We had the good fortune of connecting with Giannie Couji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Giannie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started Ubikwist in 2014 because of the lack of diversity in magazines

What should our readers know about your business?
Ubikwist is a bi-annual publication that celebrates diversity. We are an international independent digital and print magazine and very proud of our team of talented contributors from around the world, we are still here because of our consistently progressive vision, it’s definitely not easy especially since the challenging pandemic but we are resilient and strongly believe in the evolution of the business with his ebbs and flows. I want the world to know that Ubikwist is an exceptional publication who highlights the people who are under represented and give them a more substantial platform than other mediums.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to visit Museums: The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Brooklyn Museum, New Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, The Guggenheim. ICP. MAD Museum, Cooper Hewitt

Art Galleries: My friend George Nelson Preston Museum of Art & Origins in Harlem
Nicola Vassell Gallery, Eric Firestone, Hauser & Wirth, Jeffrey Deitch, Sean Kelly Gallery, Jack Shainman,

Eating in some of my favorite spots: Belle Harlem, The Edge, The Baobab Gouygui, Ponty Bistro, Coppelia, Raoul’s , Rosarito, Harlem Café nyc, L’Abeille nyc, The Good Good (bar & Bistro)

Theatre: National Black Theatre, BAM

Booshops: Dashwood Books, McNally Jackson, Shakespeare & Co, Strand Bookstore

Dance: Alvin Ailey Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem

Movies: Film Forum, Angelika Film Center, Maysles Cinema, IFC Center

Magazines: Mulberry Iconic, Soho News International, Magazine Café, Casa magazines

Hang Out: wherever my friends Belinda Becker and Lina Bradford are Djing, (Belinda Temple bar, Dumbo House etc..)
My friend Lina Bradford @ Cafeteria on Friday night, The Lit Bar: Wine bar & Bookstore, the new hot spot in Brooklyn Babel Loft

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Massive shout out to Marielle Robaut who gave me my first gig in fashion, my friend and mentor Judy Blame, Jean-Paul Goude Edward Enninful, to all the models, photographers, hair and make up artists.

Website: www.ubikwistmag.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ubikwistmag/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ubikwist-magazine-17a399167/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com

Image Credits
Yes I have the rights and permission for the images Portrait by Photograph by Sean Waltrous Covers 11 Photograph: Leleita McKill 12 Photograph Maxim & Wilde 13 Photograph : Zenith Richards 14 Photograph: Sean Waltrous 15 Photograph: Zenith Rochards

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