Chi Ossé (pictured above) City Council member, Crown Heights
How’s life right now? Life is in a net-positive equilibrium-slash-limbo. Things are good, but I’m always wanting better. Something I talk to my therapist about is sometimes it’s okay to just be good and not have something so crazy and exciting happening just yet. That’s kind of where I am right now; I’m at peace. I do think I might be getting the flu, though. But besides that, I’m good.
Konyin Ayuba
Creative director, Crown Heights
Gregory Werbowsky
Publicist, Beacon
I like your outfit.
Yeah, well, I went through a phase where I pretty much looked like David Rose from Schitt’s Creek. Like, to a T. But then I started working with this designer, Christopher John Rogers, and now I feel like my look is very artsy old lady.
Nicole Rufus
Recipe developer and writer, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Elizabeth Tapley Whitcomb
Jewelry designer, Red Hook
Ayo Balogun
Restaurant owner and chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant
What do you do after cooking?
Usually, I watch Frasier, but I’m also in a big Grand Designs phase right now. Every episode is about British people trying to build a house. They have these high hopes, and before you know it — boom, there’s a problem. It’s like a little soap opera every night.
Anikah Shaokat
Editor, Lower East Side
Luke Alvine
Restaurant manager, Ridgewood
Mar Español
Footwear designer, Williamsburg
Jake Swantko
Documentary filmmaker, Clinton Hill
Alex Eagleton
Artist, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Cara Friedman
Art director, Los Angeles
Mina Stone
Chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Did you meet anyone interesting?
Yes, this designer. She was dressed to the nines and such a cool, chatty woman. I loved hearing her talk about Nigeria and Lagos. Their social structure really reminds me of Greece. All the complaints she had about Nigerians are exactly the complaints I have about Greeks.
Gabriela Bonilla
Business manager, Astoria
Rebecca George
Aesthetician, Mill Basin
Tochi Fatima
Architect, South Bronx
Michael Moon
Software engineer, Downtown Brooklyn
Carla Finley
Baker, Clinton Hill
So you’re a baker?
Yes. I was at She Wolf and Il Buco before the pandemic, then everyone got laid off. Now I sell sourdough cinnamon rolls and focaccia on Instagram from my apartment — I have a little basket I lower to the street, which has made it much easier for me.
Lily Wan
Video producer and director, Fort Greene
Photographs by DeSean McClinton-Holland
Konyin Ayuba
Creative director, Crown Heights
Gregory Werbowsky
Publicist, Beacon
I like your outfit.
Yeah, well, I went through a phase where I pretty much looked like David Rose from Schitt’s Creek. Like, to a T. But then I started working with this designer, Christopher John Rogers, and now I feel like my look is very artsy old lady.
Nicole Rufus
Recipe developer and writer, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Elizabeth Tapley Whitcomb
Jewelry designer, Red Hook
Ayo Balogun
Restaurant owner and chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant
What do you do after cooking?
Usually, I watch Frasier, but I’m also in a big Grand Designs phase right now. Every episode is about British people trying to build a house. They have these high hopes, and before you know it — boom, there’s a problem. It’s like a little soap opera every night.
Anikah Shaokat
Editor, Lower East Side
Luke Alvine
Restaurant manager, Ridgewood
Mar Español
Footwear designer, Williamsburg
Jake Swantko
Documentary filmmaker, Clinton Hill
Alex Eagleton
Artist, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Cara Friedman
Art director, Los Angeles
Mina Stone
Chef, Bedford-Stuyvesant
Did you meet anyone interesting?
Yes, this designer. She was dressed to the nines and such a cool, chatty woman. I loved hearing her talk about Nigeria and Lagos. Their social structure really reminds me of Greece. All the complaints she had about Nigerians are exactly the complaints I have about Greeks.
Gabriela Bonilla
Business manager, Astoria
Rebecca George
Aesthetician, Mill Basin
Tochi Fatima
Architect, South Bronx
Michael Moon
Software engineer, Downtown Brooklyn
Carla Finley
Baker, Clinton Hill
So you’re a baker?
Yes. I was at She Wolf and Il Buco before the pandemic, then everyone got laid off. Now I sell sourdough cinnamon rolls and focaccia on Instagram from my apartment — I have a little basket I lower to the street, which has made it much easier for me.
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