On Oct. 5, the Mott Haven shop Bronx Native celebrated seven years as a hub for advocacy, creativity and pride in the borough with its annual block party.
The event, which took place on Lincoln Avenue, featured vendors, food trucks and a DJ — complete with an official proclamation of Oct. 5, 2024, as “Bronx Native Day” by Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. Attendees browsed clothing, sweet treats and more from local makers, heard a poetry reading by local creatives and danced to Latin music until the nearby afterparty.
Founder Amaurys Grullon and his sister opened Bronx Native in 2017 as a “passion project” that was only supposed to be a two-week pop-up, he said.
“We never would’ve thought it’d come this far,” Grullon told the Bronx Times. “It turned into a movement.”
Despite the history of systemic oppression in the borough, “Things are good” in today’s Bronx, said Grullon. He sees more love for the Bronx than he did in his youth, as well as increased entrepreneurship by people from the borough. In business, as in all areas, Grullon said he wants to “make sure that it’s us” being represented.
Since its inception, Bronx Native has expanded its reach and influence. This year, the brand partnered with NYC Votes to increase voter participation in the Bronx, which has historically lagged behind the other boroughs — especially among young people — and is overall lower than it should be citywide.
At the event, attendees who registered to vote or filled out a pledge card committing to vote on Nov. 5 received a free hat or t-shirt designed by Bronx Native. Their summer kickoff event saw similar merch giveaways and the start of a social media campaign aimed at engaging more voters ahead of the all-important November election.
An NYC Votes staffer told the Bronx Times he often hears from people who have lost faith in the political system. While nearly everyone who spoke with NYC Votes walked away with their free merch, “I know people are skeptical,” he said.
Also speaking to that issue was Assembly Member Landon Dais, who represents a different district but stopped by sporting a Bronx Native “El Bronx” shirt after his kids’ baseball game.
Every time someone doesn’t vote, the district misses out on funding, Dais told the crowd. Simply put, elected officials respond and fund services in areas where voters are active, he said.
Vote NYC was not the only community group at the seven-year celebration. Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York, which in January launched an initiative to recruit more Bronx mentors, had a signup table for those interested in volunteering their time with young people. The organization hopes to be able to partner each Bronx youth with an adult from the Bronx. So far, staffers said they have signed on 40 mentors with a goal of 120.
Plenty of Bronx-based businesses were represented at the block party, including Nela Creative, founded by Daniela Hernandez, an artist who lives near Van Cortlandt Park. She displayed a colorful collection of hand-sewn journals, bookmarks and cards and said that accessibility of affordable writing and art supplies is critical, especially in the Bronx.
“We’re like the underdog in a way,” Hernandez said. “We’re trying to get the Bronx name out there.”
Anissa, a registered nurse and entrepreneur from the Bronx, brought her collection of CBD-based products under the name BX Wellness Co. Her balm, tincture and gummies do not contain high-inducing THC — they offer relief from pain, inflammation, anxiety, nausea and more, she said.
Through her work as a home health aide, Anissa said she sees people’s daily lifestyle and home environment, which led her to become more interested in holistic health. “You see so many people on medications they don’t need to be on necessarily,” she said.
Marko Kocic, who founded the brand Now U F—ed Up (NUFU), brought his original streetwear from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, to the Bronx — which included a t-shirt with images of Mayor Eric Adams under the word “bozo.”
Kocic told the Bronx Times he designed the shirt months ago, but since the mayor’s recent federal indictment on bribery and corruption charges, he has sold more than ever before. NUFU is a blend of art and fashion — “combining potty humor with looking fly,” he said.
On a day surrounded by friends, colleagues and supporters, Grullon said the past year or so has brought unforgettable experiences for him and the business. He held monthly open mic events at the shop, served as an ambassador for the city’s Dominican Day Parade, distributed free produce with Grassroots Grocery, helped publish an anthology of creative work by Bronx writers — and even fulfilled a lifelong dream of throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium in August 2023.
“I’ve always felt the Bronx was the most beautiful place on earth,” Grullon said.
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes