The NYC Workforce Drop with NYCETC’s Gregory J. Morris

Andrew Rigie on NYC’s Hospitality Economy: Jobs, Policy, and What It Takes to Operate

Andrew Rigie [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrigie/], Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance [https://thenycalliance.org/], joins Greg Morris [https://nycetc.org/team/gregory-j-morris/] for a conversation about restaurants, nightlife, small business survival, and what really happens behind the scenes in one of New York City’s most beloved industries. From hard-to-get reservations to rising labor costs, health inspections, outdoor dining rules, liquor licenses, and the future of nightlife, Andrew breaks down the pressures facing the city’s restaurants and bars, and why the hospitality industry remains such a powerful engine for jobs, culture, and community. Greg and Andrew also dig into what makes hospitality work so special: the people. Andrew reflects on growing up in his family’s bakery, learning the rhythm and rigor of restaurant work, and why everyone might benefit from spending some time in a kitchen or dining room. Along the way, they talk robots, regulation, workforce training, community boards, 4 a.m. licenses, minimum wage debates, and why New York’s small businesses need policies that help them thrive. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: hospitality; restaurants; nightlife; small business; workforce development; New York City; economic development; labor costs; regulation; community boards; outdoor dining; liquor licenses; minimum wage; restaurant jobs; small business advocacy

Building a Workforce System That Works for Families with Anthony Barrows

Anthony Barrows [https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonybarrows/], Executive Director of ⁠Lift New York⁠ [https://whywelift.org/]and longtime advocate for economic justice and systems reform, joins ⁠Greg Morris [https://nycetc.org/team/gregory-j-morris/]⁠ for a conversation about poverty, public systems, and the role community plays in helping families thrive. Drawing on his own experiences growing up in public housing in Boston, navigating foster care, and relying on social support systems as a young person, Anthony reflects on how these experiences have shaped his work and worldview. Now leading Lift New York, he focuses on helping families build economic mobility through coaching, direct cash support, and community-centered approaches rooted in what Lift calls “Hope, Money, and Love.” Greg and Anthony discuss the realities of chronic scarcity, the importance of lived experience in shaping policy, and why dignity and trust must be central to anti-poverty work. They also explore the long-term impacts of welfare reform, lessons learned during the pandemic, the challenges facing immigrant and working families in New York City, and what meaningful systems change could look like under a new administration focused on economic justice. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: economic justice; poverty; foster care; public benefits; workforce development; family support; behavioral science; lived experience; economic mobility; community building; social policy; New York City

Brian Aquart on Building Healthcare Workforce Pipelines and Expanding Economic Opportunity

Brian Aquart [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianaquart?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios]—Vice President of Workforce & Community Education at Northwell Health, [https://www.northwell.edu/] host of the Why I Left podcast [https://whyileft.co/], and founder of Storyline by Kingswood [https://www.kingswoodforestllc.com/storyline-by-kingswood/]—joins Greg Morris [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-j-morris/] for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and building clearer pathways into healthcare careers. From arriving in New York after the 2008 financial crisis and navigating early-career setbacks to leading workforce education initiatives at one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, Brian reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to mentorship, storytelling, and opportunity creation. At Northwell, his work focuses on expanding access to healthcare careers through partnerships with NYC Public Schools, FutureReadyNYC, the Northwell School of Health Sciences, and MedVoyage. Greg and Brian explore the role healthcare systems can play as anchor employers, the importance of early career exposure for young people, and how workforce development can create lasting economic mobility for underserved communities. They also discuss career transitions, failure, and why storytelling matters in helping people see where they belong. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: workforce development; healthcare careers; economic mobility; public education; leadership; mentorship; storytelling; FutureReadyNYC; Northwell Health; career transitions; New York City

Mini Episode: Carrying Forward Fred Shack’s Legacy

In this special mini episode, Greg Morris and Gary P. Jenkins take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Fred Shack, the longtime CEO of Urban Pathways and a tireless advocate for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Fred’s impact on the city—and on the people and colleagues who worked alongside him—was profound. Known for his unwavering commitment, sharp insight, and deep compassion, he helped shape a housing-first approach that changed lives across New York City. This conversation reflects on Fred’s leadership, his lasting influence on the sector, and the responsibility to carry his work forward.

Gary P. Jenkins on Supportive Housing, Systems Leadership, and Workforce Access

Gary P. Jenkins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-p-jenkins-8006682/]—CEO of Urban Pathways [https://urbanpathways.org/] and former NYC Department of Social Services Commissioner—joins Greg Morris for a conversation on leadership, resilience, and building systems that actually work for New Yorkers. From growing up in Fort Greene as the youngest of eight, to navigating early setbacks in college and rising through every level of city government, Jenkins shares the experiences that shaped his commitment to service. Now leading Urban Pathways, he brings that perspective to the frontlines of addressing homelessness, with a focus on housing-first solutions and long-term stability. Greg and Gary unpack mentorship, failure, and the weight of expectation. Real change takes persistence, and people willing to push systems forward. Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition Topics: homelessness; housing; public service; leadership; mentorship; systems change; Urban Pathways; NYC government; resilience; New York City