EDITOR’S NOTE T his issue dives into the stories of the under-represented efforts of LGBTQ+-owned emerging brands, creatives, and entrepreneurs. For the team here at TrooRa, it is essential to highlight all business owners, especially those of the LGBTQ+ community, and provide their founders with this platform to share their passions, struggles, and stories. We want to ensure their representation within our community and continue to highlight and celebrate the extensive and fabulous contributions that their work has brought into the many industries we cover. By doing this, we also demonstrate LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs’ success and their ability to thrive in the business world while remaining true to their identity. Choosing the three covers for this issue was surprisingly effortless and straightforward. The three founders’ brands we favored to grace the three covers of our Summer 2023 issue share a very simple but powerful intention and objective that we here at TrooRa champion: being allies, not as a performative act limited to a specific time frame but rather a consistent effort to support and uplift marginalized communities. This colorful issue was a joy to complete through our research, interviews, designs, and layout placement. In our newly added section, “Troo Spotlight,” we bring the stories of three of my personal friends in the beauty industry, makeup artists and entrepreneurs Freddy Lopez and Mercedes Gramajo, and hair stylist Robert Douglas. In Home Design, Nigerian-born Stephanie Fintan, founder and creative director of Studio Fintan, based in Ontario, Canada, shares her focus on elevating living spaces through accessible e-design. Get ready to drool in Culinary as we bring you six features taking us through the experiences and stories of some established and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Be inspired by SF-based chocolatier Carol Gancia. Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson are co-owners of Cann Social Tonics, the best-selling THC Beverage in the U.S., and the no-nonsense Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza talks about all things food and more. In travel, contributing writer Filipa Araújo transports us with her mesmerizing imagery and writing in “Free to Travel Queer.” I am obsessed with Rich Mnisi and the Phluid project's initiatives, designs, and bold, colorful energy in fashion. This issue will dazzle and take you on a fun and colorful journey of learning about the revolutionary brands and entrepreneurs in the LGBTQ+ space. Be Inspired, enjoy et A+!
Trystanne Cunningham Executive Editor Creative Director Founder Dontae Blinks
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