Bushwick Notebook Issue 2 by Bushwick Notebook

SUBJECTS Neighbors

Kweighbaye Kotee Behind the Scenes of Bushwick Film Festival by Cody Gohl p. X

Comic

Neighbors

Why Does This Art Gallery Smell Like Farts? by Jeremy Nguyen p. X

Bushwick Hangout with Lea DeLaria by Dallas Athent p. X

Sex & Dating

Bushwick Before

Love & Lust in Bushwick by Michelle Suconick p. X

Entrepreneurship Made with Care by Brielle Schiavone p. X

Life + Style

The Loves Behind the Love Shack by Dallas Athent p. X

Growing Up in Bushwick by Danielle DeJesus as told to Katarina Hybenova p. X

Eats

Food for the Latest of Nights by Dimitri Manousakis p. X

Poetry

Crossing Waters by Mariela Regalado p. X

On the cover is Kweighbaye Kotee photographed by Alonzo Maciel. Kweighbaye is wearing a dress from Kim Mesches (kimmesches.com); earrings from Patricia Field (patriciafield.com); and a bone body chain by AnnaLiisa Ariosa足Benston (@famousonmars). 4

EDITOR’S LETTER

Dearest Bushwick! As the air turns crisp and the sunlight gains new levels of saturation, I like to walk endlessly through the streets of our neighborhood. The fall atmosphere is so dense that you could slice it up like a piece of delicious pie, and you know that the world has once again matured into the new season,leaving behind the pale days of summer.

MASTHEAD Issue 2 / Fall 2015 Show us how you read your Notebook #BushwickNotebook

I will never take fall for granted. Having grown up in Central Europe, our falls usually consisted of a long line of rainy, muddy, windy days. It was only in my dreams that I saw the New York falls of long sunny days and colorful foliage.

For your daily dose of Bushwick, check out BushwickDaily.com. Follow us at Facebook.com/bushwickdaily and @bushwickdaily on Twitter and Instagram. Email us at bushwickdaily@gmail.com and if you have an advertising inquiry at ken@ bushwickdaily.com.

Publishers Katarina Hybenova Ken Kocses Editor- in-Chief Katarina Hybenova (tw + ig: @kamelka) Managing Editor, Copy Editor Wesley Salazar (tw: @weslikesnipes) Photo Editor Alonzo Maciel (ig: photozo) Poetry Editor Modesto ‘Flako’ Jimenez (tw + ig: @brooklyngypsies ) Design Brandt Imhoff (ig: philipbrandtimhoff) Luke Cloran (ig: lukecloran)

In Bushwick we traditionally begin our fall with the annual Bushwick Film Festival. This year, for the ninth time, the festival has outgrown the physical as well as psychic borders of Bushwick. One woman who has seen the festival through year after year graces our cover. Read about Kweighbaye Kotee, an inspirational entrepreneur and a role model, in a story by Cody Gohl (p. X). We styled Kweighbaye in clothes and accessories of (primarily) Bushwick designers while photographer Alonzo Maciel captured her in all her glamour. Illustrations Jeremy Nguyen (tw + ig: @jeremywins) Ad Sales Ken Kocses Writers Cody Gohl Dallas Athent (tw + ig: @chixonthehud) Michelle Suconick (tw + ig: @suconick) Brielle Schiavone (tw + ig: @briellesquared) Dimitri Manousakis (tw: @itsgreektoyou ig:@dimjay) Katarina Hybenova Mariela Regalado (tw + ig: @maryellaregal) Photographers Alonzo Maciel Gustavo Ponce (ig: @_gusponce) Angela Altus (ig: @angela_altus) Alexander Love Katarina Hybenova Danielle DeJesus (ig: @danielledejesus1)

Michelle Suconick was curious about Bushwick’s love life (and so were the rest of us), so we decided to poll you, dear readers, about your most intimate whereabouts. Yes, dive shamelessly into “Love & Lust,” (p. X). Oh and did you know that Orange Is the New Black actress Lea DeLaria lives and hangs in Bushwick? Find out her favorite dining spot as well as what was the strangest thing to ever happen to her in this neighborhood. I truly hope you enjoy the new season with Bushwick Notebook in your hand. Show us your favorite fall spots to read it by adding a #BushwickNotebook hashtag to your social media posts. Wishing you love and fall light, Katarina editor-in-chief

NEIGHBORS

NEIGHBORS I type Kweighbaye Kotee’s username into Skype and press call. It rings for a few moments. I check to make sure my voice recorder is on. I look over my notes: scribblings of her favorite quotes, some dates and figures, writings other people have done about her work with the Bushwick Film Festival. She’s an impressive fixture in the Bushwick arts scene, so I’m anxious to speak with her, fiddling with my hands and my computer’s volume button.

Behind the Scenes of

Bushwick Film FEstivAl Since 2007 Kweighbaye Kotee has been organizing annual Bushwick Film Festival. In 2015 the festival reaches new level and gains well-deserved recognition in Brooklyn. By Cody Gohl Photographs by Alonzo Maciel

#CEO Kweighbaye is wearing a black blazer by Kim Mesches (kimmesches.com); latex black bodysuit by Tableaux Vivants (tableauxvivantsdesign.com); her necklace, shoes and skirt are from Patricia Field (patriciafield.com).

When she finally picks up, any worries I might have had dissipate into the wireless ether. She’s got some serious sunshine in her voice, and it pours through my speakers. Her laugh is warm and she offers it generously as she explains why she’s calling from Berlin. “My boyfriend lives here, so I came for a family reunion,” she starts. “Berlin is such an exciting city. I’m sure that most people who love Bushwick would love it here, too.” We exchange a few Berlin stories and chat about the summer heat before getting into the real meat of our conversation, the preparations for the upcoming Bushwick Film Festival. The Bushwick Film Festival, which got its start eight years ago in 2007, is an annual film festival that brings a diverse selection of domestic and international indie films and new media projects to the Bushwick community. This year, the festival will have twelve feature film screenings and fifteen short film screenings, along with dozens of panels, events, parties, and workshops. “Yeah. It’s insane right now, but things are going well. Every year it gets smoother because we’re always learning from our past mistakes, which have been plenty,” she confides with a laugh. “But, it’s shaping up nicely and a really cool thing is that the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office has gotten involved this year, so we’ll have our filmmaker welcoming ceremony there in August. The Borough President is going to speak on behalf of Brooklyn and talk about how film festivals help to revitalize communities.”

