passion, and pride. the innovator
The Innovator / Spring 2019
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synchesis: skill set activism
an interview by will brodlo with co-founder randall dumalig
Synchesis is an online marketplace that would allow individuals to offer their skills, or a service, in exchange for a donation to their designated 501(c)(3) organization.
Will Brodlo: Where did you find WB: What services are you hoping WB: What is Synchesis’ goal for the need for Synchesis? Synchesis can offer? 2021? Randall Dumalig: The idea came about from the observation that, for a lot of charitable organizations, the problem isn’t getting volunteers. The problem is getting funding. A ton of charitable organizations fail every year because they fail to secure funding. We wanted to specifically address the smaller organizations who may not have the resources necessary to make big marketing efforts.
The Innovator / Summer 2021 3
RD: So obviously - and this is especially the case for college students - not everybody has money to donate. On top of that, not everybody is able to go to a protest or clean up the park on weekends. But someone may have a skill that s/he/they can do really well - say, for instance, play the piano. The organization that they support (say The Audre Lorde Project) may not necessarily need a pianist but someone out there might be looking for virtual lessons. In exchange for a donation to that charity, the pianist could “volunteer” by teaching music lessons.
RD: We’re in the process of setting up a marketplacestyle website that would sort individuals by the causes they support. When you first create your base account (whether you’re a buyer, provider, or organization), you’ll be given a “quiz” to determine the causes you support the most. Upon completion, everyone will be assigned a unique color, and individuals can use this color to find like-minded people, organizations, and causes (think of it a little like Hogwarts houses).
Graphics by Will Brodlo and Layout by Kathryn Schulte
check out their instagram: @Synchesis
Graphics and Layout by Kathryn Schulte
solutions to air pollution in nyc By kathryn schulte
H
ome to one of the most trafficheavy cities in the country, New York inevitably must deal with air pollution. A major reason they must do so is to halt the effects of climate change in addition to stopping the negative, and at times fatal, effect it has on people’s health. The people most heavily impacted by this issue are communities of color both city and statewide, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. As of 2019, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens were the most polluted areas of the state, posing a problem to the city government. Given the severity of the health risks such as asthma, air pollution from New York City traffic poses a serious threat to their constituents. Of the many solutions, the most prominent are increased accessibility to mass transit options as well as a congestion tax. The effectiveness of such initiatives relies heavily on cooperation between the City and the State of New York as well as organizations like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). An equally important factor is the cost of such initiatives and how the city can potentially profit, especially in the light of the pandemic. Of these solutions, increased accessibility to mass transit is the most multifaceted approach to not
only reducing air pollution but also the unequal burden it places on communities of color. As previously mentioned, the Bronx and Queens, home to predominantly Black, Latino, and Asian communities, have the highest rates of exposure in all of New York. This is in part due to the lack of subway lines within walking distance from people’s homes in these neighborhoods. The City Comptroller, Scott Stringer, found only 75% of the city residents have access to a subway station in their neighborhood as of 2018. Currently, select bus services, such as the one on Fordham Rd to the 4 train, are used to accommodate for the lack of stations. This, however, does not do enough to address the issue. The program does not match the subway service because it lacks reliable speeds. Given this, many have suggested line extensions instead. In the Bronx, a possible extension is the Second Avenue Subway from 96th
for pedestrians and bikers, which is another way air pollution is reduced. A major issue with accessibility that goes beyond the areas with a lack of service is the failed compliance with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Despite being passed thirty years ago in 1990, 62 out of 122 neighborhoods with subways do not have a single accessible station. Again, the Bronx is disproportionately impacted by this, as it makes up 55 of the 62 neighborhoods. Meeting ADA requirements with upgrades will increase subway ridership, which in turn reduces carbon emissions. It also creates more opportunities for people to access jobs they were previously unable to reach without the subway and creates opportunities for new economic growth as well. An obvious restriction to subway improvements is funding and
“the Bronx and Queens, home to predominantly Black, Latino, and Asian communities, have the highest rates of exposure in all of New York.” street up to Grand Concourse to connect with the 2 and 5 trains. By extending lines, fewer people would be using cars or buses to get places, which would improve the air quality by removing pollutants from the air. More open streets are also safer
