What Black-Owned Brooklyn Creators Cynthia Gordy Giwa and Tayo Giwa Can’t Live Without

Cynthia

Nicole Mebaneis primarily a jewelry designer, but last month she pivoted to makingmasksbecause there was a need for that. They’re really fresh and cute. She uses African textiles and tie-dyes and has33 different patternsinspired by nature, gemstones, and the cosmos. I like howface maskshave become a vehicle for self-expression; we have to wear them to keep ourselves and our communities safe, but you might as well do it with a little style. We have a ton offace masksin our house. Most are just plain, but then I have a few Ultraviolet ones to add a little razzle-dazzle to our walks.

In the summertime, I pretty much live in clothes fromMartine’s Dream. The line, designed by Debbie Hardy, is full of flowy, fluid, easy-to-weardresses, skirts, and jumpsuits in colorful fabrics from her world travels. Debbie calls them “sun clothes.” One of my favorite pieces is the ReneeJumpsuit, a denim, wide-leg, one-piece that is a complete look unto itself. It makes me feel a little bit mighty, like Rosie the Riveter.

I get compliments on thisAshaka Givensbrooch all the time, because it’s beautiful but also a little subversive. It’s a spin on the Edwardian cameo brooch — it has the same antique setting, but instead of the white alabaster woman, there’s a Black woman withnatural hairand hoop earrings. It looks like a typical cameo until you get up close. I like to surprise people in that way. My brooch has a gold setting, purple background, and black cameo. I pop it on when I’m wearing something plain and simple, because it makes everything more interesting.

This is mygo-to bagfor running errands, because it’s very roomy and utilitarian but it’s also beautiful. Tayo uses it, too, when he goes ongrocery runs, because it can fit a lot and is incredibly sturdy. When I have a lot to do and a lot of things to carry around I always feel really good about using a tote that looks stylish. It’s also reversible: It has this lush, vivid orange-and-blue pattern on one side and a more neutral black-and-white Nigerian textile on the other side. Theminimalistpattern is more my style, but I like the option to reverse it for more of a pop.Cee Cee’s Closet NYCco-founders and sisters, Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo, source directly from artisan partners in Nigeria.

Textile artistRochelle Negronhas a ton ofpennantswith affirmations. I chose this one to hang in our living room. I think it’s an affirming and welcoming message for our family to be surrounded by every day, especially now. We’ve beenworking from homethe past three months, and we also have a1-year-old, so every day is like complete chaos — not to mention everything that’s going on in society withanti-Blacknessandpolice violence. But the pennant has a double meaning: It’s also meant to acknowledge struggle and persevering through tough circumstances. You can celebrate that you’re still here and you can show up even when it’s hard. It’s been a very grounding and centering meditation for me to sit with at this time.

Tayo

Thebean pieoriginated from Black American Muslim members of the Nation of Islam, so it has been a staple in Black communities for a long time. It’s something that is traditionally sold on the street, but atAbu’s Bakery, which is owned by Idris Braithwaite, they’ve perfected it. Abu’s version has a really custardy texture and perfectly toasted crust. They also make a peach cobbler that is fantastic, and a lot of otherpies, including sweet potato, that are really delicious. But our favorite is the bean pie, because it’s their classic.

Moshoodis the name of the designer, but also the name of his store and streetwear brand. He’s a beloved, iconic figure in the community and ubiquitous through Black Brooklyn: You see the logo and you know that’s Moshood. He recently moved to a store in Bed-Stuy, but his original store in Fort Greene rose to prominence in the ’90s, when Fort Greene was a mecca for Black creatives. At some pointErykah Baduwas living in the apartment above his store, and you can find pictures ofStevie Wonderwearing his clothes. Whenever I wear thisshirt, I’ll always see other people wearing it. I have the white face on black, but they come in alldifferent colors— red, yellow, green, and some with the Pan-African flag. He doesn’t necessarily make all the styles continuously or annually, so when he has a unique style you have to run and grab it because you might never see that style again.

I’ve loved Jamaican patties since I was a little kid. They were the kind of delicious snack my parents would buy in bulk and put in the freezer, because they’re easy to heat up.Branch Pattyis run by ahusband-and-wife team, Samuel Branch and Lisa Lloyd-Branch. They usually sell the patties out of Artists and Fleas in Williamsburg, but they also deliver throughout Brooklyn. I love how they’ve elevated the Jamaican patty from something that is sold as a street food in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large to a delicious, buttery morsels made with fresh ingredients and no mystery meat or fillers. They come in a range of flavors, but my favorites are the curry-chickpea and the seasonal-greens patties. We order them by the dozen. I would not order fewer than that because you’ll be disappointed when you eat them really quickly. I could easily eat three in a sitting, but if I’m being responsible, I’ll eat two.

A couple of years ago we made the decision to only buy all-natural body products fromBlack-ownedbrands. Beauty and skin care is a huge industry making a lot of money, but there are all these small vendors in our community who are making the same high-quality products. And we think buying from thosesmall local vendorsis a really easy way to support and circulate money within our community. We’re constantly looking for small-batch skin-care products, andIE Spa Indulgencesmakes a really great body butter. It literally feels like it’s melting on your skin. Every day after I shower, I use the unscentedbody butter, which is a blend of shea and cocoa butter and has just the faintest hint of a cocoa scent. My skin looks healthy and young and glistening when I put it on.

Brooklyn Teais a teahouse in Bed-Stuy that’s run by a young couple named Jamila McGill and Alfonso Wright. They also have anonline storewhere you can buy their original teas. The vanilla rooibos is a South African bushteathat’s their own blend — they add slivers of almond and vanilla bean. It’s really smooth and has a slightly sweet, elegant flavor. I typically add a splash of cream to it, and you can also chill it to make delicious iced tea. With coronavirus restrictions, you can order online, but I highly recommend going to the store once people are able to because they’ve created such an awesome environment. It’s really a community space where folks go to hang out; you feel like you know the people who go there, and they really make it feel like home.