“For the first time, Brooklyn is really taking us seriously as a cultural institution...” 4

NEIGHBORS

Bushwick red carpet moments Red carpet occasions require a silver sequin jumpsuit from David Dalrymple (daviddalrymple.com); earrings from AnnaLiisa Ariosa-Benston (@famousonmars); and a rhinestone cuff from Patricia Field (patriciafield.com).

NEIGHBORS Kweighbaye acknowledges that this is a big moment in the BFF’s history: “For the first time, Brooklyn is really taking us seriously as a cultural institution, which is amazing.” When asked if she could have anticipated that when she first started the festival, she admits that she “didn’t have a clear vision of where it was going. But with every step, every year that it grows, you do get this feeling of ‘Oh duh... it makes sense.’ If you put in the time and commitment, clearly it’s going to develop into something meaningful.” Our conversation, then, tumbled into one of how filmmakers and artists gain credibility in traditionally underserved communities. “If you want to tell a story about a community that you’re not a part of and you do it in a week... it’s almost impossible to stay true to the actual story. It requires a lot of due diligence and a lot of work to build relationships with the people whose stories you want to share.” “For example, right now...the festival is shooting a documentary called the Bushwick Diaries and I didn’t even start shooting it until I lived in Bushwick for eight years, so a lot of the people that are in the documentary, I’ve seen and lived with over the course of years. It’s all about making sure that their story is the most important part of the project and not any ulterior motives.” Kweighbaye’s own story begins in East Orange, New Jersey, the first place she and her family lived after moving from West Africa. “My earliest memories are of living in East Orange and going to Catholic school and spending a lot of really happy times with my four sisters and two brothers. My brothers were really into Michael Jackson, so there was always a lot of performing and singing and dancing going on.” She also remembers the transformative experience of going to her first movie. “I remember going to the movies for the first time...my parents didn’t take me but my neighborhood friend took me who lived on top of a hill and had a lot more resources than other people I knew...and I remember going into the movie theater and being like… ’Holy shit! I had no idea that this existed in the world…’”

“The driving force in my life, is to help underserved communities and voices find a way towards self-love.” Even now, she speaks of this experience with wonder in her voice. There’s a magic that catches in her storytelling, and it’s easy to imagine the wideness of her eyes at taking it all in for the first time: “I had no idea that there was a place that people went to where they watched things on big screens and like...had all this popcorn and candy and I remember having that feeling of like ‘Oh, there’s more…there’s something else.’” It’s no surprise then that her work is geared towards sharing that “something else” with others. “Starting the festival, I knew it was something that could have an impact and help to change a community. [I wanted to] provide a platform for women of color and the immigrant population in particular, because I’m also an immigrant.” “When I realized that a lot of things were possible,” she continues, “I was amazed at the point in my life when I didn’t think they were possible, when I wasn’t even aware of the possibilities.” Aside from the obvious work the festival does make it possible for people to experience raw, honest, and self-reflective storytelling, the Bushwick Film Festival engages further with the community with its Youth Film Program and Media Literacy for Local Residents and Businesses Program. As Kweighbaye so simply puts it near the end of our conversation, “The driving force in my life, is to help underserved communities and voices find a way towards self-love.” A lofty goal, but one that seems to sit squarely and securely on her more than steady shoulders. Bushwick Film Festival takes place on October 1 through 4, 2015. Tickets and more info at bushwickfilmfestival.com. Stylist: Rosey Vaughan; Stylist’s Assistant: Loris Jones-Randolph; Hair & Makeup: Kavita Kaul; Photo Assistant: Daniel Disipio; Production Assistant: Brielle Schiavone

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NEIGHBORS

H A k n g c i o u w t h s Bu with

D eLAria A E L

Orange Is the New Black star and Bushwick resident Lea DeLaria recently launched her new album comprised of David Bowie jazz covers titled House of David: delaria + bowie = jazz. The album is a wild-ride jazz reimagination of some of Bowie’s best songs, including “Golden Years” and “Young Americans.” How she was able to pull off a tribute to the greatest rock and roll star of all time after making us all crack up in Season 3 of Orange Is the New Black is beyond us. But when Lea is not playing a role or an instrument, she’s hanging out in her neighborhood of Bushwick. In an interview with us, she shared some of her favorite local spots.

Where’s your favorite place to chill outdoors?

Where’s your favorite place to go on a date?

Outdoors? In BUSHWICK? Either under elevated track of the M/J line or the outdoor patio at Mominette.

My other idea of heaven in a bar, Pumps. Oh yeah.

Where do you like to nom on some food? There’s a new joint called Faro that I am digging a lot.

What’s the weirdest thing that has happened to you in Bushwick? Well, that would have to be when a young woman came running out of True Hardware, on the corner of my street, begging me to sign her screwdriver.

Where do you like to grab a drink? Three Diamond Door. No contest. They have an unbelievable jukebox, which is free. There’s also a great outdoor patio if you like to smoke or just be outside. Dogs are welcome there and all the bartenders have a really heavy pour. Now that’s my idea of heaven in a bar.

Where’s your favorite place to see music? Honestly I’m always working so I haven’t had much time to go to many shows. What I do like is how many venues are popping up all over Bushwick. We could use some real jazz though, instead of all this crappy Dixie/Trad music. Just saying.

What’s the best and worst thing about living in the neighborhood? The best and worst thing about my neighborhood are one in the same. I love the life and people and that crazy sense of constant party that happens on Knickerbocker Avenue. I also sometimes tire of the noise.

Lea’s album, House of David: bowie + delaria = jazz, is available on iTunes and Amazon.

by Dallas Athent

Illustration by Jeremy Nguyen

SEX & DATING

Our sex poll says....

LoVE And Lust in Bushwick

We polled 169 of you, beautiful peoples of Bushwick, to find out everything about your secret dating lives. We asked you about the best spots to find a hookup, go on a first date and then, uh, break up. The most popular responses for each category are below. (Sorry in advance for blowing up your spot.)

By Michelle Suconick Photographs by Gustavo Ponce & Angela Altus

Bushwick’s Best Hookup Spots 1. Tandem 2. The Johnson’s 3. Bossa Nova Civic Club 4. 3 Diamond Door 5. Pearl and Billy’s Social Club 6. Lone Wolf 7. Bizarre 8. Alaska 9. Cain’s [RIP] 10. Hana Foods

Roughly 15% of respondents had no idea where to pick up a hookup. Several responses were variations of “I wish I knew.” We feel for you. Grabbing 17% of total responses, Tandem is the reigning king of the Bushwick hookup scene. Be warned slash you’re welcome. Surprisingly, Hana Foods made the hookup list. Yes, 3% of respondents said this is the spot to prowl. Picking up that 4 a.m. sandwich has never been sexier. About 14% of y’all were all “eff a hookup spot, use a dating app.”