efficiency, in terms of how quickly the subways would be built. In his 2018 report, Stringer estimates $8 billion cost for meeting ADA requirements, which would add about 640,000 riders alone. The MTA has already spent over three times this amount on other The Innovator / Summer 2021 6
expansion projects like the LIRR connection to Grand Central, which only adds 462,000 riders in total. The Second Avenue Subway also serves as a major point of contention because its current three stations have cost $4.5 billion alone. The remaining 13 stations are not projected to be completed at least until 2050. Given the significant amount of time it takes to both approve funding for and then build the stations, it is unlikely such accessibility will be achieved any time in the near future especially in the wake of the deficit being caused by the pandemic. Aside from expanded public transit, another solution is congestion pricing in the central business district (CBD), which has already been implemented in major cities around the globe. It plays a critical role in achieving efficient mobility under Mayor De Blasio’s One NYC 2050 plan to significantly cut carbon emissions in the next thirty years and also meets the state’s goal for air quality. The initiative will charge drivers a toll when entering Manhattan below 60th St. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide how much drivers will pay and different pricing on weekdays and weekends. It is made up of five members appointed by Governor Cuomo and the MTA, and one by the mayor. Drivers will only be charged once, which is particularly important for those who make multiple trips. The plan also provides exemptions for emergency vehicles, those traveling on West Side Highway and FDR Drive, people with disabilities, and those who make under $60,000 a year. The goal of congestion pricing is to make the city less reliant on cars and incentivizes sustainable modes of transportation such The Innovator / Summer 2021 7
as “public transit, walking, and bicycling”. Pricing will be based on safety, hardships, vehicle type, and environmental impact. With the push for more public transit, the streets will be more open for the city to optimize curbside in a way that also benefits air quality. This includes more space for Citi Bikes, protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands, electric vehicle charger, and even public Wi-Fi hotspots. As a result of increased mass transit and open streets, a Cornell study found that the greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by almost 15%. They also found a direct relationship between the cost of the toll and reduction of gas emissions; the higher the toll the higher amount of greenhouse gases in metric tons are reduced (2020). In effect, $100 million would be saved annually in health costs. From the toll, there will also be an estimated $1 billion in revenue, which will become $15 billion over the coming years through bonds. This will go to fund the MTA’s 2020-2024 Capital Program to invest over $50 billion into public
transport to create “faster, more accessible and more reliable” service, which includes improvements at 66 subway stations. This will be a much more effective way to raise funds for improving services than appealing for more state and city funding, which becomes much more complex as seen earlier in the case of the Second Avenue Subway. The city got approval for this plan in 2019 by the state budget and it was originally expected to launch in January 2021 but is being delayed by the federal government under the Trump Administration. Congestion pricing relies on the tolling system, which requires approval from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The officer adds that once this initial approval is given, it will take an additional year to figure out the pricing model and then have it approved by the state. This approval was initially delayed by the former Trump Administration and, with the pandemic being the priority, initial approval is unlikely to come any time soon.
When speaking about the current plan, Governor Cuomo acknowledged the long history of challenges facing this issue, saying the hard issues “were put aside year after year, after year, after year,” adding “we are here to do the hard ones because those are the ones that need to get done”. For many years, previous mayors have tried to come up with a similar program to congestion pricing, such as a commuter tax. However, it’s up to those in the state legislature to decide to pass the law and implement it, and they often represent those in the New York suburbs who would be taxed. Because of such obstacles, congestion pricing proves to be slow in showing its effectiveness. If implemented, it should work much better than the previous solution in terms of cooperation from the city and state, and also generating significant revenue while creating cleaner air by prioritizing a car-less New York. It will also make history as the first US city with such a program.
actors such as the MTA. COVID-19 also compounds the need for more funding, as it has taken priority in trying to keep hospitals up and running, creating and distributing the vaccine, and also the deficit created due to quarantines. This illness also puts people who are exposed to poor air quality at an increased risk. Furthermore, the MTA’s bitter relationship with the City further complicates their inability to secure funding of their Capital Fund of about $50 billion, which is likely to be cut severely to make up for their record high debt as a result of the pandemic. The failure and slowly implemented projects such as the Second Ave. subway line make it difficult for City Council members to commit more of their budget to them even when accessibility and ADA standards are at stake.
