Keys to New York
New York is a city of non-stop energy – from its skyscrapers to the dense multicultural population walking its crowded streets. The concrete jungle offers a host of eco-conscious destinations and thoughtful shops. Join our curators and eco-entrepreneurs as they share the local people and spaces that inspire their Keys to New York.
New York Curators
Céline Semaan
Executive Director, VP System Design of Slow Factory, Co-host of All of The Above TV
Céline is the Executive Director of the Slow Factory, a non-profit school and lab dedicated to community and sustainability literacy. Her passion to bridge the gap between environmental sustainability and human rights through the power of knowledge led her to launch many programs based on the system design including the far-reaching Open Education program. Open Education is an online program taught and led by Black, Brown, Indigenous and people of the global majority designed for BIPOC students to learn about climate crisis, human rights and racial justice. Discover Céline Semaan's places that inspire in New York, including:
- Alive Structures
- LoMar Farms
- Dusty Rose
- LikeMindedObjects
Dominique Drakeford
Founder of Melanin & Sustainable Style, Co-Founder of Sustainable Brooklyn, Co-Host of Podcast Kale and Cognac
Dominique is a content creator and co-founder of Sustainable Brooklyn. Her passion lies at the intersection of sustainability and style – encouraging environmental stewardship, community advocacy and economic development. Sustainable Brooklyn is an organization that works to bridge the gap between the sustainability movement and targeted communities. She also runs Melanin and Sustainable Style, a website dedicated to shining a spotlight on non-white fashion designers and advocates. Lately she’s helped produce The Root, a six part podcast series about the mission to decolonize the sustainable fashion industry. Discover Dominique Drakeford's places that inspire in New York, including:
- Byas & Leon
- Brooklyn Tea
- Sol Sips
Lauren Singer
Founder and CEO of Package Free
Lauren is the founder and CEO of Package Free, a shop that is on a mission to make the world less trashy. They sell products that make it easy to integrate sustainability into daily life. From home to health and beauty, Singer has rounded up the best in environmentally-conscious goods. She is also the founder of Trash is for Tossers, a website documenting the start of her journey towards reducing her own waste. Discover Lauren Singer's places that inspire in New York, including:
- Beacon’s Closet
- The Lower East Side Ecology Center
- LeLand
Sophia Li
Journalist, Director, Co-host of All of the Above
Sophia is a multimedia journalist, film director, environmental advocate and co-host of All of The Above TV educating audiences on how to help mitigate climate change through personal and collective action. After years of demonstrating activism through writing for fashion publications, she has upped the ante by setting her sights on environmental education, literacy, and activism. Her dedication to empowering individuals to feel a sense of responsibility to the planet is a hallmark of every facet of her work. Discover Sophia Li's places that inspire in New York, including:
- Precycle
- Celsious
- Gotham Greens