SEX & DATING

Bushwick and its relationship stAtus

Bushwick’s Go -To First Date Spots 1. Mominette 2. Northeast Kingdom

Dating (15%)

3. Heavy Woods

In a Relationship (29%)

4. Tutu’s

Tinder from the other side of the bar We chatted with some awesome Bushwick bartenders to find out what they really think of your Tinder date.

Married (8%)

5. Dear Bushwick

Single (48%)

6. Left Hand Path 7. Pearl and Billy’s Social Club 8. The Narrows

Bushwick and its Age

9. Roberta’s 10. Montana’s Trail House

18-24 (24%) 25-34 (64%)

At 12%, Mominette leads the first date category, shocking no one that cute French bars are good for first dates. Pro t ip: Go on a Monday night for $1 oysters.

About 2% of you jokesters submitted “my bed” -- funny the first three times....

35-44 (10%) over 45 (2%)

Bushwick’s Prime Break up Spots 1. Maria Hernandez Park 2. On the street

How Much Does Bushwick Really F....

3. On the L Train 4. The Narrows

19% of Bushwickians claim to have sex over 15 times per month

5. Kávé 6. Little Skips

10 is the median number of times Bushwickians say they have sex per month

7. Lone Wolf 8. The Rookery

2 dates is the most popular answer (33%) for how many dates you’ll go on before you sleep with someone

9. Los Hermanos 10. Pine Box Rock Shop

According to 11% of respondents, the best place to break up is “Texting.” Since, uh, that’s not a place, it didn’t make our list but good to know that for many of you, when it’s over—you out.

Basically, Maria Hernandez Park should be called Breakup Park: 25% of respondents (!!!) come here to break up. A surprisingly high 4% of you associate Los Hermanos Taco Factory as the perfect spot to break up. Cry sweet tears into your tacos, kids.

9% of people go on 4 or more dates before sleeping with someone 49% of those single or dating have sex with 1 stranger per month 7% of those single or dating have sex with over 7 strangers a month on average

“I once overheard a guy say that he likes to put less attractive photos of himself on Tinder so when girls meet him they’ll find him more attractive. And a lot of guys, even gay couples, they wanna pretend they’re ballin’ when they order drinks, but then they don’t tip like they’re ballin’.” — Josh, bartender at The Rookery “A funny thing about Tinder dates here is people order things to be all cool like, ‘Bulleit rye neat,’ and the way they say it, like clearly they’re just doing it to impress women—please don’t order it like that. Personally, I think it’d be cooler if you just order a Coors Lite.” — Nameless bartender at Three Diamond Door “When girls come in here sometimes they’ll say, ‘I’m on a Tinder date, this guy might be a freak’ and then ask what I think about the guy. I always say something like, ‘You swiped him, you know more than me.’” —Charles, bartender at Matt Torrey’s “I’ve seen many Tinder dates go down. You can tell because people seem friendly and then say something like, ‘Oh, nice to meet you.’ Like, I’d never go the bar to meet some girl I’ve talked to before, I go to bars to meet girls I’ve never met before.” —Kahim, bartender at Left Hand Path

The Circle of Dating Life in Bushwick Say you’re single and just looking to hookup, or secretly trying to find a place to break up with your bae, Bushwick’s got your back. Here are a few of our fave spots—no matter what stage you are in your dating life.

Talk boobs on a first date...

Boobie Trap 308 Bleecker St Boobs being literally everywhere in this campy bar can spark up some interesting convo for a different take on a first date spot for the chill enough guy or gal. Trade convos about what sports you played in high school (barf) while coloring in the provided boob coloring books. All about making that first impression memorable!

Meet- the- friends over burritos and punk music

Don Pedro 90 Manhattan Ave A punk bar with the best burrito that will ever hit your lips (not exaggerating even a little). Ample space, even on a Friday or Saturday night, make Don Pedro a great spot to meet your SO’s friends. And hey, if they suck—at least you’ll be well fed.

Break up in Northern Italy... Hook up with hot, artsy people

Tandem 236 Troutman St Come for the weekend DJ dance parties and leave with a new friend. Easily one of the best hookup spots in Bushwick if you’re into the weird artsy crowd (which, duh you are).

Fitzcarraldo 195 Morgan Ave If you can find it tucked away inside the Livestream building, Fitzcarraldo makes you feel like you’ve been transported out of Bushwick and into Northern Italy. The middle-of-nowhere location is perfect for breakups—you can get into the nittygritty of your failed relationship while walking the quiet surrounding streets and digesting some of the best Italian food you’ve ever ate.

Skip brunch the morning after...

Matt Torrey’s 46 Bushwick Ave Screw brunch, that crap is for couples. This gem has free bagels (with literally all the fixin’s) and $4 mimosas and bloodies every weekend. The huge open windows and tin ceilings make this place feel fancy, but a tab under ten dollars won’t. Your wallet and your hookup will love this place. 16

Fly solo for the night...

Duckduck 161 Montrose Ave On those nights you just wanna have a beer (or four) on your own and spark up casual convos with those around you without it being a “thing”—this bar is for you. Free cheeseballs before 8 p.m. are an added perk at this auto-garage-turned-bar. 17

BUSHWICK BEFORE

Growing UP in

Bushwick by Danielle DeJesus as told to Katarina Hybenova Photographs by Danielle DeJesus

I was conceived during a one-night stand on Wilson Avenue between George and Noll Streets. Now there is a café in that building but it used to be a Botanica. My mom was 42 and my dad was 25. They were going to hang out with friends and smoke some weed but the friends never showed up. When my mom found out she was pregnant, my dad told her: “You can keep it if you want to but don’t count on me. You know who I am. I am not going to be able to be here.” My mom was like, “I’m 42, I’m not married; I’m not with anybody; I’m going to keep it.” And here I am! They were going to name me “Ruby” because the couch was red! My dad has really never been around — he’s a convicted felon and a drug addict but the family from his side has been really really close to me. I learned Spanish from my grandma from my dad’s side. Many Nuyoricans don’t even speak Spanish.

“We played in the middle of the ghetto until 11 p.m. as seven- and eight-year-olds. Nothing ever happened to us. We were never kidnapped, raped, or shot. It was our everyday life.” Growing up, little kids from the neighborhood and I were always outside, playing in the yards, running around the streets. There used to be an empty lot on Knickerbocker—now there is a house – full of gutted abandoned cars, old mattresses, garbage, and furniture people didn’t want. I was the only girl in a group of guys. We climbed into one of the cars and played that I’m the mother of the kids and one boy was the father. He’s now a drug dealer. I put my feet on the dashboard in the passenger seat and he asked: “So where are we going to drive today?” Then we would stack the mattresses on top of each other, climb the car and jump down. Those mattresses probably came from a crack house or were full of bed bugs and shit but we didn’t think about that. After dark, drug dealers

would meet there and be like, “Alright, kids, time to go.” We knew the drug dealers, they were familiar, and so we were not scared but we listened. We didn’t have to come home for dinner at seven o’clock or anything like that. We played in the middle of the ghetto until 11 p.m. as seven- and eight-year-olds. Nothing ever happened to us. We were never kidnapped, raped, or shot. It was our everyday life.

“In high school, we went for a field trip to Rikers Island. They told us not to wear any gang colors like red or blue, and not to wear any bandanas or Jordan sneakers -- they could rob us there.” When I was in high school, all the kids went in different directions. Some became drug dealers, girls got pregnant... Once we went for a field trip to Rikers Island. My memories of that place are so vivid I could smell them, but I’ll spare you the details. They told us not to wear any gang colors for the trip like red or blue, and not to wear any bandanas or Jordan sneakers -- they would rob you there. They showed us weapons the prisoners made from wire hangers sharpened on one side. I went to visit my dad in prison with my grandma and my aunt when I was 12. All the visiting families were standing behind big metal bars all squeezed together, the prisoners on the other side, and when they opened people were so happy, showing babies, hugging, crying... And then my father came out; he looked so different, real tough, real hard. But he is also a really good magician. Police in prison would give him extra privileges because he would do really cool magic tricks for the inmates. He’s extremely talented. My artistic talents I got from him. So I’m like, “Thank you for this brain, Dad.” I think I’ll make a documentary about him one day.

“Police in prison would give my dad extra privileges because he would do really cool magic tricks for the inmates.”

BUSHWICK BEFORE

Do you know where The Bushwick Collective has their Block Party on St. Nicholas and Cypress? There used to be a big sweater factory. Nobody but immigrants worked there—mostly Latinos, Russians and Polish. My mom used to work there. I used to go there with her every morning at six o’clock; she would let me sleep on a stack of fabrics until it was time to go to school. I remember the musty smell and the drone sound of machines that was putting me to sleep. My mom would to give me the crayons they used for fabric marking so that I could draw but it only came in four colors: yellow, red, blue and white, so my palette was limited. The factory closed when I was in high school, about 14 years old. I remember that that year was really hard and my mom bought me really ugly clothes and sneakers. I told her: “I can’t believe you’re going to send me to school like this.” That’s when I got my first job and I haven’t stopped working since.

BUSHWICK BEFORE

“I applied to all of the New York City high schools with an art program but I didn’t have anyone to tell me: ‘This is what you need for a portfolio,’ nobody to push me and motivate me. Every single school rejected me.” I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember. When I was little I used to draw Puerto Rican flags, and when I was in high school I realized I wanted to be an artist. I applied to all of the New York City high schools with an art program but I didn’t have anyone to tell me: “This is what you need for a portfolio,” nobody to push me and motivate me. Every single school rejected me. According to my friend and me I drew well, but that was all I got. My grades weren’t great either. I was always a teacher’s pet, and they would pass me because they liked me but the subjects would never stick. The only

things that always stuck were sports and art. Eventually, I got accepted into Washington Irving’s art program in the City, but they didn’t even require a portfolio, they just accepted everybody because it was one of New York’s worst high schools. After all this rejection, it was really hard for me to get back to drawing. In my first year I drew because we had to, but my heart wasn’t there. In the tenth grade I picked up a camera instead. The school had this beautiful darkroom that nobody was using, so I was like, “I want to learn everything! Printing, developing film, everything.”

“I failed some classes because I never made it to the first period. There was a huge line for a metal detector and 13 stories in the school building you had to climb up.” I didn’t apply for college. I didn’t really care what I was going to do. But I met a guy who was an inspiration to me. He went to Hofstra University and I suddenly felt like, “What am I doing with my life?” We broke up but I have to admit he really changed my life. I mean it was my own work but he gave me the drive. I applied to FIT for photography but didn’t get in. Next year, I applied again and got rejected again. So I went to a community college for

a year, brought my GPA up, and then applied to FIT again. Guess what? I got rejected again. However, I met my mentor who told me to take a couple of classes at FIT, pay for them out of pocket and that spring I was finally accepted! About seven years ago while at FIT I began photographing my neighborhood. I didn’t want to show it to anybody at school because everybody was middle class, nobody was poor like me. I didn’t want them to know I was from Bushwick. I would just say, “I’m from Brooklyn.” Bushwick was slowly changing but it it still had a bad reputation. In my junior year of college I finally showed it at a class portfolio review. One of the professors really liked it and encouraged me to continue. I’ve been working on my Bushwick project until today. I’ll always be coming back to Bushwick, even though I moved to Elmhurst. Now I have an apartment and a studio. In Bushwick there’s no way I’d be able to afford both. Now I sort of understand why all those people came to Bushwick in the first place... I used to be so angry about it. Danielle DeJesus was born at Woodhull Medical Center in 1987. In March this year, she had a solo exhibition at The Living Gallery in Bushwick titled “Made in Bushwick”; in June she was invited to paint at The Bushwick Collective. She currently lives in Queens working in photography, painting, as well as her specialty—Etch A Sketch. Follow her work at danielledejesus.com and at Instagram @danielledejesus1

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MAdE With CAre A Q&A with Bushwick’s ExtrAordinAry Entrepreneurs By Brielle Schiavone Photographs by Alonzo Maciel

With hard work and determination, anything is possible—even opening that Bushwick business you dream about. We interviewed the most eclectic group of Bushwick entrepreneurs to share their insight and inspire you to put that idea to paper.

Marshall Thompson and Eric Feldman of Braven Brewing Company Braven Brewing Company was founded in 2013 and has already made their mark on the craft beer scene with their outof t he ordinary brews. Since launching in January 2015, Braven’s beers have been sold in over 500 accounts all across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland, and Dutchess counties. When was the moment you realized this switched over from a hobby to a career? Marshall: We’ve known each other for 16 years, both moved to New York and were looking for a hobby. We had a great time brewing with a brown ale kit and kept doing it. I created a business plan and eventually told Eric, “You have to do this with me.”

