CapNY Changemakers: Deshanna Wiggins, CEO of the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce  

In the Capital District we have many individuals who are looking to improve our larger community in terms of mental and physical health, wealth, and connectivity. Here at CapNY we call those champions of advancement changemakers. One champion of change we’d like to highlight is returning Upstate NY native Deshanna Wiggins, CEO of the AlbanyContinue reading “CapNY Changemakers: Deshanna Wiggins, CEO of the Albany Black Chamber of Commerce  “

CapNY Changemakers: Introducing J’Vanay Santos

Being known affectionately (or maybe sardonically depending on the mood) as Smallbany, the Capital District is known for having a close-knit community with limited offerings but those of us in the know know that this is a misconception. Millennials have been working overtime to give this region a much needed reboot, bolstering niche communities rifeContinue reading “CapNY Changemakers: Introducing J’Vanay Santos”

Juneteenth in CapNY: 4 Changemakers Paving the Way

“Juneteenth is important because it is the beginning of our history.” – Lashawn Hawkins, Founder of the I Can Breathe and I Will Speak organization in Fulton County New York CapNY Celebrations June 19th. Many Americans know that date as Juneteenth, a federal holiday that acknowledges and commemorates the legal ending of slavery in theContinue reading “Juneteenth in CapNY: 4 Changemakers Paving the Way”

CapNY Eats: Independent Korean Restaurant Spotlight

It wasn’t that long ago in the CapNY where you would either have to have a Korean friend or personally know a Korean family to enjoy Korean Food in Upstate NY. ..(no longer)! Photo: Bon Vivant Photographe, Seoul Korean Restaurant They’d invite you over for a sit down style family meal consisting of white rice,Continue reading “CapNY Eats: Independent Korean Restaurant Spotlight”

CapNY Eats: 5 Droolworthy Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants

The plant-based food industry has boomed in recent years with myco-protein chik’n and beet burgers that bleed, branded with names like Beyond and Impossible suggesting we’re scaling new heights. Hello, Meatless Mondays The pandemic only sharpened growth with renewed interest in health conscious eating, efforts to reduce animal consumption (hello, meatless Mondays), and awareness ofContinue reading “CapNY Eats: 5 Droolworthy Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants”

Making an Impact: 3 Black Entrepreneurs in CapNY

Despite systemic barriers in place for marginalized communities, there are countless thriving Black-owned businesses in CapNY. Many use their resources to pay it forward, bettering the communities around them. Leaving a Legacy Whether it’s by combating poverty through transportation, supporting new business owners from marginalized groups, or creating a gym that welcomes those often leftContinue reading “Making an Impact: 3 Black Entrepreneurs in CapNY”

4 Millennial Changemakers in CapNY Housing

If you’ve spent time in Albany, there’s a chance that you’ve noticed a bright red ‘X’ on multiple buildings. Albany has a lot of homes that are currently vacant, dilapidated, and not up to safety codes. Seeing all of those properties that have great potential, you can’t help but to dream of all the possibilities,Continue reading “4 Millennial Changemakers in CapNY Housing”

5 Amazing CapNY Latin-Owned Restaurants

Welcome to our celebration of Latin-owned restaurants in CapNY! Schenectady-based, Honduran-born artist Oscar Bogran and I (Maureen Sager, Executive Director of ACE) explored a range of restaurants that are deeply inspired by Latin American heritage and culture. We tried things we’d NEVER dreamed of eating, and met amazing women who are running successful businesses andContinue reading “5 Amazing CapNY Latin-Owned Restaurants”

Arts on the Move: CapNY Creative Transplants

The myth of Upstate New York being a place where art and culture is lacking is officially over. In the last couple of years, not only have our own residents paved the way for arts to take the forefront, but the recent influx of urban creatives have helped the growth of arts communities. An UptickContinue reading “Arts on the Move: CapNY Creative Transplants”

5 CapNY Creative Side Hustlers You Need to Know About

In the last year COVID-19 has drastically altered the way we approach life and the ways in which we inhabit the world. For some it has made them more cautious, feeling the precarity of each passing moment. Others have become more appreciative of the present, embracing the opportunity to take an extended pause. Living inContinue reading “5 CapNY Creative Side Hustlers You Need to Know About”