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Team Meeting - November, 2023

505BX is a community space for work and play located in the heart of the Riverdale/Kingsbridge community at 505 West 236th Street.

Currently, each week two silent meditation sessions are held in the space to provide an opportunity for neighbors to sit in silence together to refresh their minds and bodies while using their own meditation style. Far from silent, each week, Karaoke Fridays fill 505BX with music, laughs and dozens of joyful community members. A weekly “CommuniTea” Podcast is also recorded in the space.

505BX includes an art gallery space, Gallery 505, where local artists exhibit their work. Each time a new artist is featured, an Opening Event is held with the chance for community members to meet the artist and enjoy the exhibit along with light refreshments and live music. Artists display their work for about ten weeks.

In the spring and fall, Monday Fundays are held providing families with a fun after school experience. Monday Fundays are mini-carnivals held in front of our space featuring face painting, a stiltwalker, live music, crafts and snacks.

A monthly book club meets at 505BX to engage in a lively discussion about a variety of interesting books over a light lunch.

Our KRVC/4Bronx Truck is also periodically parked in front of 505BX to collect donations for the underserved members of our community.

In 505BX, we also hold holiday celebrations including our huge annual Halloween Party, Poetry Readings, Workshops, Meetings and more.

All the events held at 505BX are free and open to the public. However, due to space constraints, registration is required for some of the events.

Our larger community events held outside our space include concerts, art shows and other events such as film screenings, celebrations and more.

KRVC Productions recently released it’s first award-winning film “Wake Up Call” and plans to expand it’s work to other parts of the Bronx.

Click here for our full calendar of events.

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Staff

Laura Levine-Pinedo, Executive Director & Founder of The 4 Bronx Project

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Laura Levine-Pinedo (she/her) is a true Bronx girl. She was raised on W238th St and Review Place. She has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and holds a BA in International Business. In 2020, Laura founded The 4Bronx Project. The origin of The 4Bronx name comes from Laura being raised by her grandmother in apartment 4B. The 4Bronx takes what Laura learned in the home, and expands it borough-wide. Many times, Bronx stories are not told. Laura couldn't let that happen to her grandma. The 4Bronx Project was founded to ensure her Mema's spirit and legacy would continue. In her opinion, The Bronx has been the forgotten borough for decades. Laura is excited to do her part to change that narrative by always putting The Bronx first. Currently, Laura is the first point of contact for (4) Bronx shelters. She directly services over 600 families with resources and entertainment. She has produced: carnivals, holiday parties, back-to-school events, self-love events, community libraries, and so much more. She would like to thank all of the volunteers and community partners that help make the magic happen! They are the local heroes! Her gratitude to them is immeasurable.In addition, The 4Bronx Project also aims to promote and embrace the greater Riverdale community. Laura co-organizes: Riverdale Pride, Riverdale Restaurant Week, The Riverdale Easter Egg Hunt, BOO! On Mosholu, The Riverdale Women's Celebration, and so much more! She also produces small business spotlights, and has her own podcast, "The 4Bronx CommuniTea Podcast."In 2023, Laura began as a small business resource specialist with The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the NYC Small Business Resource Network. Her training has made her an advocate for Bronx businesses by providing resources to Bronx entrepreneurs. Some resources include: financing, marketing, legal, business strategy, and MWBE city and state certification.Laura is passionate about creating a more inclusive community and giving a voice to Bronxites. She is enthusiastic about her new position and strengthening community partnerships. She feels honored to have been trained by Tracy Shelton, her predecessor, who laid the groundwork for many more great things to come. Thank you to the KRVC board for believing in her mission as well. Together, with your help, let's make our community thrive!Laura is grateful for her husband, Andrew. She credits her mother for being a positive role model in business and life. Laura speaks fluent Spanish. She enjoys singing and traveling.You can reach Laura directly at [email protected].
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Shari Hall, Associate Director

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​Shari Hall, Deputy Director, joined KRVC in October 2008 with a public relations and marketing background. Ms. Hall currently manages the day-to-day operations of KRVC. A former Kingsbridge native who moved out of the area and then returned to Riverdale to raise her family of two daughters, Ms. Hall is very committed to our community.  Both of Ms. Hall’s daughters are PS 81 graduates.  In addition to her personal and nostalgic interest, Ms. Hall is also vested in revitalizing this neighborhood so it continues to be a viable place to live in the Bronx.  She believes that preservation and development of the local stores, businesses and schools are vital to the survival of any community.  Through the efforts of KRVC and like-minded organizations, she hopes we can obtain this goal.

Edan Segal, Chief Financial Officer

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Edan Segal joined the KRVC staff in the fall of 2016 in the role of Special Event’s Coordinator. As a retired attorney, she has volunteered in Riverdale for years serving on the boards of South Riverdale Little League and the Parent’s Associations of PS 24 and Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy. Having grown up in Riverdale, and after raising her family here, she was excited to continue serving this community that means so much to her. "Working at KRVC has been truly inspiring. Even though we are a small not-for-profit with limited funds, I continue to be amazed at the fabulous work that we do." From jobs programs, community beautification, and local merchant organizing to the sponsoring of numerous free cultural performances and exhibitions, to children’s parties and the large community extravaganzas like Street Fairs, Outdoor Concerts and Outdoor Movie Nights. After working here for more than a year, she transitioned to Chief Financial Officer and her responsibilities now include managing KRVC's accounting operations and financial matters and securing funding through the grants we receive. "I am so happy and proud to be a part of Team KRVC."
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​Nina Seigenfeld Velazquez, Arts Program Director

