Brooklyn Mavens use brand to celebrate & support diverse, local businesses

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Two Brooklyn ladies are using their brand to celebrate and support diverse local businesses. Lauren Riley and Merlyn Oliver launched the Brooklyn Mavens, a unique platform to highlight the borough. "We wanted to support all businesses in all aspects of what Brooklyn has to offer," Riley said. Riley and Oliver believe supporting Black-owned businesses is needed, especially since the area has changed over the years. "A lot of businesses need support, and so if you don't have someone there pushing for you, then who else is going to do it, right?" said Oliver. The Brooklyn Mavens have focused on uplifting Black-owned businesses, a choice driven by the rapid changes Brooklyn has undergone in recent years. Riley emphasized the need for such support. "They introduced Deia to their following, which helps us because we're kind of off the beaten path a little bit, so by collaborating with them, it really helps us in a big way," said Junn Joly, the owner of Deia, a lounge that opened in February. Joly says they knew exactly what was missing. "Seeing this neighborhood being gentrified, I was like we need a space that we can call our own," Joly explained. "It just felt like there was a need for us to establish ourselves in this community." Riley and Oliver say their mission goes beyond promoting businesses. They say it’s about reflecting the borough’s diverse culture and preserving its unique character by showcasing all cultures and businesses that are the foundation of the community. "