Ramon Roman and Christina de Giovanni are business partners and co-founders of The Emerald Dispensary, a community-focused cannabis company rooted in Brooklyn‚ Bushwick neighborhood. Their partnership brings together Roman's deep community ties with de Giovanni's entrepreneurial experience as founder of The Emerald Magazine. Together, they have expanded the Emerald brand beyond media and cannabis retail, establishing two The Emerald Bakery & Cafe locations in Brooklyn that further their commitment to community, culture, and local prosperity.

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The Nonbinarian Bookstore is a trans+, disabled, and Asian-owned queer bookstore, community space, and mutual aid initiative located in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Born from its Book Bike project, The Nonbinarian carries new, used, and free queer books, gifts, and resources while creating an accessible, mask-required third place rooted in queer liberation, disability justice, and collective care. Through free programming, community resources, and mobile book distribution, The Nonbinarian works to affirm and empower queer and trans people of all ages.

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Again Vintage is a Brooklyn-based shop and cafe located in Bed-Stuy, curating vintage, antique, retro, and sustainable objects for home, gifting, and everyday ritual. Blending thoughtful design with environmental consciousness, the shop brings together found pieces sourced from The Catskills, Japan, and the Mediterranean alongside new work from independent makers, with an emphasis on queer creatives, women, trans and GNC folks, and artists of color. Home to SUBLIME Coffee + Plant Potions, Again Vintage offers a warm, intentional space for beautiful objects, nourishing drinks, community gatherings, and the art of slowing down.

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Hive Mind Books is a queer-owned independent bookstore and coffee shop located in Bushwick, Brooklyn, dedicated to uplifting queer and trans writers, readers, and community. Stocking Brooklyn’s largest selection of books by queer and trans authors alongside thoughtfully curated general-interest titles, Hive Mind offers new, used, and discounted books, coffee, tea, snacks, and a welcoming place to gather. Through author readings, community events, and everyday neighborhood hospitality, Hive Mind creates a warm literary space rooted in queer culture, connection, and collective care.

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NYLA HOUSE, aka The Bougie Deli — serving real food made with intention. Home to the best breakfast sandwich in Brooklyn, plus fresh salads, heros, and a rotating pantry of small-batch goods. Come evening, we flip into Afties (Thursday–Sunday): a neighborhood bar program with wine, beer, and soju cocktails. Good food, good pours, all of it rooted in the block.

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Gladys Books & Wine is a black lesbian bookstore and wine bar set in historic Bed-Stuy! We offered selection of fiction, non-fiction, romance, memoirs, graphic novels and children's books written by, for, and about black women (lesbians, trans, queer, and straight) plus a selection of natural wine from black and queer owned wineries that cannot be beat!

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Haus of Femme is NYC’s first lesbian-owned beauty bar, a Bushwick-born nail salon and community space created for the gays, girls, and theys. Playful, expressive, and deeply rooted in queer beauty culture, Haus of Femme offers detailed manicures, Gel X, acrylics, builder gel, custom art, charms, bling, and signature services with names full of personality and wink. Located on Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn, the salon creates a welcoming space where self-expression, community care, and femme-forward creativity come together.

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Café con Libros is an intersectional feminist bookstore and coffee shop in Brooklyn, built around coffee, tea, books, and community. Through its carefully chosen titles, programming, and welcoming cafe space, Café con Libros creates a vibrant gathering place where women, girls, and non-binary folx feel centered, affirmed, and celebrated. Rooted in feminist politics, literary care, and neighborhood connection, the shop offers books, drinks, events, and community resources that invite visitors to read deeply, gather intentionally, and feel at home.

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Washington Square Park is one of New York City’s most iconic public spaces, rooted in the heart of Greenwich Village and animated by art, music, movement, and everyday gathering. Centered around its historic arch and beloved fountain, the park has long served as a place to linger, play, celebrate, demonstrate, and connect. With its layered history, creative spirit, and vibrant community life, Washington Square Park remains a living symbol of the city’s openness, energy, and collective expression.

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