Introduction

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Iky1I3_rA

Voices of Jackson Heights aims to amplify the experiences of different community members from the diverse, dense, and shifting neighborhood at the heart of Central Queens.

It is the cumulative work of students Anling Chen, Amalia Heron, Phuntsok Lama, Henry Mei, Amrin Rahman, and Sowjanya Sritharasarma for Macaulay Honors College Seminar 2: The People of New York City. Under the instruction of Professor Jeffrey London and TLC Fellow Elly Weybright, we set out to interview different Jackson Heights residents on their personal experiences, their relationships with the neighborhood, and their views on issues that affect Jackson Heights.

Our individual findings from the interviews we conducted, additional background information on the neighborhood, and a map of notable places in Jackson Heights are also provided.

We hope you find the content of these pages insightful and engaging. Much love from all six of us.

~❤

All Interviews

Cecilia and Roberto

Cecilia is a Colombian-American immigrant and has called Jackson Heights home for about 25 years. Roberto has been living in Jackson Heights for around 21 years. They are the parents of Sophia Paradis.

Eishika (18)

Eishika lived in Jackson Heights until she was 16, when her parents moved their family to Bayside, a residential and suburban neighborhood on the border of Queens.

 

Jason and Kristi (29 & 29)

Jason lived in Jackson Heights during middle and high school. After having lived in different places and getting married together, Jason and Kristi moved to the area and have been here since.

Nazaha (18)

Born in Elmhurst Hospital, Nazaha has lived in Jackson Heights her whole life.

 

Noshin (18)

Noshin is a Bengali-American immigrant who lives in nearby Woodside and regularly visits Jackson Heights.

Sangay

Sangay is a Nepali immigrant and Uber driver who has been in Jackson Heights for about 11 years.

Shi Ting (19)

Shi Ting has lived in Jackson Heights for 5 years. Previously, she lived in the Upper East Side. She is the Chinese-American daughter of immigrant parents.

SophiaSophia (20)

Sophia is a Colombian and Dominican Latina. Born and raised in Jackson Heights, she is the daughter of Cecilia Santos and Roberto Paradis.