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Nina Seigenfeld Velazuqez is a visual artist/ curator from the Northwest Bronx. She attended the School of Visual Arts in the early 1980’s . While there she and a fellow fine arts student, Mario Fernandez co founded The New Math Gallery, one of the premier galleries during the East Village art movement of the early 1980’s. After closing the New Math gallery she worked as an independent art dealer matching artists to corporate collectors. Seigenfeld/ Velazquez took a break from the art world from 1988- 2005 in order to raise her 6 children. She worked within the Riverdale community as the gallery director at the Riverdale Y from 2007-2009 and parent coordinator at P.S. 81 since 2003. Nina has taught art in after school programs, community centers and privately for the past 20 years. She is passionate about bringing community together through the arts and is thrilled to be a part of KRVC. Open Call! Are you a Bronx artist and would like to be featured in our gallery? Please reach out to Nina at [email protected] We are also planning an art fair in November and art classes for kids!
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​Angie Rivera, Events Coordinator

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Angie Rivera was born and raised in the South Bronx and moved to Riverdale in 2008. She started working for The City University of New York (CUNY) in 2005, earning degrees in Studio Art and Public Administration with a concentration in Data Management & Communications from Hunter College and John Jay College. Angie volunteered as an art mentor for Free Arts NYC from 2012 until 2020. Free Arts NYC is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship and educational services to homeless, neglected and under-served children and families of New York City. Angie began volunteering for the 4Bronx Project in 2022, assisting with the domestic violence shelter events, and co-organizing the Boo! on Mosholu, Candy Cane Lane and Mosholu Loves You events. She also helps produce the 4Bronx CommuniTea Podcast, and oversees Community Karaoke at the KRVC Community Space. Angie sees her volunteer work as a way to repay those who helped her overcome her challenges during her time in the NYC foster care system.
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Board of Directors

​Terhi Edwards, Chair

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​ As Board President of KRVC and Manager of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Riverdale, seeing our community prosper is important to me. I began working with KRVC in 2017 when Tracy Shelton offered me the opportunity to become Board President. Over the years, I have noticed the great effort that KRVC has put into improving the community of Riverdale, and I wanted to help and give back to the community which has given me and my family so much. I am very proud of KRVC and how much it has helped advance the Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt and surrounding communities. I look forward and anticipate even more success to come in the future. 

​Petr Stand

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With over 40-years’ experience in the fields of architecture, urban design, and development, I have worked for state and municipal agencies, engaged in healthcare, residential and urban design, led an architectural design studio at the City College School of Architecture, chaired the board of a non-profit local development corporation in the northwest Bronx, conducted urban design studies for the Bronx Harlem River Waterfront and was a partner in a Manhattan-based architecture, planning and development practice. I am currently partnering, as a member of a non-profit, Project Abigail, with a NYC LGBTQ+ organization in the research, analysis, design, and development of medical and wellness facilities, housing, cultural preservation and landmarking. Perhaps one of the more significant projects in my portfolio is the work over the course of the last 30 years with the community development corporation Nos Quedamos on the design and development of the Melrose Commons Urban Renewal Plan in the Bronx in articulating the community’s vision through zoning analysis, urban design and in negotiating with various NYC agencies regulating the Urban Renewal Area and then in the development and design of eleven mixed-use residential buildings (of various typologies) and 35 townhouses. This work has included partnering with Nos Quedamos in the formation of the South Bronx Community Land and Resource Trust (an initiative through the NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development) and in the development of the Bronx Cultural Collective (an initiative of the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs). I have (and continue to) enjoyed extensive relationships with my colleagues through participation and presentation of professional research in conferences and seminars organized through the American Institute of Architect, the American Planning Association, New York Design Trust, and the New York State Council on the Arts. In addition, my work has won awards and been cited for excellence from the NYC Municipal Arts Society; the NYC Dept. of City Planning, The NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission; Architects, Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, among others. Having partially retired, I have been indulging in, and enjoying, traveling across and around in the United States and in Europe. My wife, Susan, and I have been particularly enjoying train travel to New Orleans, Chicago, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles as well as traveling by train from London to Paris, with additional trips to Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Berlin.
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Maria C. Caveda

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​Inspired by the passionate work of KRVC and its members, Maria C. Caveda joined the team in November, 2024, in hopes of contributing to the community where she has resided for nearly 50 years, raised her child and made life-long friendships and strong community ties. Throughout the years, she has done volunteer work at Horace Mann and other community events. Maria has a degree in Biology and a certification in Interpretation. She currently works as a court interpreter in Immigration and State Courts, as well as independently. 
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Elaine Terrell

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Elaine Terrell is a lifelong New Yorker, having grown up in Utica and moving to the NYC area before settling in Riverdale in 1979. After beginning a career as a registered nurse, she found she was drawn to working in business; she went on to attend William Paterson College and NYU majoring in business administration. While raising her two children, Elaine opened a video store in Riverdale, and her love for working with kids resulted in expanding the store to include a successful birthday party business. Over a decade later, Elaine moved on to a career in sales for a national medical supply company, becoming the Northeast Regional Sales Manager before ultimately being promoted to National Director of Customer Development and Education. Having been a small business owner, she understands the value of local businesses and their potential to connect and uplift the community. Her involvement with KRVC provides an opportunity for her to continue this passion. 
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​Mego Gojka
Jerald Kreppel
Orlando Kross
Linda Hirlehey
​Sokol Delaj
Regina DiStadio

CONTACT US:

For more information about KRVC and our space, 505BX, The 4Bronx Project please reach out to us at [email protected]

For information about Gallery 505 please reach out to [email protected]​