The Bronx Narratives Dream Team
“I simply say that there are only three places that have a ‘the’ in front of their name: the Vatican, the Hague, and the Bronx, and that so much talent has come out of the Bronx”
The Bronx is home to artists, musicians, writers, entrepreneurs and regular folks, who make our borough vibrant, diverse, and dynamic. At Bronx Narratives, we look forward to learning about and sharing the innumerable stories that exist in our hometown.
Reading that Mary Higgins Clark, Al Pacino, and Carl Reiner, are all native Bronxites shocked me. To think that some of my favorite artists and writers are from my hometown inspired me to continue honing my writing skills, because maybe, just maybe, I can become a successful Bronxite like them. But, I shouldn’t have been too surprised by the various talents that came up in our borough, after all our grit and resilience are bar none.
As we head into 2019, we invite you to meet some of the Bronx Narratives team members who are striving to make the Bronx a little better than the way they’ve found it.
Dondre Green, Creative Director & Founder
HN: What led you to create Bronx Narratives?
DG: Me and the co-captains felt the need to change the narrative of the borough and let Bronxites create their own instead of being stereotyped by often outdated and misinformed media. The Bronx isn't perfect, we have a ways to go but I'm happy to be a part of the mission.
Decota Letman, Logistics Coordinator
HN: What would you most like to see brought to the Bronx (affordable housing, jobs, etc.)?
DL: More creative spaces for an intergenerational audience and more restaurants/lounges for everyone! We shouldn’t have to leave the Bronx to chill or eat.
Sabrina Hall, Lead Online Editor & Co-Art Director
HN: What are you most passionate about?
SH: At the moment, mentoring and helping people grow their passions.
Hoay Smith, Art Director
HN: What do you love most about the Bronx?
HS: I appreciate an environment that brings me peace - there's plenty of greenery amid the concrete. Walks in the park, meditating to the sounds of a running river, watching the sun set, birds chirping. That's what I love about the borough.
Pedro Pincay, Social Media & Field Data
HN: What’s your favorite restaurant in the Bronx?
PP: Liberato Restaurant in Burnside Ave off the 4 train.
Jeannie Smith, Writer
HN: What are you most passionate about?
JS: Travel travel travel travel travel! I moved around a lot when I was younger and often had to acclimate to new environments and I feel that has inspired this love and need to see the world. I solo travel often, which annoys my friends lol, but it’s a form of self care for me that I greatly value whenever I can. I’m also passionate about culture and learning about people and languages (anthropology nerd!)
Kayla Smith, Illustrator and Podcast Co-Host
HN: What would you most like to see brought to the Bronx (affordable housing, jobs, etc.)?
KS: Anything that will help the Bronx and her residents thrive. I do believe we need more job opportunities in the Bronx but I'd also like us to create them by owning businesses.
For my first assignment as a new staff writer for Bronx Narratives, I conducted a brief interview with Dondre Green, the founder of the online and physical Bronx based publication Bronx Narratives. Dondre, who is a native of the Bronx, as well as the magazines lead photographer and creative director, granted me access into a deeper look inside the publication.
RICHARD DEFINO: Hi Dondre. Before we get started, I wanted to take the time to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to write for Bronx Narratives; it’s a real honor to work with you and share my story with Bronx readers, writers and artists alike, both from the Bronx and outside our home borough.
For my first story with Bronx Narratives, I’ve been selected to interview you--my goal is to familiarize the readers with yourself and Bronx Narratives. I’m really excited about this interview and thought we could first start with an introduction of yourself before we got into the thick of it. Thank you!
RICHARD: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
DONDRE: I’m a Bronx-born and raised curious human who enjoys simple things and creating solutions. Some of my passions include: Photography, Design (Graphic, Interior & Stage), Basketball and Community.
RICHARD: What inspired you to start Bronx Narratives?
DONDRE: I felt there was a niche in our local media sources to create something that felt more authentic, more innovative while being fully community centered. In 2014, after me, Decota (our now Logistics coordinator) and Hoay (our now Art Director) threw our first Bronx event ever at The Point, I wondered what building a long term community infrastructure would look like and how we could attract and share more interesting Bronxites in a variety of ways.
We met up with people who attended the event a few weeks later at The Bronx Library and started listening to ideas of what Bronx Narratives could look like from the eyes of people who live here. It was refreshing.
In addition, my friend Jack Sommer, also played a huge role in the publication, I’d actually say he low-key mentored me during the early stages, he’s always been someone to help people near to him organize their ideas and offer honest feedback with anything you present his way and for him I’m thankful.
RICHARD: What can people expect from Bronx Narratives in 2019?
DONDRE: I think each year we’re trying to grow and challenge ourselves by taking leaps that allow us to continue our mission and I believe in 2019 ongoing local partnerships will allow us to event plan and be a bit more strategic with our goals when it comes to serving the community.
RICHARD: What changes will there be from previous years?
DONDRE: I don’t think they’ll be changes per se but as each year passes by, the captains and I all approach each year with a new level of focus and setting the tone with the energy we expect from our teammates.
RICHARD: What do you love/dislike the most about the Bronx?
DONDRE: The people. I love Bronx people, they’re resilient. If you know where to go, you know what the Bronx has to offer when it comes to food. Things I dislike are public transportation within borough and lack of resources for low-income individuals.
RICHARD: What was your favorite street pastime as a kid? For example; manhaunt, stickball, hanging with friends, etc..
DONDRE: I would play basketball pretty much all day with my brother during the summers, just to stay active. Most times with my neighbors too to spice up the competition. Reflecting on it, those were really fun times.
RICHARD: From your perspective as a Bronxite, innovator, or just as Dondre Green, what are you most proud of?
DONDRE: I think putting Bronx Narratives in a space to serve the community in ways I’ve never imagined is a start. For instance at our Bronx Day Party at the Bronx Museum this past year, afterwards I felt charged up seeing everyone come together and share that special unity we hold in our hearts. My team has been planting seeds for quite some time now.
RICHARD: Dondre this was great, thank you for your time and for allowing me to interview you! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Bronx Narratives.
DONDRE: Thank you and glad to have you on board.