Bed-Stuy couple, business owners inspired by community to give $1,000 award

Two Bed-Stuy business owners who managed to keep their doors open during the pandemic with the help of the community, are now doing their part to give back in a big way - with a scholarship fund.

At Brooklyn Tea, the staff is serving up the perfect cup of fragrant teas and baked pastries.

It’s a tea shop that opened in 2018 in the heart of Brooklyn, which quickly became a popular communal space for customers to gather.

Co-founder Ali Wright calls the shop a childhood dream. "From the age of three years old, I was serving my mom tea. Tea has always been a part of my life and my childhood,” said Wright.

He partnered with his wife Jamila Wright to bring that dream to life. However, the onset of the pandemic made the once-bustling storefront take a turn for the worst.

The couple pivoted and took their business completely online where they garnered support from the community and saw a major spike in sales.

Inspired by the community’s willingness to lift them up through hard times, the two are doing their part to give back by pouring into the youth with their annual college scholarship.

Now in its third year, the Wrights are hoping the $1,000 award can serve as a reminder of the challenges they’ve overcome.