The Usable Past with Marie Nahikian

For 20+ years, a diverse community of Brooklyn women (and a few men), have learned from Torello Cabrol how to build a community workout with love, care and respect for each other.

Show Notes

This is an only in Brooklyn story about building community in the most unexpected places. Ellen Dede, the organizer,  has followed Torello Cabrol's water aerobics class for over 20 years; she is joined on the podcast by Bill Kahn,  a newcomer and Marie Nahikian, The Usable Past host who joined the class only 3 years ago. Torello Cabrol talks abut the rules of his class - "move water" and "don't ask questions" - this is your workout. P.J. Ryan, co-host and producer makes the crucial observation - "Why do you do this?" The podcast is about a water aerobics class that includes family, respect and taking care of the only body you have. 

What is The Usable Past with Marie Nahikian?

Veteran community organizer Marie Nahikian hosts The Usable Past, where activists share their stories of past and present organizing for better housing, food, banks, jobs, environmental and social justice. A Brooklyn resident, Marie most recently worked with U.S. Housing & Urban Development under President Obama and has participated in building 5,000 affordable homes in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York. Marie has been a neighborhood, civil rights, housing and labor organizer, a community journalist, and in 1977 was a founder of WPFW-FM Pacifica radio in Washington, DC.