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From “Thunder Cats” to acupuncture and following your gut
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Anthony Giovanniello grew up in an Italian-American household in Queens, NY, but for as long as he can remember, he says he’s had an affinity for Asian culture. “My parents thought they picked the wrong kid up from the hospital,” says Giovanniello laughing. “We were Catholic. So Friday nights we used to order all these… Read more
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“La Bamba,” “Zoot Suit” writer on the importance of building community
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Do you remember reading the play, “Zoot Suit” in high school or watching the movie “La Bamba” (1987), based on the life of 1950’s rocker Ritchie Valens, starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Esai Morales? They were both written by multi-award winning playwright and director, Luis Valdez. He is also the founder of the longest running… Read more
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A Greek immigrant tells stories to bring people together
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Barbara Aliprantis jokes that she started listening in utero. She was born with a superb memory, an expressive voice, and a vivid imagination – the recipe for the perfect storyteller. “I remember the day I left the fishing village of Paros, Greece, when I was two and a half, as though it were yesterday,” she… Read more
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A nun provides peace in a violence ridden community in Mexico
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Ever since Consuelo Morales was a small child in the northeastern metropolitan city of Monterrey, Mexico, she says she remembers feeling the unceasing urge to help others. She quickly learned doing so is what made her the happiest. One day, when she was in elementary school, Morales recalls encountering some poor children who didn’t have… Read more
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From a career in advertising to shedding light on Israeli inventions
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When Marcella Rosen is passionate about any issue, she makes sure it is known – not in a pushy or obstinate manner, but in a “Can you believe it?” way. After the native New Yorker graduated from Barnard College, she earned a masters in clinical psychology from Columbia University while working at night. It was… Read more