Cynthia Gordy and Glenn Alan – two Brooklyn residents have launched Black Owned Brooklyn to document and promote the black-owned businesses of New York City’s most populous borough. Their Instagram @blackownedbklyn is dedicated to curating and cataloguing exemplary black-owned businesses – and the people behind them – throughout Brooklyn.

Check out some of the business here – and if you’re ever in Brooklyn – make a visit…

The two founders have joined their experience to promote the best of Brooklyn’s thriving, independent businesses. Cynthia Gordy Giwa, editor-in-chief & co-founder is a marketing executive and award-winning former journalist with 15 years of media experience. As the first White House correspondent for Essence magazine, she has written extensively about issues at the intersection of race, culture and politics. Her work has also appeared in the Washington Post, NPR, Slate and The Root.

Glenn Alan, creative director & co-founder is a fashion executive with experience in merchandising, brand development and graphic design. A serious gastronome, he has worked as an apprentice in the kitchen of top chef Cesare Casella and spends much of his spare time experimenting with flavours and mastering new culinary techniques.

As the duo say: “Our goal is to put you on to the best in local food and drink, art, design, beauty, wellness and culture — and to build support for Black ventures.”