Malaika Collective

Malaika Collective For us, by us. Malaika Apparel. "Malaika" means "angel" in Swahili. Malaika Apparel at it's core aims to embody a distinguishable form of revolution. and Ghana.

The apparel line is mainly purposed to help uplift, empower and ultimately bridge the gap within the Black/African diaspora. This brand is a practice that defies contemporary norms and aims to celebrate all people of color. The inspiration of Malaika Apparel is a challenge to the social conditions where Black representation is limited to its appropriation. Malaika Apparel is thus a call for agency

and the empowerment of the Black/African Diaspora. Envisioned in the spring of 2015, Rita Bunatal started to create designs that were inspired by the happiness, pain, frustration, joy, anger and excitement she felt in the midst of not only being a first generation African attending college, but also as a black woman living between the U.S. As a Communications Major, she was inspired by various misrepresentations of the narratives surrounding Black bodies in the media, as well as the misunderstanding of each other within the diaspora . Malaika Apparel is dedicated to exhibiting fearless pride. This space is a place where people of color can buy apparel that tells the story of Black/ POC excellence. Malaika Apparel also creates a space for allies to show their solidarity with the essential Pro-Black movements that are ongoing and extremely necessary. Through this brand, we hope to also create products that also focus on the complexities of identity formations. Currently, Rita Bunatal is a senior at Ithaca College pursuing her B.S. in Communication Management and Design with a Corporate Communications focus and minors in African Diaspora studies & Communication studies. She identifies as a Ghanaian - Kenyan American & a Pan-African womanist. She is also very interested in exploring the complex identity formations of young Africans who continue to live between Africa and the United States. The designs created will be inspired by the experiences of a young diasporan & woman of color hoping to merge both experiences through simple and powerful designs.

ALCHEMY SOCIETY IS MADE HERE. ✨This one is special.We’re welcoming .society to Made Here to help bring our Community Mem...
06/17/2026

ALCHEMY SOCIETY IS MADE HERE. ✨

This one is special.

We’re welcoming .society to Made Here to help bring our Community Memory Wall to life with

Led by , Alchemy Society creates reflective tools, intentional experiences, and gathering spaces that invite people to reconnect with their stories, their identities, and the communities that shaped them.

And this one feels close to home because Annyelica is part of the Malaika Co. family. We’ve had the honor of supporting her with branding and creative direction for Alchemy Society, and we cannot wait to show you more of what we’ve been building together soon. 👀

For Made Here, Alchemy Society will guide guests through a shared memory-making experience on Little West 12th Street. Throughout the day, you’ll be invited to pause, reflect, and add your own words, memories, wishes, and offerings to the wall.

A note. A memory. A hope. A thank-you. A piece of the story.

Together, we’ll create a living archive of what Juneteenth, creativity, community, and gathering mean in this moment.

Come leave something behind. Come be part of what we’re making together.

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

THE ARCHIVE IS MADE HERE. 📸✨We’re welcoming to Made Here for The Archive, our outdoor portrait station on Little West 1...
06/17/2026

THE ARCHIVE IS MADE HERE. 📸✨

We’re welcoming to Made Here for The Archive, our outdoor portrait station on Little West 12th Street in partnership with

Neriah is a Brooklyn-born commercial beauty and portrait photographer, lighting director, and educator whose work is centered on connection. His approach to photography is people-first, expressive, and full of care, creating images that help people feel seen, confident, and fully present in front of the camera.

At Made Here, he’ll be documenting the people who make the day what it is: artists, founders, friends, families, culture workers, neighbors, and everyone who pulls up ready to be part of the moment.

Come dressed like you want to be remembered. The Archive will be open during the day.

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

CONTENT CREATORS, COME CREATE WITH US. ✨We’re looking for content creators to help us capture the story of Made Here thi...
06/17/2026

CONTENT CREATORS, COME CREATE WITH US. ✨

We’re looking for content creators to help us capture the story of Made Here this Saturday on Little West 12th Street.

We need eyes on the moments that make a gathering feel alive: live music, community joy, vendor activations, behind-the-scenes setup, portraits, workshops, games, books, art, and all the small details that deserve to be remembered.

Made Here is a free Juneteenth gathering with the Meatpacking District centered on Black creative culture, community, and play. The day will bring together artists, hosts, DJs, facilitators, creators, Black-led brands, and community members for a full day outside.

If you love capturing real moments, people in motion, and the beauty of community coming together, we’d love to hear from you.

DM to create with us!

SOUNDS BY ✨We’re welcoming to Made Here, our free Juneteenth gathering with the Meatpacking District this Saturday on ...
06/16/2026

SOUNDS BY ✨

We’re welcoming to Made Here, our free Juneteenth gathering with the Meatpacking District this Saturday on Little West 12th Street.

