CUNY TV's BuildingNY

Austin Johnson knew he would always work: at 14 the supermarket, in the kitchen of a local restaurant, cooking on the ocean, Europe and Michelin-star chefs. Gaining on-the-job experience, Chef Austin shares his journey to his own Michelin Star restaurant.

The 7th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Grandmaster John Buran talks about family - immigrants to America, Pennsylvania coal miners, Black Lung disease, living in Queens, Brooklyn Tech, NYU, banking experiences, and people who have contributed to his career.

Aaron Jungreis talks about the Kastner Train, bringing Jewish families to safety in 1944 and his own determination to achieve success. As founder and CEO of the award-winning Rosewood Realty Group, Jungreis attributed its growth and success to hard work!

Robert Grossman MD, CEO, NYU Langone Health, dean of the NYU School of Medicine, talks about growing up poor, working, and the positive effects of "hard-times" on him and his career. Grossman highlights NYU Langone Health's growth in NYC, Brooklyn and LI.

At 9, Bess saw Bella Abzug on stage, calling the event life changing. As a state prosecutor, she saw power and love help people with no voice. Freedman as CEO, has grown Brown Harris Stevens into one of the largest private real estate companies in the US.

Henry Meer's father and grandfather were good cooks but Henry Meer wanted to be a chef! A dream come true, Mr. Meer served - for 18 years - as sous-chef at La Côte Basque and Lutèce - two of New York's elegantly beautiful and best known French restaurants. Meer's story continues as owner/operator of the Cub Room, City Hall, and now, the Pure Liquid Wine & Spirits shop.

"..they had a passion for education," is Dr. Fritz François' description of his parents, Haitian immigrants, and how an education was provided. Dr François with an NYU team, went to Haiti with medical assistance after the devastating earthquake in 2011.

Bishop Victor Allen Brown, World Council of Independent Christian Churches and Senior Pastor of Mt. Sinai United Christian Church describes his calling to the ministry at 12, and his work, as a volunteer with the NYPD Clergy Police Liaison Program.

Ed Brown wanted to cook-to be a chef, to work in food services! Growing up, he worked in a luncheonette-went to CIA-to Paris- and was awarded Michelin Stars. Brown discusses good and bad of his own business and his relationship with Restaurant Associates.

A child of holocaust survivors, Jack Kliger, with his mother's photo, taken at 14 in the Budapest ghetto, and his daughter's Bas Mitzvah picture, discusses the vast differences in their lives, and his personal commitment to the Museum of Jewish Heritage

His family history made it almost certain that Robert CJ Krasner would be a physician. How does a doctor on the Berry Plan get posted to Ethiopia, Sardinia, England, Panama, attain the rank of Rear Admiral and serve as Attending Physician to Congress?

Judith Kelman, well-known mystery novelist, happy to explore the "what-if" of life, discusses becoming a writer and how "Prime Evil" was born. Kelman founded a remarkable program at Sloan Kettering, pairing patients who want to write with authors/mentors.

In 1880, three brothers hopped a freighter in Sicily-landing in Texas. Hard work, good fortune enabled Scardino's father to study medicine. Curiosity, love of learning-and science helped Peter Scardino, MD specialize in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Child of 3rd-4th generation German Jews, Michael Strauss shares his family's escape to Palestine in 1935; the difficulty living in Haifa; America in 1956, delivering groceries, bussing, CCNY-Baruch, American Express, Yeshiva University; the story goes on.

Stratis Morfogen, restaurateur, entrepreneur, author, talks about his family from a "little village in Sparta," opening their first restaurant, Pappas, on 14th Street. Pappas remained open from 1910-1975, the start of the Morfogen restaurant dynasty.

Stephen Siegel is known for deal-making and for philanthropic generosity. Born in the Bronx, Siegel graduated from Monroe HS at 15, worked as a real estate broker at 17, becoming chair and CEO at 37. Cushman & Wakefield, ESG, CBRE-peaks in Siegel's career

Nadir Settles grew up in the Bronx, part of a large family, with aunts or older cousins to help out when his mother worked long hors. A St. John's and Villanova graduate, Settles discusses INROADS professional pipeline program and its effect on his career

Following his father's rule never to work for someone else but to create his own business, Vernon W. Hill, II. built banks from scratch, adapting a retail, value-added, service model of customer satisfaction, loyal to his brand - not just another old bank

Advised to slow down, Noam Wasserman recognized that it's more important to do things right than fast. This guidance contributed to academic achievements and to success in business. Author of 2 books, Wasserman is dean at Yeshiva University.

Clark Gillies, in the #9 jersey, talks about playing for the NY Islanders, the rivalry between the home team and the Rangers, the Stanley Cup, the Hockey Hall of Fame and founding the Clark Gillies Foundation, to help children through difficult times.

Bruce Schanzer brings us back to World War II, as he describes his father's childhood, the journey from Belgium to "Free France," forged documents, refuge in a castle, the help and generosity of the French Underground, and finally, to life in America.

Patrice Derrington combines business, architecture, real estate, and education in support of numerous projects, including VP of the Lower Manhattan Development Corp, after 9/11. An author, Derrington studies challenges to people without stable shelter.

Discussing his family's musical ability, Dr. Steven Frucht relied on family tales of generations of musicians, blessing him with perfect pitch. Piano, violin, Tanglewood, Leonard Bernstein or science and Harvard Medical School - which route to follow.

Peter Lewis-Wharton undergrad Columbia Business School-had many choices: investment banking, tax accounting, or business. His enhanced business experience led to real estate and the expansion of his firm's reach across various asset classes and strategies

In the 1800's, two families leave Poland for England. Their children, who met as toddlers in Manchester Jewish School, marry, beginning Alison Gross' family history. Today, Gross provides innovative approaches to major companies for long-term growth.

