Top Five - Spaces in NYC

Black-owned camera shop + film lab turned 1,500-sq-ft flagship—great for photo walks, zine drops, and pop-ups.

IG: @photodom.nyc · Map it: 1717 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11207

Why it matters: a grassroots hub for NYC’s analog scene that keeps scaling without losing the DIY spirit.

Artist Christophe Roberts’ cafe + concept store + gallery—fashion, plants, digital art, and programming under one roof.

IG: @seedbrklyn · Map it: 1217 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Why it matters: a stylish Black-led retail-meets-arts space that doubles as a hangout for local creatives.

Reading room, archive, and community care space with 5k+ books by Black women & nonbinary writers; weekly swaps + workshops.

IG: @thefreeblackwomenslibrary · Map it: 226 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Why it matters: a living, low-barrier cultural institution built by and for the community. 

Stephanie Baptist’s boutique gallery centering early-career Black and diaspora artists; intimate shows + pop-ups citywide.

IG: @mediumtings · Where: pop-ups; join the list for the next one

Why it matters: a nimble, curator-led platform that keeps discovery front and center. 

Majora Carter’s revival of a 1908 Cass Gilbert train station into a music/talk/art venue with regular neighborhood programming.

IG: @bronxlandia · Map it: 910 Hunts Point Ave, Bronx, NY 10474

Why it matters: a South Bronx–rooted stage proving culture doesn’t need to leave the borough to thrive.