The subway extensions, though they are extremely necessary, would most likely not be effective because of the significant amount of funding and time it requires. As stated by the City officials, the cost would likely be completely unfeasible, even if not for the pandemic. The City has already spent $25 billion on just three stations on the 2nd Avenue line. Extending existing lines to the Bronx and new stations and lines entirely to Queens is not likely to occur in the near future due to the straining relationship between the MTA and City officials. If proposed, however, it would directly help the communities impacted by poor air quality by encouraging use of public transit and, in effect, getting cars off of the streets. Despite such challenges, it is clear that climate change is best fought when cooperation is achieved by ensuring both health and also Given these complications, the a profit, as exemplified by these congestion tolls, if implemented proposals. as planned, are going to be the most effective in cutting emissions, Of these solutions, the most common promoting the use of mass transit, obstacle they have to overcome is opening walkways, and prioritizing funding. This is often complicated bikers. It offers the most benefits of by the relationships between city, a single solution and has actually state, and federal officials as well as been passed after years of back and forth between the state and the city.
Student Solution spotlight By andrea estrella
Colleen Cochran, Founder of the Social Innovation Collaboratory’s Climate Impact Initiative
Colleen Cochran was 15 years old when the coastal New Jersey community she called home was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Given her proximity to the coast, she had always had an affinity for nature. But seeing the devastation caused by Sandy functioned as a wake up call that shed light on the severity of the climate crisis and the urgency with which it needed to be addressed. She had come to the realization that
“if we continue to do nothing, this is going to be our reality - continued devastion.” The Innovator / Summer 2021 9
And with that pivotal realization, Colleen decided that working within the environmental space was what she wanted to do with her life. Still in high school at the time, she used a research project assignment as an opportunity to delve further into her interest in dune ecology and coastal management. She began working with homeowners and environmental groups in her area to test out different protective measures. In a community still reeling in the aftermath of the hurricane, this work was a way to aid rebuilding efforts while gaining valuable community input and information about the effectiveness and practicality of different methods.
Still relatively new to the environmental space, she soon came to understand an unfortunate truth about the function of environmental policy. “What was most disheartening to me was seeing how misaligned coastal management approaches were with not only what I was seeing from local environmental groups, homeowners, and all stakeholders involved in the community, but also with scientific research,” she says. She noted that many of the measures adopted by local and state officials were more conducive to shortterm goals like securing tourism revenues–a boon to politicians seeking re-election–than long-term effectiveness. Realizing this, Colleen decided to shift her attention to social science research, with a greater focus on gauging public knowledge of and interest in best coastal management practices. Despite the tremendous importance of scientific research in addressing environmental issues, Colleen believes that research alone is not enough to create substantive change. She argues, “no matter how much research is produced, nothing is going to be changed if it’s not being implemented in policy. And largely, it’s not.”
rather how we might best go about bridging such a gap. In terms of environmental policy specifically, Colleen believes a very large systemic overhaul is necessary.
“more people need to be at the table.” Ideally, she hopes to see a shift in the policy process that makes space for the implementation of a council comprised of researchers, community members, and local organizations. The approval of this council would then be required in order to pass any proposed policies, in an effort to ensure efficacy.
Such a solution would aim to address several key issues in the movement for environmental justice. First, it would counter the politicization of environmental issues, which favors political expediency rather than scientific recommendations and community input. It would also begin to address the lack of equitable representation in positions of power. Many of the people most directly impacted by climate change and environmental degradation are the ones doing the majority of the work in terms of activism and This disconnect between policy research. They are also dramatically and research is not a phenomenon exclusive to one region, but one seen across disciplines and locales. The acute danger of such a divide– exacerbated by the growing distrust in science–has been seen clearly in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. The question that remains, then, is not whether a gap between science and policy is dangerous, but Layout by Kathryn Schulte
underrepresented among decisionmaking positions, such as state and local legislators. In this sense, a lot of what needs to be done is centered around network building. In many cases, the resources and organizations with the potential to provide solutions already exist. It’s more a matter of bridging the gap between these groups and political actors to create a dialogue aimed at taking action. Whether increased representation is about including local activists and community members on committees or supporting local figures in running for public office, Colleen says, “More people need to be at the table.” Looking to the future, Colleen says she is optimistic–particularly when faced with the energy and commitment of her generation. Colleen continues to build on her previous research, and is involved with various environmental groups, serving as a leader of the Climate Impact team within Fordham’s Social Innovation Collaboratory and a member of the Bronx chapter of the Sunrise Movement.