Name one habit that helped you become a successful business owner. Eric: No offswitch, I work until I fall over [laughs]. You need that drive, you can’t stop. How did you develop key retailers for your products? Marshall: A lot of them we knew just being in the neighborhood; I’ve been living in Bushwick for three years. We’ve had a great time working with our distributors also. They’ve had faith in us since the beginning. What did you wish you knew prior to starting your business? Eric: You need to realize that nothing is going to be perfect and it’s okay. Take a breath, have a pint. You’ll be fine. What surprised you most about owning a business? Marshall: I’m surprised how well Eric and I work together. It’s tough to find a business partner you can put trust and faith in.

What is an unexpected issue that arose while creating the company? Eric: It was our first big batch of the White IPA—going from 5 gallons to 6,200 gallons. We took a sip and it was undrinkable. We corrected the spices, but it was very scary because we didn’t have the funds if we had to recover.

When things get tough, the Braven owners recommend taking a breath, drinking a pint and taking a look again. Things may not be as bad as they seem.

What is a recommended method to keep customers coming back? Eric: Unique, compelling brews. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Marshall: Don’t be afraid to talk about your idea. It’s scary to put yourself out there, but you don’t know who you’re going to meet to help put your plan out there. When you’re open, things just line up sometimes. 25

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MixedMade did a 30-day experiment. If they could make back the money invested, they knew they had a viable business at hand.

Casey Elsass of MixedMade MixedMade was founded in 2014 and is known for their Bees Knees Spicy Honey and Trees Knees Spicy Syrup. Both are handmade, chili-infused and contribute fantastically to a variety of food and drink. The two can be found in over 250 stores nationally and at MixedMade.com. When was the moment you realized this switched over from a hobby to a career? We did a 30-day experiment, investing our own money to see if we could get it back. Seems crazy, but it’s not as impossible as you think. You don’t have time to sit on things or make excuses. Name one habit that helped you become a successful business owner. Keeping a list of the most important things I’ve accomplished over the last year. Things are going to go wrong, but you need to remember you’ve done spectacular things. How did you develop key retailers for your products? We approached Whole Foods right away, because it would be a cornerstone of the business. 26

What do you wish you knew prior to starting your business? If I could go back in time I wouldn’t change a thing. I think if I had known everything about business, I’d still make mistakes. What has surprised you the most about owning a business? The misconception that when you work for yourself, you don’t have a boss anymore. It becomes more external than internal. What is an unexpected issue that arose when creating the company? We were not prepared for the first holiday. A week before Christmas, we had 6,000 bottles to fill, pack and ship. But ... we did it! What is a recommended method to keep customers coming back? Pretty airtight customer service—being honest with them at all times. Even when things go wrong, always give them personal attention. Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Go for it. It’s a lot of work, way more than you think it is. If it’s what you want to do, you never know what’s going to happen.

Anit Hora of Mullein & Sparrow Mullein & Sparrow was founded in 2012 and provides 100% natural, fully plant-based beauty and health products. All goods are handmade in small batches. They are sold in boutiques all over the U.S., Australia, Ireland, and France (coming soon to India). When was the moment you realized this switched over from a hobby to a career? I knew I wanted it to be a career right away, so I hired my first freelancer. It can be easy for anyone to slack off when it’s just them, but it’s much harder when you are responsible for someone else’s livelihood. Name one habit that helped you become a successful business owner. Perseverance. There are a lot of ups and downs. You just have to keep going and stay true to your vision. How did you develop key retailers for your products? We were lucky that stores started approaching us. We want our relationships with stores to be genuine, so we don’t aggressively pursue retailers. 27

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

When Anit hired her first freelancer, she knew she couldn’t slack off. She was responsible for someone’s livelihood.

What did you wish you knew prior to starting your business? How little sleep I was going to get! You are going to face a lot of challenges along the way, so you need thick skin. What surprised you most about owning a business? How rewarding it can be to have what you do be appreciated by so many people. It makes it all worth it to get an email from a happy customer. What is an unexpected issue that arose while creating the company? Insufficient funding. We had to find creative ways to fulfill large orders.

Carmen and Leticia grew up in Bushwick. In order to successfully run their businesses, they say they had to be very hands-on and learn absolutely everything.

Carmen Valerio and Leticia Castillo of Central CafE & OWL Juice Pub Central Café was founded in 2010 and offers a great breakfast and lunch selection for the Bushwick community. Their second location OWL Juice Pub, includes the same menu in addition to fresh juices and smoothies. The ladies recently launched foodandbeverage pairing evenings with Chef Brian Baskoff and a third Williamsburg cafe location is in the works! When was the moment you realized this business was born?

We really strive to have great customer service. We offer special deals to our repeat customers and like to send samples.

Leticia: We originally wanted to open a restaurant in Manhattan, but it was too expensive. We were shown this place that was meant for a coffee shop instead and Carmen’s soul was in it. We were both raised in Bushwick, so we wanted to bring something new to the neighborhood.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Name one habit that helped this business become successful?

The hardest thing to do is to start. You will face a lot of challenges, but once you decide what you want to do—just take the first step.

Leticia: Consistency. We learned how to do absolutely everything. We’re very hands on.

What is a recommended method to keep customers coming back?

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

What did you wish you knew prior to starting your business? Carmen: You just got to stay at it; you’ve got to be patient. Everything takes time to take off. What surprised you most about owning a business? Carmen: That it actually worked. After five years, we’re still here and things are great. What is an unexpected issue that arose while creating the company? Leticia: The contractors in general were inconsistent and unreliable. We try to have Carmen’s brothers help as much as possible instead. What is a recommended method to keep customers coming back? Leticia: Good customer service—we make sure every customer is greeted. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Carmen: Do it. Be prepared, it’s a lot of hard work. Love what you’re doing. Keep at it. You have to be hands-on, you need to know everything and be able to jump in. 29

EATS

Food for the LAtest of Your

Bushwick Nights By Dimitri Manousakis Photographs by Gustavo Ponce

It’s well known that when one sense is dialed down, all of your other senses heighten; it follows that the darker it gets outside, the better food tastes. In Bushwick, a variety of eateries blossom in the darkest times of the night. It happens after most businesses have shut their doors, Uber pricing is regular and people walk in zigzags back home. It’s when everyone who has served food is finally ready to eat, and when that beast inside your belly, late-night hunger, knocks. We explored the best food options—for those who equate the idea of an “early dinner” with a miracle—in a series of drunken, munchie-driven, and after-work nights. In a city that is known for its competitive restaurant industry and for never sleeping, after-hours meals are as exciting as their earlier counterparts. We found really cool restaurants with a great bar scene, bars with great food, as well as perennial diners in Bushwick. Let the nighttime food shenanigans begin.

