Women that build Podcast

From Block to Ballot: Ramses Frias on Taking Back NYC & Reviving Small Businesses

Preet Kershaw Season 1 Episode 3

In this episode, host Preet Kershaw, joined by Andrew Saviolis, sits down with Ramses Frias, candidate for District 25 City Council, to discuss the ongoing issues affecting Queens — from illegal vending and the decline of small businesses to crime, drugs, and how the community can take back control through civic participation.

We cover:

  • Illegal street vending and its impact on local storefronts

  • Why small businesses in Elmhurst & Jackson Heights are shutting down

  • How city agencies have failed to enforce basic quality-of-life protections

  • The role of city boards and how residents can influence decisions

  • Education and real resources for first-time business owners

  • Why local voting matters more than ever


If you live in Queens or care about the future of NYC neighborhoods, this is a must-listen conversation. Let’s hold our city accountable — together.