When Chocolate City was in desperate need of authentic Black queer spaces, Brandon Burke and Shaun Mykals answered the call. These Black queer business owners saw an opportunity after the beloved gay bar The Bachelor’s Mill in Washington, D.C. closed in 2021. Burke and Mykals opened Thurst Lounge, designed specifically to celebrate the long overlooked Black LGBTQ+ community in the nation’s capital. This year, Thurst Lounge has became a safe haven for Black queer and trans folks to connect with good drinks, good music, and even better vibes. The dynamic duo already know a thing or two about hosting a good time—for 11 years, they collaborated on the nationally known event, Thursday Bliss: An Open Mic Night Experience. Now they are holding space for their own community and giving us life in the process. — J.S.M.