A Different Type of Frontline Responder

According to the Associated Press, more than 30 percent of homeless individuals have tested positive for COVID-19. Yet cities have done little to help them. In Los Angeles, the homeless population was promised temporary housing, resources, and working washing stations. But many of these resources are limited and not available to the entire homeless community.

So Shirley Raines decided to do something about it. Raines is the founder of Beauty2theStreetz—a non-profit that provides Los Angeles’s unhoused population with food, clothing, and beauty services. After Shirley saw the city broke many of its promises, she and her team sprung into action. They provided unhoused individuals with hand sanitizers, masks, food, and education on how to stay safe from the coronavirus. Check out our latest video to learn more about Shirley and her team.

Lead image by: Alondra Buccio

Food 4 Thought: Beef Empanadas

The first versions of empanadas came to the Americas by way of Spanish conquistadors. But they quickly shrank and became the grab-n-go versions we all know and love today. From savory to sweet, this tasty dish has become a Latin staple. Watch our latest episode of Food 4 Thought to learn how to make Argentina’s most common empanada—beef!

The Flavor of Sound: Banana Pudding

Actor Tommy Dorfman shows us how to make their favorite Southern dessert, banana pudding, in our latest episode of The Flavor of Sound. The “13 Reasons Why” star guides us through an ASMR version of the quick and refreshing recipe—check it out!

Food 4 Thought: Flan

Flan is one of the most popular desserts in Latin America, but did you know its roots are European? That’s right! In fact it was a big hit in ancient Rome. Watch our latest Food 4 Thought episode to learn how to make this yummy custard!

Zoe Saldana & Dr. Victor Nwankwo Talk COVID-19’s Impact on Communities of Color 

Zoe Saldana sits with Dr. Victor Nwankwo, a resident in Chicago, to talk about COVID-19 and its implications for people of color, what we can do to help and what we should be talking about.

The Flavor of Sound: Pollo Guisado

Who knew cooking chicken could be so… sexy? In the latest episode of our new ASMR series, The Flavor of Sound, actor Ramses Jiménez, shows us how to make his favorite Dominican dish—pollo guisado.

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Food 4 Thought: Mofongo

“Plantains are the lifeblood of any good Dominican dish,” says our next Food for Thought host, Eli. Join us in the BESE kitchen this week—where Eli teaches us to make his favorite platano snack, mofongo. 

The Flavor of Sound: Coconut Macaroons with Zoe Saldana

Hidden Figuras: How Luchita Hurtado Went From Painting in the Shadows to TIME’s 100 List

For years the work of Luchita Hurtado, one of the world’s most esteemed painters, went unrecognized. But now, as she nears 100 years of age, Luchita has received international recognition for her art. She was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, has received a lifetime achievement award, and she’s landed a career retrospective at the Serpentine Gallery in London. How did she do it? With the help of a group of women who refused to let their passions and talents take a back seat to marriage and motherhood, and instead, came together to lift each other up. Watch the latest episode of Hidden Figuras to find out more. 

Lead Image: © Luchita Hurtado Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth

Food 4 Thought: The Perego Boys Shake with Zoe Saldana

Looking for a quick, easy recipe for the little ones? Zoe Saldana has just the nutritious fix for you. Check it out in our yummy new pop up series, Food 4 Thought, where we’re shaking it up in the BESE kitchen and serving not just food, but also facts.

Being Undocumented In The Time of Corona

Mia* and her sister had planned to attend an endometriosis rally in Texas to see if they could get help for their undocumented mother, whose legal status makes it difficult for her to afford her medications. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the rally was canceled, Mia and her family were left with unanswered […]

How to Donate Medical Supplies to Local Hospitals

Hospitals all around the world, and in the U.S. are doing their best to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. But due to the quick and wide spread of the virus, and the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) like N95 masks, gloves, isolation gowns, face shields, goggles, and respiratory suits, health care professionals are having […]

Here’s a List of Small Businesses You Can Support During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Businesses across the country are being forced to shut down or limit their services due to the COVID-19 outbreak. While these measures are necessary to keep the community safe, we know they’re hurting a lot of individuals—especially small business owners. But just like we can do our part to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, […]

Baseball’s Skillful Street Version

“If you can hit a Vitilla, you can probably hit anything,” says player Elias Barcacel. Vitilla was invented by Dominican youth who could not afford the bat and ball needed to play traditional baseball, and instead used a stick and bottle cap. Today, the sport has expanded to the U.S., and helps develop skills in players that are sought after in professional leagues. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we meet some of the men that help keep vitilla alive today. Presented by Smartwater.

How To Get Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

Cities all across the United States are doing their best to flatten the curve and limit the spread of the coronavirus, but it hasn’t come without its consequences. Schools have closed and forced children to continue their studies at home and businesses have locked their doors and laid off multiple employees. In an effort to […]

The Afro-Brazilian Beats of Capoeira

Capoeira combines martial arts, dance, and acrobatics to tell the story of the enslaved Africans who were brought to Brazil. In this episode of The Shape Shift—an original series from BESE and Smartwater that explores the intersection of sports, culture, and history—we meet Jessica Carla De Lima, the brown belt Capoeirista who has dedicated the past 21-years of her life to practicing the ancient art form.