Fordham-Columbia, NYU, and IBM Fellows & Interns Reception, Spring 2019
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D T F A R C N HA
how the pandemic sparked creativity and community
has desired ever since society has displaced us into this “new normal”.
I
n order to supply this drastic demand, crafty creatives across the globe have turned to their comfort of craft in order to sew masks for their communities. These “rosie the riveters” of the pandemic have rolled up their sleeves, threaded up their sewing machines, and have gone straight to work. An intimate example of this heroic craftiness comes from Hannah Brown, who is the nimble mind and hands behind Han-Crafted. Starting in March of 2020, while being stuck at home in social isolation, downtime grew great but the demand for masks grew greater all across the globe. Brown saw an opportunity to utilize her time at home, as well as gain some profits while being out of work, which is why she began sewing masks to donate to her local hospital and sell to members of her community. Since the beginning of her mask making initiative and the pandemic, Brown has individually sewed over 2000 masks, which have been scattered throughout the entire country. The rapid brand development through word of mouth and social media quickly created a community within itself - a community that Brown The Innovator / Summer 2021 11
Han-Crafted is a creative outlet where Brown tackles various crafty projects and initiatives for her community and beyond. So many people like Hannah have rediscovered or recently discovered the art of crafting and creativity, while also becoming social entrepreneurs by taking advantage of the unique times this pandemic has given us. These creatives have threaded together their own close knit community, which is something all of us need in these current times.
To all the modern Rosie the Riveters sewing and crafting away… Sewing and craft can be a pastime, a hobby, a state of peace. And when this kind of work - of creating something from simply fabric and thread, becomes this heroic process that can save lives, it makes the process all the more rewarding.
Our society is transitioning into a new socioeconomic structure in which we support small businesses and shop local. So many people have rediscovered or picked up new hobbies in the midst of the pandemic. And some such as Brown, seized the opportunity to make their hobby and crafty a source of income. This reflects the impending boom of social businesses where people who are driven by their passions.
“These creatives have threaded together their own close knit community, which is something all of us need in these current times.” Graphics and Layout by Kathryn Schulte
Normal A new By cat o’connor
reflections on a world post covid Nine months after the initial hit of the COVID-19 virus on the United States, we are all wondering if the end is anywhere near. It is now almost an entire year later and the US is still facing COVID related issues and struggling to regain composure. In the last nine months we have adapted to going about our daily lives wearing face masks. We have transitioned to working and doing school remotely from home. We have ached for friends and family, struggling to find a balance between living life and doing so safely and responsibly. This year has been absolutely heartbreaking for so many reasons. We’ve lost friends and family, jobs, opportunities. I personally lost the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, which has been a dream of mine for years. I also had to wait two months for a knee surgery after a very painful injury because the hospitals were overwhelmed at the time with the initial covid outbreak which ultimately became a six month process. We also lost our older neighbors who were like grandparents to my brother and I. On the contrary, I was able to take virtual summer courses and graduate from college a semester early. I was also able to take time to simply reflect on who I am and
what I want to make of myself. As horrific as this year has been, I think it is important to also consider the few positives. That’s not to say that this year hasn’t completely reshaped the way we all feel and think. We’ve lost almost an entire year of life because since March 2020 it has felt like time has stood still. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to work remotely and limit exposures, we no longer have long and painful commutes, overbooked schedules and on the go lifestyles. We are starting to realize that life doesn’t just have to be a constant sprint. For the first time in a long time, we are taking time to be with ourselves, our family (hopefully just immediate) and be present in the present moment. That’s not to diminish AT ALL the endless list of negatives that 2020 has brought us, because there are certainly many reasons to absolutely hate this year and what we are facing. We can continue to sit and mope about what we’re going through or we can make the most of it. I’m choosing to make the most of it and I hope you do too. We, as a people, need to adapt to move forward. That’s not to say that this situation doesn’t entirely suck, but we can’t let it control us. (Meaning we cannot
let life pass us by. We should listen to government regulations as far as preventing further exposures goes. There can be a middleground.). A few ways I am making changes because of 2020 include 1) Supporting small and local businesses and trying to refrain as much as possible from buying from large corporations. 2) Donating wherever and however I can to the many foundations and movements for things like Black Lives Matter, COVID relief, the California wildfires, etc. 3) Being more conscious of my plastic and other forms of waste. Being at home has really helped me eliminate a lot of to go packaging and prepare better to avoid having to use single use plastics. I’ve taken a lot of time to research best practices and feel much better about my personal actions and their consequences. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we are divided and we need to work on working together more than anything. So, that being said, we need to do our best to embrace the new normal and work together for the greater good.
