Black History Month – Highlighting Families Building Legacies Rooted in Love.
Happy Black History Month, Fam! This year, we’re paying homage to the rich history of the past while celebrating the change-makers of the future. For the entire month of February, we’re highlighting couples, siblings, and families building a legacy rooted in Black love that are making history in their own way. Get ready for weekly stories from clothing designers, restaurant owners, creative artists, and more. Support these business owners and also let us know in the comments if there’s anyone you’d like for us to highlight next year! Wishing you a month of Black love, Black pride, and reminders that Black History is truly happening every day.
Meet the Co-Founders of Aunts et Uncles
Nicole and Michael Nicholas
Location: Flatbush, Brooklyn
Their Story: Aunts et Uncles is a Caribbean infused vegan cafe in the heart of Flatbush that feels like the home of your cool aunt and uncle. Owners Michael and Nicole Nicholas say they created this space to give their community a space where can create and also explore healthier options.
Black Love: How did the concept of Aunts et Uncles come to be?
Nicole: The concept of Aunts et Uncles existed without its name for quite some time. As creatives, we are always looking for amazing experiences. Mike and I used to look for spaces where we could get our work done outside of our home that gave us inspiration. In our adventures, we would find places that may have been esthetically cool, but they missed the warmth, connection and representation of ourselves. In our past business ventures, whether it be events, pop-ups or even good ole family gatherings; making sure our guests felt seen, represented and special has always been at the top of the list. We wanted a space that could exist outside of our apartment where our friends, family and community could feel wonderful in.
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Black Love: Share your earliest memory of Black History Month.
Nicole: My first memories of Black History Month all exist in my interactions with my Uncle Gus. He always made sure we knew our Black leaders, he had a big map of Africa and he made sure we knew its Geography. My uncle Gus and his buddy Trevor owned a space called “Basement Recordings” there lived so many posters of Black Kings and Queens. Stevie Wonder, Marcus Garvey, and Malcom X. Looking back, I understand what spaces where we can see ourselves mean, and how they contribute to our confidence and the true history of people of Color.
Black Love: The impact that aunts and uncles have in the Black community helps mold you into the person you become. What do you hope people become when visiting Aunts et Uncles?
Nicole and Michael: We hope that people become who they have sought out to be, with the understanding that in a lifetime that can be Anything! Beautiful versions of self, each one hopefully better and more beautiful than the one before.
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Black Love: How have your aunts and uncles impacted your life?
Nicole and Michael: I think we can say that our aunts and uncles were a softer version of our parents. They lead by example, yet still offered a different perspective than they did. They held space for us to fall and get back up never standing too far behind. We are forever grateful for that bond.
Black Love: Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy; how do you encourage each other in those moments?
Nicole and Michael: In the most frustrating times one thing that never waivers is the joy we share in the fact that Aunts et Uncles exists. We always knew that we wanted a space like this in our Neighborhood, but our supporters solidify all the time by letting us know that we needed a space like this. Knowing this keeps us going. It helps us to remember why we are here. To live a life without downs is a boring one. You will never know what you are capable of if there is nothing challenging you. We just make sure that we let each other know that no matter what, we’re in this together all the way.
Black Love: Talk to me about the importance of creating a vegan cafe and not forgetting your Caribbean roots.
Nicole and Michael: We don’t know a Caribbean person on earth that could ever steer clear of the magic in the spices, flavors and love put into Caribbean cooking. We wanted to be able to provide healthier eating habits but not at the sacrifice of thyme, pimento, and good good seasoning! We are well aware due to the loss of family members and friends over the years that food plays a HUGE role in our health. High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Cancer are just a few on the list of things that plague the black community. Eating to live doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice enjoying what you eat.
Black Love: Black Love goes beyond just romantic relationships; it’s the love we have for our people; how does it feel to build a legacy rooted in Black love together? It feels like a big ole Celebration.
Nicole and Michael: The love you give reigns supreme over all of the ugly in the world. The way we love as Black people. The way we laugh, the way we persevere, the way we exist is Magical. We forever want to be a part of that in whatever capacity we can.
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