After moving from her hometown of Boston to New York City for college, Cleopatra Zuli saw that something was missing from the local dining experiences where thoughtful conversations were accidental and safe space often in short supply. Having used food to educate and empower queer communities of color and their allies for years, Cleo founded BLK Palate, a culinary art collective based in Best-Stuy curating purpose-driven dining experiences that honor the African diaspora, decolonize ideas around Black food, promote healing and wellness, and (typically) end with a dance party.