His tenacity and some luck have helped Alan Dern overcome personal misfortune and business set-backs. With his family and friends, Dern has developed businesses supporting industries requiring commercial space, storage, manufacturing and office space.

Gordon Crane, self-described as a "hippie, a flower child," reminds us that the 60s-70s was a difficult time to plan one's future. Encouraged to own his business, Crane, with family, created the Apple & Eve juices available in all supermarkets, today.

Debra Tantleff describes her childhood, education, current work in an unlikely profession for women. Named in NJ's Top 40 Real Estate Executives, Tantleff name "remarkable women" in her life and her path to open a certified Women's Business Enterprise

Talking about his family's history: tailor/laborer grandparents; college graduate/teacher parents-committed to education, James O'Neal describes the not-for-profit organization, Legal Outreach, helping young people into college, law schools and careers

John Usdan describes his grandfather, Samuel Lemberg, as "humble, self-effacing, down-to-earth" a believer in giving-back, as the family is today, to philanthropy. Usdan discusses the growth of his grandfather's company that he has managed since 1981

Alexis Sewell tells a great story-a NY/American talk-about her immigrant family, Greek and Italian, their talents and contribution to America's history. Sewell discusses the Settlement Housing Fund, building affordable housing with strong communities.

With undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, James Simmons learns he needs another degree - this time an MBA. Medicine, law, engineering were accessible to minorities, Simmons says, Wall St., finance, real estate were still unknown. Part 2.

James H. Simmons III, describes the support he experienced throughout his life and career from a loving family, from educators and colleagues, leading to his success in engineering and in real estate, as founder and CEO of Asland Capital Partners. Pt. 1.

Child of immigrant parents, he made his parents cry when he dropped ot of college, the man who "wanted to be a success, entrepreneur/innovator John Catsimatidis discusses real estate, supermarkets, radio stations, oil companies and running for NY's Mayor.

Robert P. Weisz has served as President & Chief Exec. Officer of RPW Group, Inc. since he founded it in 1980. Andrew Weisz is an Executive V.P. of RPW Group and is responsible for directing the firm’s real estate investment and leasing activities.

Born in Israel, Ofer Cohen, founder-head of TerraCRG tells us why he chose Brooklyn! A member of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Navy Yard, co-chair of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, host of HeyBK, a podcast - Cohen is a devoted Brooklynite!

Activist. author, philanthropist, known for the motto - "an educated consumer is our best customer" - Marcy Syms, former CEO of Syms Corp and president of the Syms Foundation talks about working in a family business and succeeding as an entrepreneur.

Robert Nelson, President of Nelson Management Group, credits his father, Daniel - in the business - recalling dinners, his dad talking "shop," for his own career in real estate. Nelson likes being "a half-hour away" from properties, and invests in NYC

Kalmon Dolgin Affilliates opened as a brokerage business in 1904. Founded by great grand father, the business continues to be run by the family-fourth generation cousins, Joshua and Grant Dolgin. Their fathers discuss how to maintain a family business

A neighbor invited Marlene Post, parent, registered nurse to a meeting of Hadassah. The rest is history! And a long list of dedicated service follows: National and International President of Hadassah, UJA, JCRC board member, Chair of Birthright, and more.

Hemali Phatnani, PhD is Director of the Center for Genomics of Neurodegenerative Disease at the New York Genome Center studying ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases. An ardent Perry Mason fan, Dr. Phatnani is motivated to search out solutions.

Robert Knakal, chairman of New York Investment Sales at JLL. formerly co-founder with partner Paul Massey of Massey Knakal Reality Advisors, street hockey player, UPenn baseball-pitcher, ice hockey enthusiast, deal maker talks about his career.

Son of a US diplomat, Marc Murphy's childhood was a rollercoaster of countries and schools. An undiagnosed learning disability made education difficult. Murphy's passion for food and love of cooking became his pathway to success.

A goal of The Richman Group is to be "best in class in all sectors in which it participates," and Richard Richman, founder and chairman, guides the company in innovative development - in affordable and luxury housing and financial endeavors.

Brian C. Halpern, MD is the first nonsurgical, fellowship-trained and board certified sports medicine physician at HSS. Dr. Halpern discusses the use of PRP in his practice. Dr. Halpern is also an Emmy Award winner for "Vietnam: Long Time Coming."

Lisa Lehr describes her meeting and marriage to David Lehr, MD, physician, scientist, former Dept of Pharmacology chair at NY Medical College with love and affection. Ms. Lehr is a community activist; a ranking officer in the NYPD Auxiliary Police Force.

BankUnited President and CEO, Thomas Cornish was abandoned when he was 2 1/2. Circumstances prevented his adoption; his mom-to-be packed up, beginning multi-city bus trips, ending in Miami. After poverty, anger - education, opportunity and, giving back.

Suzanne Denbo Jaffe takes us from Washington DC, U Penn/NYU, to NYC and her distinguished careers in finance and government. Ms. Jaffe served on corporate and advisory boards and as president of the Women's Forum and the American Jewish Committee.

Brothers, Larry and Brad, representing Korman Communities, guide us through their family's history in real estate: back four generations to Russia, forward to their pioneering of the furnished apartment concept, and the development of AKA and AVE brands.

Joseph Gromek's career took him to establishments know for luxury and high fashion: Lord & Taylor, Bonwit Teller, Saks, Brooks Brothers, useful when as Trustee and Board Chair of The New School, he was able to connect grads to professional opportunities.