ARCHIE’S

until 4 a.m. 128 Central Ave, Bushwick Owner Dimitri Blackstone-Karapanos says he has no fancy concept for Archie’s, and there aren’t really any strict modifiers to characterize its pizza. The central goal is to provide a nicely made pie with both classic and out-of-the-box ingredient options, along with ample bar space to lend it a gathering spot vibe. There are no specific hours to hang at Archie’s, because it’s always a good time to be there. Pizza is always baking and neighbors are always chilling at this local hangout. Start your night here, end it, or even carry it on with a slice of pizza or some meatballs in one hand, and a glass of ouzo in the other.

Garlic, Capers, Mushroom, Sausage, and Feta Pizza at Archie’s.

KING NOODLE

until 2 a.m. 1045 Flushing Ave, East Williamsburg King Noodle is a place that shines in the nighttime, literally and figuratively. Its neon lights and colorful lamps make it a pretty special place, transporting you to an underground, futuristic, and East Asian eatery, the kind you might find in Blade Runner. And the food is as flashy and transcendent. The rich green flat noodles have just the right amount of sauce and vegetables and the wings are nicely done and peppered up with a delightful sauce that gives them a fresh kick. King Noodle’s dishes are inspired by Korean street BBQ and it attracts a good late-night crowd of both drunk and sober late-night eaters.

Green Curry Flat Noodles, Crispy Chicken Wings, and the Pineapple Drink at King Noodle.

ALPHAVILLE

until 3 a.m. 140 Wilson Ave, Bushwick Alphaville is a loud bar, and its food doesn’t fall very far from the tree. The nachos aren’t just rocking, they’re punking; the American Burger with fries is as good as Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence” (which, of course, played at some point during our gin-heavy meal). The libations and food were gracefully supplied by Michelle Sour, the bartender for the evening. When we couldn’t decide on a topping for the nachos, she firmly directed us to the chicken. Under the influence of the ‘80s New Age songs and a couple rounds of gin and tonics, the meal came as a god-given gift on the pitch black bar. Luckily, a slight loss in motor skills didn’t affect our nacho consumption; the toppings are perfectly proportioned and evenly spread, making it a piece of cake for anyone. Even after five drinks.

Texas Nachos with chicken and an American Burger with fries at Alphaville.

EATS

TINA’S PLACE

from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1002 Flushing Ave, Bushwick There is nothing more classic than the quintessential American diner. The diner is omnipresent and its menu selection is impressively similar across the fifty states. Tina’s, which has been around for almost 47 years, doesn’t evade the archetype. It is the place to go after all other afterhour food places close. With 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours, Tina’s caters to people with very long nights and very early mornings. At this neighborhood staple, it’s quite common for people ending their evenings to cross paths with people starting their mornings, all connected by the love and the longing for classic and old-fashioned morning food. Snag some traditional eggs, waffles, apple pie, and the like, all under the invigorating and comforting sweet smell of bacon.

Eggs on a Waffle and an Apple Pie at Tina’s.

open 24 hours 2 Knickerbocker Ave, East Williamsburg There is a ‘50s RV parked outside, and the diner is filled with Archie comic strips and action figures. Nostalgia is what every bite brings at Amancay’s Diner. Dishes like mac-and -cheese and meatloaf rule the menu, which changes often but remains focused on comfort food, Amancay’s manager Leslie Johnson informed us. Amancay’s is the place that hospitality employees like to frequent in the late hours, according to Leslie. Bonus: The downstairs bar tops it all off with late-night happy hour specials and different events throughout the week.

Farm to fork, Mediterranean-influenced

159 Central Ave, bushwick

AMANCAY’S DINER

Mac & Cheese and a Meatloaf Sandwich at Amancay’s.

Beer, Cocktails, Snacks & Dinner

LIFE + STYLE

When Britta Love went to school in London in 2007, meeting the man she’d build a fantasyland with wasn’t on her mind. She was out one night at a party filled with fetishists, ravers and club kids when she was introduced to Alex Love. They hung out at another popular London club at the time called Heaven, where they shared their first kiss. After dating in London, Britta—a Flushing, Queens native—was set on returning to New York. She brought Alex with her and they began to build their dream of having a loft that could be used for sets. Bushwick seemed like the perfect place to showcase their creativity. “I knew if we could dream it, we could make it,” Alex said, and they started building The Love Shack right away. Having worked on film sets before, he took on the role of technical guru behind the construction, while Britta was the muse. She told us she liked lofts because they’re blank canvasses. “We knew there was a lot of loft space in Bushwick, so that’s how we ended up here.” The space is Marie Antoinette meets Alice in Wonderland meets Hollywood regency...and the combination is as inspiring and original as the Loves themselves.

“The space is Marie Antoinette meets Alice in Wonderland meets Hollywood regency...and the combination is as inspiring and original as the Loves themselves.”

A Look Inside Bushwick’s Most Fashionable Loft By Dallas Athent Photographs by Alexander Love

Britta and Alex Love, creators of the Love Shack.

Britta went to both the elementary and middle school that Fran Drescher attended and she cites that The Nanny was always an inspiration to her. “That’s why you’ll see leopard and color in my wardrobe,” she told us. And what a wardrobe she has. It’s vast, vibrant and shines with so many sparkles and sequins. The Love Shack includes an entire wall that has been turned into Britta’s closet, a rainbow of fabric lining the hall. Various visions of stripes, animal prints and beading splatter several dresses. It’s quite possible that Britta has the most expansive and exciting wardrobe in all of Bushwick, so of course we had to ask if we could do a photoshoot of her showing off her threads in their amazing space.

A juliet balcony from the bedroom overlooks the main living space.

LIFE + STYLE

“I get my clothes from all over,” Britta explained. She pulled out a wide array of purchases, from evening dresses she bought for $9 at Urban Jungle to jumpsuits that she snagged in Europe. Although she cites Fran Drescher as her main influence, there’s also something regal about Britta’s style. Many of her dresses have hand-embroidered beading and sheer overlays. The variety of clothing that she modeled for us reflects her ability to work different eras into her outfits. One knee-length dress with a peplum waist looked very 1940s, while another jumpsuit with vertical rainbow colored stripes was reminiscent of the 1970s.