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Layout by Kathryn Schulte
@inthebronx David Castillo (IG: @pablodcastillojr) is the founder of @InTheBronx, which is dedicated to showcase and shine light on what is known to be the most underrated borough in New York City through social media.
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“Growing up in the Bronx, I was exposed to many negative lifestyles. One in particular was graffiti. In 2005, at the age of 13, I started to write graffiti in the streets of New York. I was caught and arrested by the NYPD multiple times. As time passed, I started to realize the path I was on was putting my future at risk.”
“I needed a positive outlet in order to stay creative. Photography was my outlet of choice. In 2016 I dedicated my energy to express my creative thoughts through creating content and still be able to explore the streets of The Bronx and New York City.”
Layout by Kathryn Schulte
@heroichira Hira is a recent Fordham grad who is doing a wonderful job of showcasing the beauty of the Bronx.
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“I would want people to know that the way we see our environment is often internalized by us subconsciously. The Bronx is often showcased in a negative light by the media and outsiders. So for natives of the Bronx I hope these photos create pride and for others, love.”
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MEET THE TEAM. I’m really grateful for the platform the Innovator has given me and the team to explore issues we care about and form meaningful connections along the way. I’ve grown a lot through this process and learned so much about the work that goes into bringing a project like this into fruition. I’m so excited to share this issue with the Fordham community!
andrea estrella
kathryn schulte
Project Manager, Graphic Designer, & Writer
hannah brown
Creative Director and Writer
will brodlo
Magazine Specialist, Graphic Designer & Writer Being a Marketing and Sustainable Business major, I believe that The Innovator has been a dynamic platform to apply my skill sets and is an environment where my creativity and passion can flourish. I have always explored interests in the sustainable and social innovation space. Being a member of Fordham’s Social Innovation Collaboratory and leader of The Innovator has been such a unique opportunity to express my passions with purpose. This community that my team members and I have facilitated has motivated me to continue asking questions and seeking solutions creatively. Hello, I am Will! I am a Chicago native and current junior at Fordham College Rose Hill. I am a New Media and Digital Design major. I have been on the Innovator team for 2 years and am also the Project Manager for Design for Social Impact at the Collaboratory. I am so proud of this magazine, this team, and the topics we address. Hope you enjoy it!
Editor-in-Chief, Writer, and Graphic Designer
The Innovator / Summer 2021
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The Innovator has served as a creative outlet to shed light on current issues and also given me the chance to collaborate with other passionate students who inspire me to be a better writer and designer. Over this past year especially, it has allowed me to stay connected to the Fordham community despite being remote. It has been incredibily rewarding to be part of a such a publication.
Cat o’connor
Head of Social Media and Writer Hi- I’m Cat! I commuted to Fordham and graduated a semester early this past December. I managed The Innovator’s social media and was a part of the team for the last 2.5 years of my college career. The Innovator is an amazing community for students who hope to create positive change by providing solutions- not just discussing problems and I am so happy to have been a part of such a wonderful team!
want to join?
shoot us an email: theinnovator.fordham@gmail.com have an idea for a submission? contact us at the same email or dm us @theinnovator.sic
fordham social innovation collaboratory
Cover Art by Kathryn Schulte