We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nic Black. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with amber below.

Nic, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The story behind Queer BK began with a personal mission: as a Black queer creative, I was looking to make new queer friends and connect with like-minded people in Brooklyn. What I discovered was that while the queer community was already vibrant and present, it often lacked consistent, safe spaces to gather and connect.

I’m not here to build a community—it’s already here. My mission is to bring people together through exclusive and inclusive events that reflect the diversity of our community. From Black lesbian game nights to Queer Clay with Me sessions, I create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated. Queer BK is about fostering these genuine connections and ensuring that queer folks, especially those who are often marginalized, have spaces where they can thrive.

This journey is deeply meaningful because it’s about more than just events; it’s about creating joyful, affirming experiences where people can truly be themselves. Watching strangers become friends and seeing how our events uplift queer-friendly businesses in Brooklyn is what keeps me inspired to continue this work.

Amber, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey, I’m Nic just a girl from New York, an artist with a dream, and a passion for bringing people together. I’ve been hosting events for quite a while now. Growing up here, I spent years organizing music events because I’ve always been a creative at heart. But after a while, I realized that many spaces just weren’t safe or welcoming for someone like me—a Black queer creative. So, I decided to start creating my own spaces, places where people like me could feel at ease.

Then COVID came along, and I had to put things on pause. But after taking that break, I realized how much I missed those connections and wanted to meet new queer friends. That’s how Queer BK was born. Initially, it was just a way to make some new friends, but it quickly grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. I’m not here to build a new community because it already exists—I’m just creating spaces to bring us together, where we can feel seen and celebrated.

Queer BK is still fairly new, but it’s been growing faster than I could’ve ever expected. In just a few months, we’ve built a network of over 2,000 people, with our events and content reaching over 44,000 views last month. I’ve hosted everything from Black lesbian game nights to Queer Clay with Me sessions because it’s not just about having a good time—it’s about creating moments where people feel they truly belong.

With about 5 years of event planning and social media management experience, I’ve learned how to foster genuine connections. But really, it’s just me, someone who loves creating safe, inclusive, and exclusive spaces for the community. It’s about inclusivity, joy, and building real connections. Whether it’s a game night, a creative workshop, or an intimate event, Queer BK is all about making sure we have spaces where we can thrive together.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Honestly, building an audience for Queer BK came from my previous social media experience and understanding that it’s all about reaching the right people. I knew the niche I was targeting—queer individuals living in Brooklyn—so I used apps like Lex to connect with that specific group. I created group chats and promoted the Queer BK page by driving a call to action, telling people to follow the page to stay tuned for our upcoming events. It was all organic. I wasn’t focused on numbers. The key is knowing your audience—don’t worry about everyone else. Focus on the people who are genuinely interested in what you’re offering and speak to them directly. Building a community that connects is much more important than worrying about how big your following is.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One of the key resources that has deeply influenced my management and entrepreneurial philosophy is bell hooks’ teachings on love, especially the idea that love is an action word. Her work has shaped how I approach both the community engagement aspect of Queer BK and my leadership style. Love, in this context, isn’t just a feeling it’s something you actively do. It’s about caring for people, showing respect, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.

This mindset has helped me foster an authentic and supportive environment within Queer BK. I strive to embody love in everything I do from the events I organize to how I interact with my community. I’ve learned that when you prioritize love in your actions, whether it’s through building genuine connections or fostering collaboration, it leads to a much deeper sense of trust and engagement. It’s not just about getting people to follow or support your brand, but about creating real relationships and experiences that matter to them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @neptunicnb @queerbk