LIFE + STYLE

Today, running and renting Love Shack isn’t all that Britta and Alex do. Britta is a lecturer and tarot card reader, using the Ryder-Waite deck. Her clients have described her as being “upfront and honest.” She’s also a member of Moon Church, a witchy organization with a strong sense of feminism. Alex still works on film sets and continues to photograph professionally. His skill as a photographer can be seen in the photos for this shoot. Every week they are working on new projects together. You can contact them for Love Shack rentals or other inquiries at lovetheloveshack.com.

Alex and Britta wanted it all, including a spiral staircase, which they were able to build.

Britta poses in her ‘70s jumpsuit in the Love Shack’s entry foyer.

The Loves’ friendly friendly cats roam the loft and are ready for photos.

BUSHWICK DISCOVERY MAP

ART SPACES 1 ART 3

109 Ingraham St ART 3 offers contemporary art by emerging and mid-career artists. With an online platform and a gallery space, ART 3 aims to be a dynamic place for the discovery of great new talent. Open W-Sa:12pm-6pm, Su:1pm-5pm (646) 331-3162 art-3gallery.com

2 Secret Project Robot

389 Melrose St Secret Project Robot is a non-profit, artist run space dedicated to making art fun and building communities through parties, art shows, music and performance pieces. See website for schedule secretprojectrobot.org

3 The Paper Box

17 Meadow St The Paper Box is an independent event space, home to a variety of local music performances and art exhibitions. Available for private events including weddings, corporate functions, and birthday parties.See website for schedule paperboxnyc.com

BARS & RESTAURANTS 4 Amancay’s Diner

2 Knickerbocker Ave Serving brunch, dinner and late night grub at Bushwick’s first 24/7 restaurant. Hosting live music, parties and private events downstairs in Max Cellar. Open 24/7 (718) 628-8860 amancaysdiner.com

BUSHWICK DISCOVERY MAP

5 Central Station

84 Central Ave Central Station is a neighborhood bar and restaurant serving great food with both new and classic cocktails. Late night menu and industry welcome scene. Open daily 5pm-2am (718) 483-9884 centralstationnyc.com

6 Champs Diner

197 Meserole St Champs Diner is a 100% vegan diner and bakery serving fresh and delicious breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches, coffee, juices and desserts 7 days a week. Come on by and say hi! Open daily 8am-Midnight (718) 599-2743 champsdiner.com

7 Divine Bar & Grill

896 Broadway Divine is an unassuming haven of familiar faces with a welcoming, unpretentious vibe. Complete with a pool table, backyard and bar grub. Divine is a place to lose track of time. Open daily 1pm-3am (718) 455-5455 divinebarbrooklyn.com

8 Industry 1332

1332 Halsey St Industry 1332 is a modern Latin restaurant that takes traditional recipes and turns them on their heads. All of their dishes are made to order and use only the freshest ingredients possible. Open M-Th:5pm-12am, F:5pm-2am, Sa:11am-3pm, 5pm-2am, Su:11am-3pm, 5pm-12am (718) 322-7984 industry1332.com

9 Left Hand Path

89 Wyckoff Ave Left Hand Path is the neighborhood bar for locals and newcomers. Come to relax in their expansive outdoor garden. Stay for cocktails, craft beers, delicious dumplings, and cozy hi-fi vintage audio. Open daily 12pm-4am (302) 750-9689 lefthandpathbk.com

10 Maite

159 Central Ave Maite is a farm-to-forkdriven restaurant with shareable plates and an emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Their food is heavily influenced by Basque, Mediterranean and Colombian cuisines. Open Tu:5pm-10pm, W-Sa:5pm-11pm, Su:5pm-10pm (718) 366-3090 maitebushwick.com

11 MILES

101 Wilson Ave MILES is Bushwick’s go-to cocktail bar for signature & classic cocktails, premium spirits, craft beer, wine, and eats including cheese and charcuterie, small plates, and grilled cheese sandwiches. M-Sa:6pm-2am, Su:4:30pm-2am (718) 483-9172 milesonwilson.com

12 Pine Box Rock Shop

12 Grattan St With 16 draft lines and a cask, Pine Box is Bushwick’s premiere craft beer bar. Enjoy local beer on their new outdoor patio. Live music, comedy, trivia or karaoke nightly. Open M-F:4pm-4am, Sa-Su:2pm-4am (718) 366-6311 pineboxrockshop.com

13 Pizza Party

254 Irving Ave Pizza Party is jam-packed with nostalgia, i.e. everything ‘80s! Besides all that fun, the Pizza in this Party comes from a 112-year-old gigantic coal fired oven. Two elements that you must experience for yourself! Open M-F: 4pm-2am, Sa: 11am-2am, Su:11am-Midnight (347) 787-7947 bushwickpizzaparty.com

14 The Shop Brooklyn 234 Starr St Bushwick’s barbecue joint serving up pit to plate barbecue in classic roadhouse style. Live music and entertainment 4 nights a week. Their motto is ‘Cook Slow Ride Fast’. Open daily 4pm-4am (917) 776-8872 theshopbrooklyn.com

COFFEESHOPS 15 Barcey’s

140 St. Nicholas Ave Barcey’s offers great espresso, brunch, lunch, and now has a dinner menu with an innovative Filipino and SE Asian flair. Come work on laptops, have lunch with coworkers, or dine with friends and family. Open M-Tu:8am-7pm, W-Su:8am-11pm (718) 484-8183 barceys.com

16 Central Cafe

108 Central Ave Kick back in Central Cafe’s beautiful garden for weekend brunch with friends, or just relax with a glass of wine, bellini or beer during daily happy hours. Open M-W: 7am-7pm, Th-F: 7am-9pm, Sa: 8am-9pm, Su: 9am-7pm (718) 497-3028

17 Fair Weather Bushwick

247 Wyckoff Ave Café & Wine Bar with a full menu of craft beers, wine & pairings. Signature sandwiches offered during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Weekend brunch, happy hour, music and events throughout the year. Open M-F: 7:30am-9pm, Sa-Su: 8am-6pm (347) 305-3736 fairweatherbushwick.com

18 Kave Espresso Bar 119 Knickerbocker Ave Kave is an organic espresso bar serving all things coffee along with artisanal sandwiches on croissant and baguette. Vegan-friendly with free WIFI and a beautiful cobblestone courtyard. Open daily 8am-8pm (718) 360-8685 kavebrooklyn.com

