Google, Amex reveal mural to
promote local black-owned biz
BY JADA CAMILLE
Northern Brooklynites
can do their holiday shopping
from the sidewalk this season,
as two companies have teamed
up to bring a massive mural
of for-sale items to the area,
which will help promote seven
local black-owned small businesses
during the purchasing
rush.
Google and American Express
helped erect the mural
at the corner of Bogart Street
and Grattan Street in East
Williamsburg, which features
“tagged” products, such a hat
or fl ower pot, that people can
purchase with a few taps on
their phones.
The cartoonish versions of
the for-sale products feature
an animated price tag, letting
would-be customers know that
a real version of that product
is for sale.
Passersby can point their
camera, using the Google app,
at any tagged product, which
will link them directly to a
for-sale item produced by a local
black-owned business.
Brooklyn’s newest hypercapitalist
The new mural in Williamsburg. Google
Downtown brightens up!
COURIER L 32 IFE, NOV. 26–DEC. 2, 2021
mural is just one of
four which the two companies
unveiled on Monday — as Boston,
Chicago, and Los Angeles
all saw similar marketing
campaigns erected in their respective
cities.
Filipina-American artist
Kitkat Pecson painted Kings
County’s version of the artwork,
which stands at nearly
16-feet by 40-feet tall.
Pecson had infl uence over
which local businesses would
be featured in the work, which
include:
• Trade Street Jam Co.
• Coming Soon
• Lockwood
• My Little Magic Shop
• Hudson Wilder
• Chillhouse
• Aunts et Uncles
BROOKLYN
Elizabeth Rutledge, chief
marketing offi cer at American
Express, said that the
mural would have a signifi -
cant effect on the affected
small businesses — at a time
when mom-and-pop shops are
struggling to stay afl oat.
“We’re rallying consumers
to help deliver a strong
holiday season for small businesses
in communities across
the country. It’s so important
to support our favorite
small businesses not only on
Small Business Saturday but
throughout the holiday season
and all year long,” said
Rutledge.
Nicole and Michael Nicholas,
who own Aunts et Uncles,
a local vegan restaurant that
will be featured in the mural,
praised the effort for its focus
on local communities.
“The past year has presented
unique challenges for
small business owners across
the country. It has never been
more vital to support the
small businesses that make
our communities unique and
contribute to the culture of
our neighborhoods,” said Nicole
and Michael Nicholas.
“We are honored to be participating
in small business Saturday.
It provides us with an
opportunity to connect with
our local community and remind
them to get out and shop
small all holiday season.”
BY BEN VERDE
It’s a beloved holiday tradition!
Downtown Brooklynites
were treated to a dazzling display
of holiday cheer on Nov.
18 at the annual holiday season
kickoff at Albee Square.
Downtown Brooklyn boosters
lit up a sizable Christmas
tree and put on a number of
performances for spectators
at the pedestrian plaza on Fulton
Street.
The event, hosted by the
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership,
saw performances from
a hula hooper, stilt walkers,
a juggler, and a poi spinner,
with the Brooklyn-United
Youth Marching Band closing
out the evening.
The night also featured a
lamp dance in observation of
Diwali, led by artist Aeilushi
Mistry, which featured each
participant holding onto two
LED lights and dancing in a
circle.
“We’ve been through a lot
so you should really feel proud
that we are celebrating this
moment of togetherness in a
very safe way,” Mistry told
participants.
The Albee Square extravaganza
marks the kickoff of festive
lightings across the borough
this holiday season.
Small fortune
Holiday season kicks off with Albee Square tree lighting
(Left to right) A freshly-lit Christmas tree shines on Fulton Mall during
Downtown Brooklyn’s annual holiday kickoff in Albee Square on Nov. 18.
The Brooklyn United youth marching band performs. A stilt walker entertains
the crowd. Photos by Paul Frangipane