Antoinette is a Brooklyn-based DJ, storyteller, and culture worker whose work traces the global movement of music, creativity, and community across Africa and the diaspora. Her practice is grounded in sound, memory, and cultural preservation, bringing people together through rhythm, curiosity, and care.

That kind of presence belongs at Made Here.

On June 20, she’ll help shape the sound of the block as we gather for a full day of music, live art, portraits, hands-on workshops, games, a Black author book exchange, special guests, and community activations.

Come ready to move. Come ready to listen. Come ready to feel the story in the sound. 🙂‍↕️

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District, NYC
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

MUSIC LOVERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU. 🎶✨We’re bringing + to Made Here for an interactive music discovery experience on Lit...
06/16/2026

MUSIC LOVERS, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU. 🎶✨

We’re bringing + to Made Here for an interactive music discovery experience on Little West 12th Street.

Listening Is Fundamental turns the art of music sampling into a bingo-style game rooted in R&B, Hip-Hop, memory, and friendly competition. It is the kind of activation where you hear a song, catch the sample, argue with your friends for a second, laugh, learn something, and suddenly realize how much Black music has been speaking across generations.

Egypt, a Newark-born and Brooklyn-based music curator, created Listening Is Fundamental as a way to make music discovery feel communal, playful, and educational. Through samples, storytelling, and close listening, the experience invites people to trace the connections between the songs we love and the artists who shaped them.

For this special Made Here edition, the activation will spotlight songs by Gemini artists and Kendrick Lamar’s discography, making it the perfect way to kick off Juneteenth weekend with music, community, and a little playful debate.

Come ready to listen closely. Come ready to test your music knowledge. Come ready to talk your little music talk. 🙂‍↕️

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District, NYC
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

HOST ANNOUNCEMENT ✨The mic is in good hands 🙂‍↕️We’re welcoming as co-host of Made Here, our free Juneteenth gathering ...
06/15/2026

HOST ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

The mic is in good hands 🙂‍↕️

We’re welcoming as co-host of Made Here, our free Juneteenth gathering with the Meatpacking District this Saturday on Little West 12th Street.

Ike is a comedian, artist, creator, and host whose work moves through culture, humor, style, and storytelling. He knows how to read a room, hold a crowd, keep the timing right, and make people feel like they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.

That’s the kind of energy we want on the block.

On June 20, Ike will help guide the day as Little West 12th Street fills with music, live art, portraits, hands-on workshops, games, a Black author book exchange, special guests, Black-led community activations, and plenty of moments to connect.

Come ready to gather. Come ready to play. Come ready to meet your people.

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District, NYC
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the 🎟️ deets

HOST ANNOUNCEMENT ✨The mic is in good hands 🙂‍↕️We’re welcoming as the co-host of Made Here, our free Juneteenth gather...
06/15/2026

HOST ANNOUNCEMENT ✨

The mic is in good hands 🙂‍↕️

We’re welcoming as the co-host of Made Here, our free Juneteenth gathering with the Meatpacking District.

Every good gathering needs somebody who can read the room, hold the crowd, keep the timing right, and still make the whole block laugh. Ike brings that exact kind of energy: sharp, warm, funny, stylish, and deeply in tune with the culture.

On June 20, he’ll be helping guide the day as Little West 12th Street fills with music, live art, portraits, workshops, games, a Black book exchange, special guests, and community activations.

Come ready to gather. Come ready to play. Come ready to meet your people.

And yes, the host will be keeping the function functioning. Beautifully. ✨

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

We are OUTSIDE next Saturday! 🕺🏾On June 20, we’re bringing live art to Little West 12th Street with Brooklyn artist .Her...
06/14/2026

We are OUTSIDE next Saturday! 🕺🏾

On June 20, we’re bringing live art to Little West 12th Street with Brooklyn artist .

Her work celebrates the beauty, presence, and imagination of people of color through watercolor, digital illustration, mixed media, and acrylic painting.

During Made Here, Krystal will be creating live as the block fills with music, portraits, workshops, games, books, and community.

Pull up and watch the piece come alive in real time.

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

IS MADE HERE. ✨On June 20, live art takes the block.We’re welcoming Brooklyn-born artist Krystal Porter, also known as ...
06/14/2026

IS MADE HERE. ✨

On June 20, live art takes the block.

We’re welcoming Brooklyn-born artist Krystal Porter, also known as , to Made Here for a live art installation on Little West 12th Street.

Through watercolor, digital illustration, mixed media, and acrylic painting, Krystal’s work honors the beauty, presence, and imagination of people of color. Her practice turns portraiture into memory, reflection, and celebration.

During Made Here, she’ll be creating in real time as the street fills with music, portraits, workshops, games, books, and community.

Come witness the piece unfold.

📍 Little West 12th Street, Meatpacking District
📅 Saturday, June 20
🕚 11 AM–6 PM
🎟 Free and open to the public

Comment JUNETEENTH and we’ll send you the RSVP link.

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