19 Milk & Pull

778 Seneca Ave Milk & Pull is high-grade espresso bar; serving Stumptown Coffee, specialty sandwiches and pastries. Open daily 7am-7pm (718) 821-1155 milkandpull.com

20 Milk & Pull

181 Irving Ave Milk & Pull is high-grade espresso bar; serving Stumptown Coffee, specialty sandwiches and pastries. Open daily 7am-6pm (347) 627-8511 milkandpull.com

21 Stateside Bushwick

203 Wilson Ave Stateside Bushwick is a cute and cozy coffee shop that prides itself on great coffee and a welcoming vibe. Whether you’re on the run or staying for a while, Stateside has exactly what you want in a local coffee shop. Open daily 7:30am-6pm (646) 263-5624 statesidebushwick.com

BUSHWICK DISCOVERY MAP

M I N D & B O DY

SHOPPING

22 Daya Yoga Studio

26 Chess & the Sphinx

360 Jefferson St Daya Yoga Studio offers a variety of group classes including Power Yoga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Restorative + Reiki, Kripalu, Ashtanga, Yin and Zumba. Private Sessions available as well. Open daily 7am-10pm (718) 406-7912 dayayogastudio.com

23 La Luz

135 Thames St La Luz offers a creative space for artistic expression and physical training. La Luz houses 2 studios, a store and a theater with classes and rentals for rehearsals, photo/ video shoots, and shows. Open 24/7 (917) 924-2525 laluznyc.com

OFFICES & STUDIOS 24 Brooklyn Fire Proof

119 Ingraham St, Ste 202 Brooklyn Fire Proof is a creative spaces company providing art galleries, artist workspaces, as well as full-service film and television sound stages. Open 24/7 brooklynfireproof.com

25 THE 1896

592 Johnson Ave The 1896 Art Studios & Film Stages is comprised of 26,000 sq ft of raw warehouse space and functions as 24-hr work spaces for both the fine art and film world. Open 24/7 (718) 451-6531 the1896.com

252 Knickerbocker Ave Chess & the Sphinx is a women’s vintage clothing boutique carrying fashions from the 1900s through the 1990s. Open M-Sa:12pm-8pm, Su:12pm-7pm (718) 366-2195 chessandthesphinx.com

27 CSI Rentals Bushwick

1138 Flushing Ave Your one stop shop for all photo & video equipment rentals and expendables in Bushwick. Open M-W:8am-6pm, Th:8am7pm, F:8am-1pm, Sa-Su:CLD (718) 366-7368 csirentals.com

28 CSI Rentals Manhattan

133 W 19 St Your one stop shop for all photo & video equipment rentals and expendables in Manhattan. Open M-W:8am-6pm, Th:8am-7pm, F:8am-1pm, Sa:CLD, Su:10a-5p (212) 243-7368 csirentals.com

29 Harvest Cyclery

1158 Myrtle Ave Harvest Cyclery is a full-service bicycle repair shop and vintage bicycle showroom specializing in mechanical and cosmetic restoration of vintage, custom, and antique bicycles. Open daily 12pm-8pm (929) 234-3555 harvestcyclery.com

30 Henry’s Wine & Spirit

69 Central Ave Henry’s Wine & Spirit offers a friendly environment to buy diverse and eclectic wines and spirits at great prices. Many natural, biodynamic, organic and small production wines with weekly wine tastings. Open M-Th:2pm-11pm, F-Sa:12pm-12am, Su:12pm-9pm (347) 435-0070 henrysbk.com

31 Hops and Hocks

2 Morgan Ave Hops and Hocks is a craft beer, charcuterie, cheese and local provisions shop on Morgan Avenue at Flushing in Bushwick, two blocks from the Morgan L Train. Open M:11am-9pm, Tu:9:30am-9pm, W-Sa:9:30am-10pm, Su:10am-9pm (718) 456-4677 hopsandhocks.com

32 Molasses Books

770 Hart St Molasses is a used bookstore/cafe & bar which regularly hosts readings, book launches, DJs, and other parties. Open til at least midnight but often all night. Trade books in for a bar tab! Open daily 10am-Midnight (631) 882-5188 @molassesbooks

Central CAFÉ Brooklyn

DINNER

WINE BAR COFFEE SHOP GARDEN

DANCING

108 CENTRAL AVE BROOKLYN, NY 718-497-3028

•

DRINKS •

ART

BEER + WINE || BREAKFAST ALL DAY TH-SAT 2 SMALL PLATES + 1 DRINK FOR $16

CENTRAL STATION

Come daily for coffee and sandwiches in our beautiful garden, brunch with bellinis on weekends, and now, join us with chef Brian Baskoff Thursday-Saturday evenings for 2 small plates (like vegan lobster rolls, pickled veggies and pulled pork) with beer or wine for just $16!

BUSHWICK, BK

84 CENTRAL AVE

POEM

by Mariela Regalado Photograph of Carlton Scott Sturgill’s Installation by Katarina Hybenova

She was the mother I always wanted Elegant, hipster, eloquent, English speaking, Her Streets paved with yuppie cash--she always had something for us to do. Resources plentiful, takes me to eat, drink, picnic under the skyscraper lights, wine and dine after class, bike ride by the north side pier, come! Meet me by the first door, second car on the Bedford Avenue platform get ready for the next adventure! She was the mother I was given, hands resembled the color of dirt. Hard working, barefoot, Mi Negra, So Caring. Filled our time with quality, allowed me to dip my toes in the river on our walks to school. Sheltered me from the storm, the claps of thunder that would rumble and shake me awake. Times spent with her in Puerto Plata were simple, I always felt her love. She was the mother I always wanted. She claimed me a Brooklyn girl! I willingly sold her 44

my soul a long time ago. Curly hair and beat up chucks, hipster dreams accompanied by a Marcy projects bank account. Navigating my duality, wondering where to fit in, I let the waves push me into my next destination; she never taught me how to swim. I remember her, tugs at my strings, challenges my insides... Mi Quisqueya la Bella. My heart will always belong to you. She was the mother I was given. Taught me how to respect this Earth, for it will give to me what I give to her. Proud of the scratches and scars that adorn my skin, falling off trees as I threw mangos to the kids waiting underneath. Scraped knees from kneeling in riceall those times Papi punished me for not paying attention. Creator, thank her Mother, love her Teacher, learned her Set the bar high, surpassed her Nurtured this American brain Cultivated mi corazón Latino She was the mother I always wanted, She was the mother I was given.