Sunday Night on MNN: Building a Better NYC

It’s easy to focus on all that is wrong in the world, but it’s important to remember that it’s not all bad news and change is possible. This Sunday on MNN, tune in to programming featuring people who aim to make changes that will improve the lives of many in New York City.

First on “Represent NYC,” watch a debate about a regulatory agreement that could affect the city’s Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) program. Next on “The Radical Imagination,” tune in for a discussion about the importance of maintaining small businesses in New York City. Finally, check out the latest episode of “Both Sides of the Bars” to learn about why it’s so challenging to provide inmates and formerly incarcerated individuals with a balanced diet.

Read below for more information on each episode:

7pm - Represent NYC: Why is there a battle brewing over 30,000 affordable housing units in New York City?

It’s no secret that the cost of living in New York City is outrageously high and for many, owning a home is just not feasible. To address this issue, the city created the HDFC program to make homes more affordable for buyers. However, a new proposed regulation that would alter the benefits of this program has caused a debate among homeowners.

This Sunday on “Represent NYC,” Central Harlem’s Community Board 10 Chair Brian Benjamin sits down with HDFC Shareholder Gayle Davis, John McBride of the HDFC Coalition, and Mark Matthews from the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to discuss their opposing viewpoints of the effects this new regulation will have on those involved.

Represent NYC airs every Sunday at 7pm and repeats on Wednesdays at 9pm on MNN1 (TWC 34 & 1995, RCN 82, FiOS 33), MNN's HD Community Channel (TWC 1993) or streaming live on mnn.org.

8pm - The Radical Imagination: Imagining and Saving Small Businesses in New York City

In a capitalist country dominated by large corporations, it can be difficult to remember the small, but equally important, businesses run by hardworking people.

This Sunday on “The Radical Imagination,” host Jim Vrettos talks with Steven Null about the importance of small businesses to our economy and why we as a country need to make sure they stay open.

Steven Null is a small business owner in Manhattan who founded the Coalition for Fair Business in the 1970’s and the Coalition to Save Small Businesses in 2008. He was also appointed to the first Mayoral Small Business Advisory Task Force by the former Mayor Dinkins.

Firehouse TV’s “The Radical Imagination” airs every Sunday at 8:00 pm on MNN1 (TWC 34 & 1995, RCN 82, FiOS 33) and MNN’s HD Community Channel (TWC 1993) or streaming live on mnn.org. Catch the repeat every Thursday at 8:00 pm on MNN4 (FiOS 36, RCN 85, TWC 67 & 1998) and MNN’s HD Community Channel (TWC 1993) or streaming live on mnn.org.

9pm - Both Sides of the Bars: Ending Hunger and Mass Incarceration

Maintaining a well-balanced diet is a relatively easy task for many, except for those who are incarcerated. Inmates are often at the mercy of the low-budget meals picked by local or state governments and even when they are released they don’t always have access to healthy foods.

This Sunday on “Both Sides of the Bars,” host Ronald Day talks with The Fortune Society's Manager of Food & Nutrition Services, Jaime McBeth, and grant writer Kandra Clark about the importance of securing nutritious meals for inmates and formerly incarcerated individuals as well as the challenges that come along with this job.

Watch “Both Sides of the Bars” on Sunday at 9pm on MNN1 (TWC 34 & 1995, RCN 82, FiOS 33), MNN's HD Community Channel (TWC 1993), or streaming live on mnn.org.